Grouping Question at 200 yards (Fliers)

[Aggie07]

Guys,

I have an Elk hunt coming up in October and I have been practicing a fair bit for the hunt. I am shooting a Rem 700, 7 RM. I have some 160 grain Sierra Gameking Handloads for it. I am using 62 grains of Reloader 19 with a federal 215 primer and either federal or remington brass.

Let me also give you a little history on the gun. I have shot 150 grain factory core-lokts, 160 partitions, and 165 sierra game kings. It has always seemed to like the core lokts the best. If I do my part, it seems to shoot any ammo around .75-1 MOA. I decided to try some reloads for it to improve accuracy but I did not really work up a load for the gun, I mainly just changed the seating depth to effect accuracy, since I knew factory loads were way off the lands in most rifles.

I have been practicing a bit at 200 and 300 yards just to get back in tune with the gun. I have been shooting for groups and just for first point of impact. Here are two pictures of my groups, one with the sierra reloads and one with the factory remington loads.

Picasa Web Albums - Nathan

Picasa Web Albums - Nathan

Also, below is a recent 100 yard group with my reloads which does not show the vertical stringing that my 200 yard group does. It could be user error, no idea?

Picasa Web Albums - Nathan

I am wondering what steps I can do to fix the groups since I always seem to have fliers. It seems if I shoot many times I will have two distinct groups. I imagine it will hold .75 MOA out in yardage if I do my part though. What would you all do to improve these groups? I am also worried about the vertical stringing on the reloads. The group seems to head upward.

Thanks a bunch,

Nathan

 

[prtaylor]

You could try a number of differant things for group size.
1. Case length
2. Shoulder set back
3. Bullet seating depth
4. Powder charge
If you play with these measurements one at a time and note the differance you will work up the best load for your rifle. Having said that, If you are shooting at 200 yards and getting 1.375 inch groups you are already doing better than the .75 MOA that you wanted. .75 MOA at 200 yds. = 1.5 inches

 

[CapDog]

You mentioned that you are using either federal or remington brass. Are you keeping them seperate or are you mixing them? The different brass would cause fliers.

 

[TerryLamb]

Guys,

I have an Elk hunt coming up in October and I have been practicing a fair bit for the hunt. I am shooting a Rem 700, 7 RM. I have some 160 grain Sierra Gameking Handloads for it. I am using 62 grains of Reloader 19 with a federal 215 primer and either federal or remington brass.

Let me also give you a little history on the gun. I have shot 150 grain factory core-lokts, 160 partitions, and 165 sierra game kings. It has always seemed to like the core lokts the best. If I do my part, it seems to shoot any ammo around .75-1 MOA. I decided to try some reloads for it to improve accuracy but I did not really work up a load for the gun, I mainly just changed the seating depth to effect accuracy, since I knew factory loads were way off the lands in most rifles.

I have been practicing a bit at 200 and 300 yards just to get back in tune with the gun. I have been shooting for groups and just for first point of impact. Here are two pictures of my groups, one with the sierra reloads and one with the factory remington loads.

Picasa Web Albums - Nathan

Picasa Web Albums - Nathan

Also, below is a recent 100 yard group with my reloads which does not show the vertical stringing that my 200 yard group does. It could be user error, no idea?

Picasa Web Albums - Nathan

I am wondering what steps I can do to fix the groups since I always seem to have fliers. It seems if I shoot many times I will have two distinct groups. I imagine it will hold .75 MOA out in yardage if I do my part though. What would you all do to improve these groups? I am also worried about the vertical stringing on the reloads. The group seems to head upward.

Thanks a bunch,

Nathan

Geez, I don't know a hunter who wouldn't be delighted with sub-minute 200 yard patterns! Though none of the patterns exhibited the vertical stringing you mentioned, in my rifles such stringing results from barrel heating, typically starting after about the first five shots without cooling breaks.

Looks to me though, like that rifle is ready to go hunting!

 

[Aggie07]

For the guys who shoot the 1/4 inch groups, how long do you wait between shots?

 

[squirrelduster]

I wait 1 minute on cool days.
The big thing seems to be do it the same everytime. Don't be talkin to Joe and wait 5 minutes then bang off two within a minute.
The lighter your barrel the more how long you wait will make a bigger difference.
I would guess that if you played with the seating depth of the 160 gr Gameking load you will have a smoker. I think it will tighten it up. make sure to wait a while between shots.

 

[NZP]

For the guys who shoot the 1/4 inch groups, how long do you wait between shots?

only have one gun that'll shoot 1/2 at 200yards.

i wasnt waiting between shots, but I was timing. by the time i was settled, fired. read the chrony and wrote that down. unloaded and reloaded it was a minute basically between shots

but i give the barrel a feel and if i can happily keep a hold of it im not too worried. of course if im in a match id be taking a bit more time

 

[Sidesy]

You could try a number of differant things for group size.
1. Case length
2. Shoulder set back
3. Bullet seating depth
4. Powder charge
If you play with these measurements one at a time and note the differance you will work up the best load for your rifle. Having said that, If you are shooting at 200 yards and getting 1.375 inch groups you are already doing better than the .75 MOA that you wanted. .75 MOA at 200 yds. = 1.5 inches

hi, great advice above but i'd start with powder first and see how you go (did you develop a load for your rifle or just copy one? just tweaking (up or down .5 of grain to start off with , then .2 when you reach your best group) your powder can really tighten your groups), then case length etc..... after you have checked what you bullet seating depth is etc...Gary

 

[OG10]

I think you might be late to the party.... this thread is from 2009.