Rifle Competition

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dagm

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I have a Savage XT 308 with a beginner 9 pwr scope from bushnell on it.

I have been attending some rifle competitions and doing lots of practise in between. The other day, I was practising with some 168 Sierra Match King 42g Varget loads with hollow points and getting 1/4 inch groups of 5 shots each at a 100yds, 200yds.

The next week was the competition and i was shooting 150 Hornady SST's with 42.5g's of load (Varget). The result was that I kept shooting 1-6 inch groups from each other that did not win me any marks the entire day.

The competition was set for 100yds - 300yds. The day and weather was warm and calm. I was shooting off the table and off elbows, with the table and sand bags and then elbows off table but sitting.

Needless to say I had a bad day.

Could anyone tell me why this might have happened.
I was also sighted in for 100yds bullseye and just holding over for the 200-300's.

Thanks

Mike D
 
Your gun doesn't like that second load you mentioned. Try working the charge up and down, see if it improves your group.
 
There has been more shoots won with 168gr match kings in a .308 for the last 45 years out to 600 yards why on earth would you try and get hornadys to be better than sierra,s
 
IMO <----- get that out of the way right now :D

1, there are better bullets, Amax maybe..
2, your loads sound really light, maybe that's what your gun likes but you've got alot of room to go up.
3, Competing; I don't, so I got nothing ....:redface:
 
I agree. I compete as often as I can and nerves sure can affect your performance. If I could shoot like I do in practice I'd be the best in the world...Wouldn't we all. :)

I've found with the 308's I've loaded for they've always performed well with a pretty stout load. Varget is a great powder for the 308 so you're on the right track. You could also try IMR 4064. 168 SMK and 4064 was the go to recipe according to my info and has performed very well in my current 308. Varget is favoured now because it is less temperature sensitive. Anyway that is my opinion so you can take it for what it is worth.
 
With the limited information you give, here are some observations and questions.

I am not a benchrest shooter but, your shooting technique sounds questionable. Why would you shoot off a bench with your elbows not touching the bench? Why change from a match bullet that you tested with good results, to a hunting bullet with unknown results? I guess you know those results now.

Did you change the seating depth when you changed bullet, so the ogive of the bullets were the same. SMK's are very jump tolerant, the SST's maybe not so much.

Did you weigh each powder charge or just throw them?

Was your bore clean for both results? Sometimes rifles shoot better a little/lot dirty.

Are you sure there isn't any oil between the bedding or stock and the action? Are the bedding screws tight? Are the scope mounts tight, bases and rings?

Aiming off is like pissing in the wind, that's why they put those twisty knobs on the scope. While you may think the wind is calm at 300 yards the slightest little change in the mirage will show up on paper.

As far as nerves go, it gets easier every time.
 
maynard said:
Aiming off is like pissing in the wind, that's why they put those twisty knobs on the scope. While you may think the wind is calm at 300 yards the slightest little change in the mirage will show up on paper.

As far as nerves go, it gets easier every time.
Click to expand...


this is the truth ;)
 
dagm said:
I have a Savage XT 308 with a beginner 9 pwr scope from bushnell on it.

I have been attending some rifle competitions and doing lots of practise in between. The other day, I was practising with some 168 Sierra Match King 42g Varget loads with hollow points and getting 1/4 inch groups of 5 shots each at a 100yds, 200yds.
Click to expand...

If you are shooting 1/4 inch, I assume you mean 1/4 MOA, but still, @ 200 yards with your 168s, why would you shoot anything else?

Oh and nerves. Yup, been there.
 
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