WTF! factory ammo + new rifle

ultimate_monkey

ultimate_monkey

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Ove the holidays i picked up a weatherby .223 for a "short" range plinker (200yds) so just to get the scope close to sighted and all that other stuff i figured i would just run some factory ammo threw it, i started out with 55grain "American eagle" at 200yds i was getting 1 3/4 - 2" groups consistantly, not bad for a bipod and ghetto sand bag, i figued i would try a different load, so i ran some winchester 64grain threw it, groups opened up to around 4", fair enough the rifle doesnt like the heavier bullet. droped back down the the 55gr, start to shoot and WTF! cant even hit the paper at 200 (16x20" target) weird so clean the rifle and fire again, sure hit the paper but all shots are just wingers.. so clean it again with a copper solvent and start over, groups are down to 5" but cant seem to get them any tighter..

im so very lost.. im gonna give the rifle a really good clean tonight and go from there but im at a loss as to what would cause this.. i understand that different bullet weights will effect acuracy, but how come ov lost all acuracy from trying a different bullet?
 
I'd like to hear that answer to your questions too .. thinking of buying a
.223 .. I know weight do change the sighting in but to be out that much
and not be able to regain it back to where it was .... not goood

gerry
 
ultimate_monkey said:
Ove the holidays i picked up a weatherby .223 for a "short" range plinker (200yds) so just to get the scope close to sighted and all that other stuff i figured i would just run some factory ammo threw it, i started out with 55grain "American eagle" at 200yds i was getting 1 3/4 - 2" groups consistantly, not bad for a bipod and ghetto sand bag, i figued i would try a different load, so i ran some winchester 64grain threw it, groups opened up to around 4", fair enough the rifle doesnt like the heavier bullet. droped back down the the 55gr, start to shoot and WTF! cant even hit the paper at 200 (16x20" target) weird so clean the rifle and fire again, sure hit the paper but all shots are just wingers.. so clean it again with a copper solvent and start over, groups are down to 5" but cant seem to get them any tighter..

im so very lost.. im gonna give the rifle a really good clean tonight and go from there but im at a loss as to what would cause this.. i understand that different bullet weights will effect acuracy, but how come ov lost all acuracy from trying a different bullet?
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Have you checked the scope and bases that are nice and tight? For a rifle to go from 13/4"- to 2" initial groups to what you describe, either the scope is moving on you or the action is not tight on the stock. Check the anchoring screws. I had that with one of my target rifles and drove me nuts until I found out the action was loose on the stock. If scope/bases and action are all tight and nothing moves, I'd seriously suspect the score internals. No way a rifle (action-barrel) will do this after a few .223 rounds.
 
First thing I'd do is stop cleaning it.Then checlk the scope.Then get some decent ammo.Then I'd shoot it all bagged in off the bipod.Then after that I'd get someone who I knew knows how to shoot properly to fire it.
 
Like Longshot said, "stop cleaning it". Check the scope base screws. Try another scope.
Take the action out of the stock and make sure you didn't get too generous with a bore cleaner and have solvent between the action and stock. Wipe away any oil and re-tighten the action screws.
Try different types of ammo. You are expecting match results with so so ammo. Not all rifles like the same ammo.
 
I think it was Operator Error myself ;)
Ok, now for the semi serious answer that already has been answered.
Likely something to do with the scope or the bases and rings.
Blue Loktite is your friend when it comes to mounting bases and rings.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
To some of you thanks for the input, and for others, i know how to shoot ;) i spend my time at the range rather then at the comp posting on forums

bases and rings are all tight and every thing i do gets blue lock tight.. Im not expecting match results with sub par ammo.like i said in my original post i was just looking to get the rifle sited into the general area. so im not surprised by the variation in my groupings.. i didnt think of it being the scope it self, since its been out of the box for 2 days and hasnt taken any sort of hit, but will throw a different scope on tomorrow and check to make sure the scopes not the problem..

i have a feeling my rushed rambling made the problem out to seem different then it is.. so heres the simple version

spend 1/2 of yesterday and all this morning getting adequate groups with store bought ammo.

change ammo brands for 5 shots, groups double in size

change back to original ammo, cant even hit paper

clean gun, groups come back to a constant 5"

this was all with in 15 min, and nothing else weather, shooting position, etc etc changed
 
+1 on loose scope mounts or rings. If not, I have also witnessed a cheap scope "cato" after a bit of recoil. The reticle started bouncing around inside. It was a Bushnell Banner if I'm not mistakin...
 
If you have fired over 40rounds clean the bbl very well some bbls fowl very easy with certain ammo if it is a rough bore it will fowl quicker . I have had many rifles come into the shop with accuracy problems after checking all the mechanics give it a proper cleaning and guess what accuracy is back.
 
struff55 said:
If you have fired over 40rounds clean the bbl very well some bbls fowl very easy with certain ammo if it is a rough bore it will fowl quicker . I have had many rifles come into the shop with accuracy problems after checking all the mechanics give it a proper cleaning and guess what accuracy is back.
Click to expand...

yeah the rifle as seen about 80 rds, its been cleaned, but just with bore cleaner not a copper solvent, thats what im gonna hit it with tonight.. and try again tomorrow, i just found it weird that i didnt see a deterioration in accuracy, it was there, and then gone to the point of being atleast 8" off
 
I would say that it is your scope. If a scope is going to break (without being dropped or otherwise struck) it seems to be in the first few rounds. It seems if they survive that they will be usable for a while. Or at least that has been my luck with scopes.
 
thanks LB, im gonna head out tomorrow and put a few rounds thew it, and see how it does, if that fails ill mount my bushnell thats survived a 800rd beating on my.338wm and know for sure if its the rifle or the scope
 
I am finding it hard to believe that you are expecting to shoot sub MOA with AE 223 ammo. 5" at 200 yds is a little bit over 2 MOA for AE that isn't too bad. Doesn't sound like the scope is out - it sounds like your expectations are though. I would still check your scope but 55 grain FMJ isn't the most reliable ammunition for measuring group sizes with. It can on occasion shoot sub-MOA but this stuff isn't manufactured to any match tolerances. Don't believe me? Take 5 random rounds from the same lot and pull the bullets, you may be a bit surprised how much variation there is with just the bullets let alone the powder and cases themselves. If I could get 55 grain AE to shoot under 1 MOA consistently I wouldn't bother reloading... just my 2 cents.
 
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