My factory hunting rifle shoots between .5"-.75" all day! Really? Prove it!

bearkilr said:
I keep mine in a pot of warm water, that way I can test to see if the primers seal at the same time. Is that strange or do y'all just do the cooler thing? Laugh2
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The groups I shot a few weeks ago, but were not within the parameters of this challenge, were given no quarter in terms of weather and temperature. It was cold that day at the range too. Stuffed a couple handwarmers in the top of my gloves to keep the feeling in my fingers. Looking forward to a range day with the temperature nearer a balmy 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
Was at the range on Saturday and gave this challenge a try .how ever I forgot to take my camera with me so the pic of the rifle is taken at home sitting on the bench bags that were used . the rifle is a Stevens 200 223 Rem with a rifle Basix sav 1 trigger added set at 3 lbs .scope is a Vortex diamondback 4-12 x 40mm on weaver rings and bases .the 5 three shot groups were shot without allowing the rifle to cool between groups . 15 consecutive shots .the ammo used was a 40 grain v-max seated on top of H335 cci sr primers and IVI brass .I didn't quite make the challenge but though I would post anyways .group 1 .086" group 2 .648" group 3 .650" group 4 .748" group 5 .827" average group .599" .
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Found the "factory hunting rifle" challenge yesterday so had to give it a try this morning. Did't have enough bullets made up to shoot all the groups with the same load, but it worked OK anyways. Three best groups were shot with 165 Sierra Game kings and the two )left side of target paper) were shot with 168 Brger VLD (H). The Bergers shoot better in warmer weather...but seldom as good as the Game Kings. Temp today was -7C with intermitent light snow and a mild cross wind from behind (a typical hunting day:)
Group sizes
.651
.724
.5
.442
.26
AVERAGE ::: 0.515 @ 100M
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Rifle is out-of-the-box TC ICON Weathershield chambered in 308 Win. I have had 3 Icons, and they all were decent shooters. Scope is Bushnell 4200 4 - 16 X 40.
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JEC, what make and model of firearm? What cartridge is the gun chambered and what type of shooting rests? For get it, I just shaw your second post. Great shooting! I guess your gun shoot's 3/4 and less all day!
 
I must have been posting the pic while you were asking for details..the rifle was sho0t for the "CHALLENGE" as you see it in the pic with a Caldwell Rock front rest and Edgewood rear bag. The Sierra Game Kings are the 165 BTHP in front of 44.0 gr Varget with an OAL of about 2.7" ...brass for these loads was Federal Gold Medal, primers are as always, CCI BR-2. The Berger VLDS are pushed by 43.5 gr Varget, but they obviously need a bit of tuning. They usually shoot about .6"
I originally bought 3 Icons --- all chambered in 308 and used two of them for builds. I could rely on all of them to shoot a bit under 3/4" at 100M as they came from the factory.
 
I think I have sent a private message to almost everyone who has attempted the three challenges asking them to add the required info to their post. Could everyone please make sure you have all the required info before you post it! And try to put all your info into just ONE post. You are able to edit your post if you forgot anything. So remember, before you post you read all the requirements in the original post. Thanks Rod
 
This is an example of how your posts should be.

Underthegun said:
I tried again today and failed. I keep getting one group over .75".
Here is my rifle. It is a Tikka T3 lite 30/06 using 185gr Berger VLD Hunting bullets with IMR 4064 powder.
IMG-20130202-00223.jpg


Here are my groups.

IMG-20130216-00275.jpg

.334" (smallest)
.749" I supplied a pic with a ruler in case anyone wants to check it with On-Target
1.037"
.552"
.638"

.662" average

Here is my small group .642"-.308"=.334"

IMG-20130216-00270.jpg


Here is my .749" group if anyone wants to double check it with On-Target

IMG-20130216-00271.jpg
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Great shooting JEC. Congrats on being the first to complete the hunting rifle challenge. I will put your name, and gun info in the original post.
 
I supose this would not be permitted under the rules of this thread, but a tip the Tikka shooters might try.... Several years ago, I bought (and sold) several T3's and found they generally shot decent, but got unexplained fliers. Given that I am not sure if the new Tikkas are built the same as the models produced about 2005-06...my comments specifically address issues with the model years previously mentioned. The recoil lug fits in a dovetail on the bottom of the action ...and if it is not tight, can wiggle enough to result in inconsistency. I resolved this issue in my Tikkas by shimming the recoil lug dovetail with a shim made from a pop can (about .003 thickness).
EDIT: My bet would be that if todays models are built the same, we would see some Tikka's meeting this challenge with this simple adjustment:)
 
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JEC said:
I supose this would not be permitted under the rules of this thread, but a tip the Tikka shooters might try.... Several years ago, I bought (and sold) several T3's and found they generally shot decent, but got unexplained fliers. Given that I am not sure if the new Tikkas are built the same as the models produced about 2005-06...my comments specifically address issues with the model years previously mentioned. The recoil lug fits in a dovetail on the bottom of the action ...and if it is not tight, can wiggle enough to result in inconsistency. I resolved this issue in my Tikkas by shimming the recoil lug dovetail with a shim made from a pop can (about .003 thickness).
EDIT: My bet would be that if todays models are built the same, we would see some Tikka's meeting this challenge with this simple adjustment:)
Click to expand...

My T3, which wouldn't qualify for this challenge even in original form is a SS Varmint. I never noticed any movement between the recoil lug and poly stock. The Rem700 that I almost beat the challenge with, had that issue until I bedded the stock. Bedding the stock is acceptable for this challenge: Which is fair, for some expensive "factory" rifles come with bedded receivers.

Congratulations on being victorious: At the pace this challenge is going, you will be alone for awhile yet.
 
I tried. I failed. I seated my bullets .010" deeper to see if I could get rid of my 2+1 type groups I was shooting. It worked. But I still had one group that messed it up for me, I knew it when I pulled the trigger. Just a reminder, I am shooting a Tikka T3 lite 30/06 with Berger 185gr vld hunting. My groups were:
.275"
.243" (smallest)
1.125" (@#&¥)
.698"
.565"

.581" average.

Well I guess I will load up some more and try again next week. I WILL DO THIS!!!!
 
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