260 rem groups puzzling me!

J

J.S.G

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
22   0   0
Location
NE SASK.
I got a custom 260 rem built awhile back, thought I would try here. I'm shooting 4064 and 130 bergers. My 100yd group is 1/2" which I thought it should do better (I did do alot of load testing) so I shot at 200yds to see what was going on. To my surprise the groups were still a 1/2". What is happening here. They refuse to shoot under 1/2'' at 100yds.
 
Try at 300, 400 and beyond if they still shoot well why worry how they do at 100? Bullet stability may be a factor since they don't go to sleep until they are further downrange, somewhere around 200-250 yds.

I had a .223 Tikka that would shoot as well or better at 300m than it would at 100m (MOA wise, not group size)
 
I never had a chance to shoot it at 300yds . I was wondering if stability could be the problem but I never had experieced it only read about it or was I missing something else.
 
The guy that got me into shooting said (so this is not from my personal experience), that bullets tend to wobble around until they fall into what he called "parallel flight". I had thought that bullets spread out in a fan to make a cone. He indicated that they go out in a cone until 200 or 300 m when they tend to fly more parallel. This is why sometimes a 300m grouping and 600m grouping will be closer then should be.

I, on other hand, have found that I can shoot one hole groups... at 50m. I've never done it further then that. I find bullets spread out in a cone from my (much more limited) experience.
 
I shoot bergers in a few of my rifles and have never shot groups past 100 with them but they seem to be very accurate on gophers at the 300-400 yard mark. I was told that groups should be shot at 2 and 300 yards to really see what is going on with bergers as they dont really stabilize at 100
 
Same thing for me. I am shooting 168 bergers out of my 7mm and I'm shooting a rough 3/4 group at 100 and a tight more consistent 3/4 -7/8 at 200. Hoping to try at 300 soon.
 
I have had this happen to me with a couple different guns and some loads. 5/8" at 100 and 1/2 " at 200. This is group size, not MOA. Actually shot smaller groups at 200 than at 100. Must have something to do with bullet stability and the bullets "going to sleep" at the longer range. I would probably never have believed it if it hadn't happened to me.
 
I had a Nightforce NPR1 reticle. I don't think it was a scope problem. I'm going to try and shoot at 300 yds. Since you guys have had this actually happen to you, your probably right that it's a stablizing problem.Thanks for the help.
 
Todd, I have had some good coaching from a benchrest shooter over the last few years. Actually going to be entering my first BR shoot next weekend. Something that might interest you, the same gun builder built me a 20 br, w/ sporter stock and light varmint barrel for coyotes that shoots in the .2's and .3's. I would have to give more credit to great built guns than to my shooting though.
 
warrenb said:
Could it be big recticle syndrome? :)
Click to expand...

More a parallax problem.

If not adjusted properly, most scopes can have some degree of parallax at shorter distances which 'disappear' at longer ones.

Aiming error would be my guess on why groups at longer distances are smaller then shorter distances.

I will have to reread this section in Bryans book but feel that any bullet wiggle has to be pretty small or accuracy at any range will be poor.

Bullets tend not to shoot in curves if not affected by conditions.

I have not personally had the situation where 100yd groups were equal to or larger then 200yds groups
Jerry
 
Hey Jerry, I'm always carefull to remove parallax before I shoot from the bench. I have never run into this load testing before either. That's what has me puzzled. I do agree that shooting at 300 yds might give some insight. I do sence some doubt about my shooting ability or the guns ability. I do spend lots of time on the bench and the gun is a Borden Rimrock action,Jewell trigger, Mcmillan stock and Gaillard barrel. I've shot enough groups with it that I'm confident its not me (I think).
 
There are a number of results that don't always make sense. If they are repeatable and you are taking care of the variables (as best you can), enjoy.

1/2" at 200yds is fine shooting and great accuracy.

Unless you plan on spending all your time at 100yds, Does this quirk really matter?

You will be thrilled at how well this level of performance translates to LR accuracy.

Pop can sized targets at 600yds is very impressive

Glad the Berger 130's are working for you. Not a bullet that gets much air time but a very nice bullet indeed.

Another nice zapper is the 120's

Jerry
 
I have to say that I prefer short range accuracy over long range. I guess thats what intrigues me about BR. I see what it takes to shoot groups in the
.1's or less at 100-200yds. Shooting at 600-1000yds. I think would be a whole new animal to learn. I respect the guys that do it though.
 
I should mention, I have my 260 rem and 20br only set up to shoot game at 400 yds. max! That's the extent of my long range capability in the field, and thats with a ideal rest. I, by no means consider myself a long range shooter.
 
The 260Rem is definitely not your best option for SR BR but I am sure you already know that. It will however, hold its own at LR.

Just test at longer distances and tune accordingly. It does take some mucking to get things to work its best but that is half the fun.

I have a few articles in the Rifle Tech section of my website that might be of interest.

Enjoy...
Jerry
 
I have always been intrigued with the idea that a bullet that is 1/2" off center line at 100 yds can "steer" its way back into line by the time it gets to 200yds or beyond....can someone explain?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom