CZ858 Range Report /w .308, .311 and .312 reloads

[harbl_the_cat]

I'll post my target later, but I took my CZ to TSE with some Sierra 125gn SP .308 (dia) reloads and had at her.

My setup is a CZH2003 with NEA handguards, NcStar 4x32E scout scope and factory folding stock. No muzzle break.

Range was 50m, shooting seated with the barrel supported. Out of 5 - 3 round groups (and 1- 2 round group) the results were mixed. I did get 1 1" group, but the rest always had a flier - one as extreme as 6" or so.

There were 2 things I noticed.

1 - with the amount of creep in the trigger, it's hard to gauge the breaking point.

2 - maybe I need to man up or get more practice, but with the felt recoil, I found it difficult not to flinch. You always know when you flinch and pull a shot, and I knew it when I pulled a fair number of shots.

I shot my Norc CQ556 after and didn't have the same problems - and had no problem getting 1" groups with my Eotech out to 50m.

This leads me to 2 points - one, do I simply need more practice getting familiar with the CZ trigger and recoil to prevent flinching, or two, do I need any upgrades, accessories or tuneups?

Pics below

 

[308smk]

Get an inline stock, im running the rauch adapter and a magpul CTR. I barely even feel the recoil now.

 

[fat tony]

I would say respectfully you need more practice and how are you holding the rifle? I never had any problems with flinching /recoil hurting me with mine - the trigger takes some getting used to experiment with the placement of your index finger pad in different locations on the trigger face, you will find there is a 'sweet spot' - really like any other firearm. .308 bullets are fine but the bore is probably .312 across the grooves - this is not a Mini 30. Use your gunz budget on more ammo and get some quality trigger time. Best regards, Tony

edit: how much powder are you stuffing in those cases?

also my 858 has a fixed stock I don't know how the issue folders are for recoil - maybe you could put a limbsaver on the business end.

 

[Clobbersauras]

Flinching robs accuracy but I would suggest that your under bore loads are probably the more likely problem. 7,62x39 is as mentioned .311 not .308. You really need to slug the bore to be sure though. The bore size can vary slightly from rifle to rifle and it would be interesting to see bore size difference with the chrome lined and non-chrome lined barrels.

As mentioned the in-line stock may help but lots of practice with dummy rounds will help the flinching problem.

EDIT: Also try a new scope or try your eotech on the vz.

 

[Rugerman]

Flinching robs accuracy but I would suggest that your under bore loads are probably the more likely problem. 7,62x39 is as mentioned .311 not .308. You really need to slug the bore to be sure though. The bore size can vary slightly from rifle to rifle and it would be interesting to see bore size difference with the chrome lined and non-chrome lined barrels. . . .

.

I totally agree. Get some Hornady's or PMC's (fmj) of the proper calibre and you will see a difference right away.

 

[Perple_Nerple]

I totally agree. Get some Hornady's or PMC's (fmj) of the proper calibre and you will see a difference right away.

cant shoot FMJ at TSE

 

[harbl_the_cat]

You can shoot FMJ at TSE - you can't shoot steel core.

I was loading them with 25gn H4198.

 

[harbl_the_cat]

UPDATE: Original Picture (TSE Target)

Second Update - I tried again with 3 reloads different loads:
1. 116 gn .312 bullet (forgot the charge)
2. 125 gn .311 bullet, 25.3 gn H4198
3. 125 gn .308 bullet, 25.3 H4198

I shot 11 - 3 round groups.

Groups 1 and 2 were the .312 bullets - they were all over the place (4" to 6" groups)
Groups 3, 4 and 5 were with the .311 bullets. 1", 1.5" and 2" respectively (I was getting tired and "flinchy")

Groups 6 - 11 were with the .308 bullets, and I was quite impressed.
Group 6, was dead centre, 1"
Group 7, I did something funny and removed and reattached the handguard. I shot a 1" group, but was about an inch low
Group 8, I pulled a few, but still pulled out a 2" group
Group 9, same thing. I figured I was getting pretty tired by this point, and I was starting to rush, instead of take my time as I had with the first groups.
Group 10, I calmed down, took my time and landed a solid 1" grouping, about half an inch low
Group 11, I removed and reattached the hand guard again - and landed a 2" grouping that was again, a little bit low.

Conclusion - at 50m, with the NCStar 4x32E (illuminated reticule) - 125 gn .308 AND .311 bullets can get decent groupings, even after removing the NEA handguard - just really have to focus on your core marksmanship skills - breathing, controlled trigger squeeze, etc.