Model 760 awful grouping.

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KillerB74

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Hi, I have a Remington model 760 in .243. I purchased the gun used a couple of years ago. Cosmetically it is great condition, but the grouping is terrible on it. I am talking about 9-10 inches! I know this is not typical of these rifles. I have tried two different new scopes on it. The current scope is a Bushnell Elite 3200. I have also had it to a gunsmith to check, he was shocked at how bad it was. The smithy is going to try touching up the crown, but he thinks it already looks good.
I need some advice as to what else to try to correct this as I do like the gun, and was hoping to pass it on to my son for his first hunting rifle.
What to do? New barrel or other options?

Thanks
 
Use small or tiny targets. Make sure the barrel is tight to the receiver. Pour a chamber cast and check the throat. Make sure the scope is not resting on the barrel or sights. Do not use see-thru scope covers. Use a heavier bullet. Make sure the chambering is .243 and not .244. Don't use a sling when sighting-in. Make sure the shooting rest is solid. Eliminate shooting error such as releasing the trigger too soon, flinching or raising your head from the stock.
 
I the scope/mounts are solid and good, I would examine the bore for a bulged barrel close to the muzzle.
 
1. Check the mounts
2. Try another scope
3. Try other ammo
4. Make sure the bbl nut is tight.
5. Make sure the butt stock is tight
6. Clean the bore/remove ALL copper
7. Check your shooting style from the bench/use sand bag rest
8. Three shots only/let bbl cool
9. Adjust trigger pull
10. Check the crown
11. Let some else shoot it

.
 
If the bore is clean, the scope bases and ring screws, and stock screw tight, and the scope proven on another rifle, the only thing left is the barrel/chamber condition. Determine that the bore is not over or undersized. Examine the fired brass for abnormalities in shape or condition that might indicate the chamber was incorrectly cut. Examine the lead for burrs. Most 760s I've shot will make 1.5 MOA with factory ammo, and I would consider anything worse than 2 MOA out of spec.
 
KillerB74 said:
I am talking about 9-10 inches!
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OK, I'll ask. A hundred yards? How proficient are you with a firearm? What are you using for a rest? How are your eyes? Look at all the other pointers above.

I've watched lots of people shoot 9 to 10 inch groups at a hundred yards and depending on steps you've taken to shrink this size, it could be normal.
 
Fall Guy said:
OK, I'll ask. A hundred yards? How proficient are you with a firearm? What are you using for a rest? How are your eyes? Look at all the other pointers above.

I've watched lots of people shoot 9 to 10 inch groups at a hundred yards and depending on steps you've taken to shrink this size, it could be normal.
Click to expand...

Guys, thanks for the ideas so far. I have been shooting at 100 yards. I have perfect vision and am an experienced shooter. I thought maybe it was me as well but had no problems with good groups on my 30-06 shot the same day etc. I have had two other people shoot it, one of them being a gunsmith with a range and shooting bench. It also shoots wild for him. I have tried bullet weights from 85gr up to 110gr.
The smithy is checking the crown, I will get him to check for a barrel bulge and loose tube. The rifle is clearly marked .243 Winchester, but I will get a cast done to confirm that it was not mis-made. I will keep you all posted with the findings!
 
Most problems i have had with accuracy were due to a dirty bore...

Bought an Win88 some years back for $200, because it grouped like a shotgun..Gave the bore a thorough scrubbing, and had a shooter...Easy as that.
 
captonion said:
Most problems i have had with accuracy were due to a dirty bore...

Bought an Win88 some years back for $200, because it grouped like a shotgun..Gave the bore a thorough scrubbing, and had a shooter...Easy as that.
Click to expand...

What process/products do you use for a deep cleaning? I have been using Hoppes solvent, wire bore brush in appropriate calibre and running patches through with a jag.
 
With the conditions you are describing, you can rule out all normal things that may increase group size an inch or so.
Has to (almost) be the bore, but I'm surprised a gunsmith didn't find the problem, visually.
You say you have changed scopes. Is it possible that both scopes are shot? A few months ago a fellow who came to the range with me, asked me to sight in two rifles for him. Tried the first rifle, wouldn't group and wouldn't adjust properly. I told him scope appears to be wonky, let's try the other rifle.
Same thing and when I told him that scope was gone, too, he thought I was full of bs.
Both scopes were Bushnell and he sent both in for warranty.
They fixed one and gave him a new one for the other scope he sent in. Thus, both scopes had gone kaput.
I have also had two good scopes go, in less than a year. One, also a 3200 Elite only a couple of years old was replaced with a new one by Bushnell.
 
KillerB74 said:
What process/products do you use for a deep cleaning? I have been using Hoppes solvent, wire bore brush in appropriate calibre and running patches through with a jag.
Click to expand...

I would bet this gun has never anything near a good cleaning. Get some Wipeout, use repeatedly with a patch in between applications. Hoppes is about the worst product on the shelf for cleaning, it's more of an air freshner.Laugh2
 
Take off the scope and start from basics. Use your irons and see how it shoots. Personally I can shoot most rifles into a 1-2inch group at 100 yards with irons. At least then you will have a staring point.
 
JJ-65 said:
I would bet this gun has never anything near a good cleaning. Get some Wipeout, use repeatedly with a patch in between applications. Hoppes is about the worst product on the shelf for cleaning, it's more of an air freshner.Laugh2
Click to expand...

Just looked up Wipeout, looks like great stuff. Where can you find it in Saskatchewan?
 
You can do a good cleaning with old tried and true Hoppes #9 too if thats all ya got on hand...I'd scrub the bore with a few good patches then a brush...patch it again...then I'd make a little POINTED PINE PLUG and tap it into the muzzle end of the barrel ..stand the gun up on end and fill the barrel with Hoppes and let it stand overnight! Make sure it's in a container or something to catch the liquid...JIC something fudges up. I've done this several times and had others who did it also on seriously dirty barrels...worked like a dream!

Pine is VERY soft...easy to whittle down....don't require a lot of tapping and swells great when it gets wet!!

FYI...we plugged a hole in our lobster boats oil pan while at sea with a pc of pine...got us back in to the wharf a little late..but it worked :D !!
 
kevin g said:
You can do a good cleaning with old tried and true Hoppes #9 too if thats all ya got on hand...I'd scrub the bore with a few good patches then a brush...patch it again...then I'd make a little POINTED PINE PLUG and tap it into the muzzle end of the barrel ..stand the gun up on end and fill the barrel with Hoppes and let it stand overnight! Make sure it's in a container or something to catch the liquid...JIC something fudges up. I've done this several times and had others who did it also on seriously dirty barrels...worked like a dream!

Pine is VERY soft...easy to whittle down....don't require a lot of tapping and swells great when it gets wet!!

FYI...we plugged a hole in our lobster boats oil pan while at sea with a pc of pine...got us back in to the wharf a little late..but it worked :D !!
Click to expand...

kevin g - That is great to know...thanks for the tip and the story. :)
 
Are the locking lugs worn? i saw a 760 a few years back that looked in mint condition, only problem is the previous owner had used dry graphite for lube! The lugs were so wore from crap in them the rifle wouldnt put 3 rounds in a 8x11 target at 100 yards.
 
760

I surprised to hear that. I own 3 old 760's. (2 are carbines and 1 is a standard rifle) They all shoot great especially the carbines, they shoot stupid accurate. Actually puts most of my bolts to shame at 100 yds. Good luck.
 
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