Problem child

[Chinook78]

I was out shooting yesterday, and a rifle that normally shoots 1" - 1.5" groups is all of a sudden shooting 3"-4" with proven loads. Another strange thing is that the shots are at right angles, i.e. the first shot is more or less where it should be, second shot is 3" high, third is 3" right, etc. I've never had it happen before, but I'm wondering if my scope has maybe packed it in?

 

[windy]

Check the usual culprits. Rings, bases, stock screws and such. Good excuse to buy a new scope.

 

[Freyr_255]

Yup. check all the screws on the scope and stock and then if it's still doing it try a different scope on it or clean the barrel as it may have acquired some tough copper fouling or something as well. Also check for muzzel nicks or a warped stock if its wood.

 

[303EppsFan]

I had this issue and the scope was pooched. Changed the scope and all was well.

 

[Grummpy]

"Problem Child" and I was thinking it was a thread about the Ont CFO not your groups.

 

[horseman2]

Interesting but the post does not identify the cluprits. That would be rifle, bases, rings, calibre and the load.
Some of the combo packages using an inexpensive/entry level scope are always suspect.
Perhaps reading too much into the equation but proven load suggests handloads and those less expensive scopes will not take much adjustment.

 

[swervinmervin]

Check all the usual culprits, you didn't mention what kind of stock its sitting in. The last rifle that behaved poorly on me was a "bad" scope, the one before that was a cracked stock.