Sighting in / Groups @ 100 yards

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jacknife

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I just got my first centerfire rifle. A Tikka T3 Varmint in .243. I mounted a Leupold 4.5 - 14 x 50 VX-III on it, and have been out shooting it twice in the last week.

I sighted in using a front and rear sand bag system that was about $30. I sighted it at 100 yards and have been getting groups of about an inch, and several groups of half and inch. The bags work OK, but I am not satisfied with the accuracy and repeatability of them. I want to be able to put one on top of another at 100 yards, so that I am accurate up to 400-500 yards for coyote hunting.

My questions are:

1) Should I spend the money to buy a good rest?

2) If so, what is a good front rest/rear bag combo or full rest to buy?

3) I was shooting really good groups, almost all about a half an inch, with Hornady Superformax Varmint 55gr. I then cheaped out and bought a bulk pack of Remington Core Lokt Express 100 gr for target shooting. My groups with that ammo opened up to an inch or so. Will the quality of ammo make that much of a difference at only 100 yards?

Thanks for reading, and for any answers / advice you may offer a new shooter!
 
i wouldn't expect to get much better then 1 moa groups with factory ammo, if you really want to get the most out of your rifle you should get into reloading.
 
If you are getting 1/2" five shot groups at 100 yards with factory loads, you can't realistically expect more. In fact, you are doing better than most rifles are capable of without developing a load specifically for the rifle. As for the difference in accuracy between loads, changing loads can make a lot more than 1/2" in group size.
 
The 100 yard line has its place... But before you jump to any firm conclusions practice for a day at 200-300 yards...

For a rest I highly reccomend the Caldwell tack driver while at the range over the lead sleds and such... I have seen a lot of folks blow thru $60 boxes of ammo tweaking there scope on a lead sled only to find when fired from the shoulder they are several inches off there mark CONSISTENTLY... The tack driver or shooting bags still put emphasis on how you actually shoulder the gun and let it recoil... A lead sled is a bit hard to take on a hike to a good yote area.

As to your third question the answer is not always quality = $$$ when buying ammo... I have had several rifles that shot $20 per box ammo better then $45 per box... I try several brands of ammo thru all my guns all sorted by bullet weight not price tag.


Practice practice practice.
 
If you are going to use the rifle for coyotes you will probably use a bipod for your field trips. Sight in and practice with what you will be using for your hunts.
 
100 yard group shooting has become an end in itself for too many people. If you want to see what your rifle will do at 500, shoot at 500. And buy a bipod. And start handloading. Strive for 1/2 MOA in elevation, coyotes aren't that big once the hide comes off them.

Better bag setups are more about convenience than accuracy.Put the money toward a starter kit.
 
Find ammo the gun likes reasonably well, sight in off a bipod at 200 yards, practice at 200-500 yards. Go shoot coyotes. Sounds like ou are doing fine but get a Harris with the swivel to steady up the gun on broken ground. Can't stress how important that part is for coyotes.
 
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