Inconsistent Grouping Question

mmattockx

mmattockx

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
100   0   0
Location
Done with sheeple
This is not really a precision question, but this group knows more about accuracy and consistency than anybody else around here, so here goes.

I have a BSA CF-2 in 6.5x55 for my deer rifle. I am not reloading for it yet (give me time), but it likes Federal blue box ammo and shoots more than adequately with it for game.

The problem is that the groups are fairly inconsistent. It will shoot 2 or 3 groups around 1.25", then one well under an inch, all at 100 yards. Best group so far was a 3/8" 3 shot group, worst has been maybe 1.5", if that. Is this an ammo problem with consistency through the box or a gun problem? Seems to me it should be ammo because the rifle should always group the same if the ammo is consistent.

So, is it factory ammo or my rifle?

Mark
 
Last edited:
Mark; I would say 'Stop worrying' and enjoy your rifle. If you have a hunting rifle that will shoot 1 1/2" groups with factory ammo you are laughing. You can no doubt tighten up the groups with some experimenting and hand loading but you are way ahead of the game already......wTc
 
Last edited:
I'm not worried about it, just wanting to know the cause. The thing is more accurate than I am and more than adequate for game, but I find the inconsistency annoying.

Mark
 
Your rifle is already more accurate than lots of hunting rifles out there. So now the challenge begins. Experimenting with different bullet wieghts, types of brass, powder charges, primer types, etc to try and find the ultimate combination for your particular rifle. Enjoy the process and best wishes......wTc
 
Could be you or the ammo. You could be twitching slightly. A slightly different hold, trigger pressure, etc.
Factory ammo isn't 100% consistent either though. Think in terms of a mass produced product. A slight variatiion in bullet weight, etc.
 
Check to see if the rifle is bedded, if not have it bedded. Assuming that you aren't the cause of the inconsistencies, bedding is the next best thing you can do.
 
Shoot a slow, very spaced out 10 shot group keeping barrel heat down, or 3 3 shot groups with the same aiming point. After that take a look at the group and look for all the possible random combinations of three shots you can find. You'll probably see a bunch of 1 1/2" groups, some that are worse and somewhere in the mess there will probably be 3 touching. 3 shot groups and random chance will eventually drive you crazy.;)
 
Last edited:
Without seeing the way the group is opening up it's difficult to tell.

Cheapest fixes first:

1) Make sure everything is tight (I've been nuked by this one a few times). Use a torque screw driver for the receiver screws, check that the scope bases and the rings are secure.

2) Check after shooting if the crosshair on your scope starts to vibrate. If so your scope is now a paperweight. Yes I've had this once. The scope went in the garbage and things took a turn for the better instantly.

3) Try a bunch of different ammo
4) Free float the barrel
5) Get the crown checked for burrs, chips etc
6) Trigger job
7) Bed the receiver
8) Bolt sleeved to tighten up the tolerances.
9) New barrel and have the action trued.

Hope this helps. I'm a firm believer in checking the cheap/easy fixes first before pouring money/time into it.
 
As others have said I would simply enjoy the rifle as it is. A 10 shot group from a hunting rifle means nothing, the real test would be one shot per day on a 100 yard target for 30 days. That will tell you what you can expect to do with a cold bore shot on demand.

If you can be self critical, set up an aiming target that you can dry fire on, and have an identical recording target beside you. Pay attention to whether or not your aim is disturbed each time the hammer falls, and mark your recording target with each shot paying close attention to the final position of the cross hair on the aiming target. Cheating tells you nothing. It will be interesting to see if the dry firing group is similar to the live fire group.

In order to improve your trigger control, set a coin on top of the barrel near the muzzle and attempt to dry fire without disturbing it. Begin with a quarter and as you improve switch to a dime. If you can dry fire a sporter with a dime on the barrel without dropping it, you exhibit very good trigger control. Either of these exercises can be done from any position.
 
Epoxy7 said:
Without seeing the way the group is opening up it's difficult to tell.

Cheapest fixes first:

1) Make sure everything is tight (I've been nuked by this one a few times). Use a torque screw driver for the receiver screws, check that the scope bases and the rings are secure.

2) Check after shooting if the crosshair on your scope starts to vibrate. If so your scope is now a paperweight. Yes I've had this once. The scope went in the garbage and things took a turn for the better instantly.

3) Try a bunch of different ammo
4) Free float the barrel
5) Get the crown checked for burrs, chips etc
6) Trigger job
7) Bed the receiver
8) Bolt sleeved to tighten up the tolerances.
9) New barrel and have the action trued.

Hope this helps. I'm a firm believer in checking the cheap/easy fixes first before pouring money/time into it.
Click to expand...

1) I checked the receiver screws for this after the first time out. Don't have a torque number for the screws or I would loosen them and re-torque properly.

2) I will pay attention to this next time out. It is a brand new Bushnell 3200, so I hope it's OK, but you never know.

3) Done that with all the ammo I have found locally. It hates Winchester Super-X, likes the Federal blue box and Federal Fusion line as well.

4) I was going to check this and forgot about it. I will check tonight after work.

5) Crown looks good to my eye, will check closer with a good light.

6-9) I am planning to bed the action this winter, the trigger is pretty good for a hunting gun and I wouldn't want it any lighter for field use. The rest will never happen on a hunting rifle. I think reloads and bedding will solve most of my issues.

Thanks for the help,
Mark
 
Boomer said:
As others have said I would simply enjoy the rifle as it is. A 10 shot group from a hunting rifle means nothing, the real test would be one shot per day on a 100 yard target for 30 days. That will tell you what you can expect to do with a cold bore shot on demand.
Click to expand...

I have done this, but on one day with 5-10 minutes between shots and it will shoot around 1.25-1.5" easily for 5 shot groups. As I said, it is more than adequate for game and I was mostly wanting to know if the factory ammo would be the source of the inconsistency, but it seems it could be a combination of a host of the usual suspects.

Mark
 
Modern factory ammo is actually very well made. The biggest culprit in the past has been less then accurate bullets and final assembly. There is no issue getting factory ammo today that will hold MOA. Somethings less - especially the varmint and match variety.

Definitely check the bedding and the pillars. Odds are this is a wood stocked rifle and the pillars, if they are there, are not secure. The bedding can also loosen over time if not properly bedded.

Get that done and I bet the rifle becomes much more consistent.

Jerry
 
I have had similar experiences with my savage .308 and found that finding the right ammo is key. My gun just likes 150 grain better than the 180, and federal seems to be doing the job. Just got back from the range and got some nice groups just over an inch. I have only shot this rifle about 100 times and mostly just having fun but just recently took my time and got it zeroed at 50m, so today i decided to sight her in at 100m and I was very happy to get some good groups. $450 for a gun and scope and it shoots 1 1/4 inch groups off a bipod with a total noob operator. I have been shooting my cz at 50m and can get 2 inch groups but that is with a cheap red dot. I am starting to enjoy non restricteds.
 
the real test would be one shot per day on a 100 yard target for 30 days. That will tell you what you can expect to do with a cold bore shot on demand.
Click to expand...

This is what always 'scares' me. An afternoon at the range using sandbags, shooting from a chair, barrel is warm, barrel gets dirty and I become more relaxed with each shot. There's no adrenalin in me, just caffine...

I go home happy with the results but when I've sat in the outdoors for a couple of hours and consider where my bullet may go from (if I'm lucky) a kneeling off-hand shot with a cold, clean barrel compared to the range...

I'd be happy hitting within 3" of where I aimed at 100 yards when I'm hunting. The range is another thing all together. I don't hand load either (yet). Once I start I will expect a lot more from myself and my 'equipment' at the range.
 
You bring up a good point. It is important to practice shooting like you would in the bush. I always take at least a couple shots standing, kneeling, and leaning on a post so that I can get an idea of where my shots might go in such a situation. It is more fun to hit bulls from a bench but you need to practice in real life situations. My groups always open up at least 3 inches when shooting like this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom