Rem VTR accuracy potential question.

[Boomer454]

I picked up a lightly used VTR in 223 on the EE a few weeks ago is the start of an eventual build.

At work last weekend I had some time and no wind to speak if so I took it out and sighted it in. Winchester whitebox 55 grain fmj's went into one hole at 25 yards. Started close as the scope had just been mounted.
The. I moved out yo 100 and it opened up the groups a lot! 3 inch horizontal strings were the best I could do.
I guess I should say I was lying on the ground shooting off a bipod in crusty snow. I know it's not ideal, but that was my only option at the time.

So I switched the stock out with an old varmint special walnut stock I have on my 7mm08 and went to the ange today to shoot it of an actual bench and proper sand bags. The stock seems to have cured the stringing issue, but groups are still in the three inch range.

Now I know 55 grain bullets in a 1-9 twist barrel aren't going to give stellar accuracy, but it should be better than that shouldn't it? I'm really only shooting this stuff to get the brass to load some better stuff.

Does a 1-9 twist "need" a longer, heavier bullet or am I the proud owner of a lemon?

 

[tiriaq]

Try some different ammunition.
1:9 barrels don't "need" heavier bullets, but can accentuate problems with so so bullets.

 

[caramel]

Buy yourself WWB 45 gr HP, those shoot good in all rifle but the 1 in 7, you should be fixed with those... JP.

 

[Jeromeo]

My 1:7 custom shoots my 52 grain loads really well. Almost too good. You could try other ammo. Your rifle just might not like the 55 grainers.

 

[arcstarter]

Try some better ammo as well, Winchester white box is not going to give you amazing groups.

 

[dbcdm12]

Hope this works. This is a group I shot today with my Rem VTR in .223 same twist rate as yours

Sierra 55gr HP Boat Tail
24 gr IMR 8208 XBR
Rem 7 1/2 Primer
C.O.A.L 2.22"

It has taken me quite a while to get to this.

I wonder if a good Barrel clean would help. I use wipe-out foam myself

for my 2c

 

[dbcdm12]

 

[sniper58]

Here's a target that I shot with my Savage a while ago

I was doing well on the top group until I flinched.

Both groups were shot the same day, about 10 minutes apart. People say that crimping your loads doesn't make any difference.....................I disagree!

chronographed velocity was 3225 fps.

 

[Gopher Slayer]

I have a vtr in 308, i use it as my hunting rifle because I like the balance of it. It loves 165 gt accubonds and 165 gr SST. I tried shooting 165 gr trophy bonded tips they grouped decent at 100 yards but opened up to 8" groups at 200 yards. Its definitely worth trying some different ammo.