30-06 Question on Groups

[Super Dave]

Hi,


I would like to get some advice from you guys. I picked up a NOS Sako TRG-S (M995) with hopes of taking it on an elk hunt.

• The twist is 1 in 11
• The barrel length is about 23 inches

I tested it out this past weekend and it didn't seem to group with the 180 & 165 grain factory loads. Thanks goodness, my buddy had some 150 grain and I got a decent group with them.

All of the following groups were shot at 100 yards.

• I had a solid support on the front and rear.
• The scope is a new VX-6 3x18.
• The Sako Optilock rings were installed per factory specs (proper inch pounds for various screws) and loc-tite where advised by Beretta USA.
• The wind was 10 to 15 mph from the side and could change directions.

Can you guys please share your thoughts with me based on what you see with these groups?Thanks,
Dave

 

[Sully2]

Lighter bullet = faster FPS. Ya gotta drive them with an 11-1 barrel.

 

[Super Dave]

Thank you for your reply Sully2.

I'm a novice at this stuff. Just so I understand...are you saying that the lighter bullets will shoot better in the type of barrel I have?

Is there any hope for the heavier stuff?

Thanks a lot,
Dave

 

[shortgrass]

Your 11 twist barrel should not be a handicap with the bullets weights you tried. You are dealing with a factory barrel, new or not. They can be quite finicky about which load and bullet weight. Try some more of a different brand to see if your rifle has a preferance. I'd not expect 1/2" groups @ 100yds. from a factory barrel.

 

[Super Dave]

Thank you for the hopeful thought. I'll see if I can track down some more loads.
Dave

 

[Sully2]

Thank you for your reply Sully2.

I'm a novice at this stuff. Just so I understand...are you saying that the lighter bullets will shoot better in the type of barrel I have?

Is there any hope for the heavier stuff?

Thanks a lot,
Dave

For many a decade the "normal" twist in an 06 was a 1/10 twist for slugs that weighed from 150 gr to 220 gr. If you constantly shot 200-220 slugs a 1/9 was what ya needed because of their slower FPS speed. If you always show say 110-135 gr slugs a 1/11 or 1/12 twist because they were already "a-zipping" down range so all you needed was enough stabilizing spin.

 

[Super Dave]

Are there any fast moving 180 / 165 grain factory loads out there?

I'm in a little bit of a fix because I purchased this specifically to shoot 180 grain.

I guess that's the way it goes. Live and learn.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[howco]

Try the hornady superformance 180 sst. I have had good accuracy with 30 caliber loads from hornady

 

[Sully2]

Are there any fast moving 180 / 165 grain factory loads out there?

I'm in a little bit of a fix because I purchased this specifically to shoot 180 grain.

I guess that's the way it goes. Live and learn.

Thanks,
Dave

Whats so magical about 180 grainers? Lots of killing power in faster moving 165-168 grain slugs...

 

[Super Dave]

I'm just trying to follow the recommendation of the guide...since I don't know shitzu.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[HARPERC]

I've had good luck with Hornady Superformance accuracy wise. Is this the total of whats been fired from the rifle? It could be things just settling in as the targets improve all the way through. I'd be curious to give it a good cleaning, and reverse the order of firing.

 

[Super Dave]

Thanks for that thought. I will clean it this week. I'm just glad that I got one decent group.

We have pretty constant wind. I hope I can take off from work the next time the wind dies down to see what it will do then.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[roninflag]

Lighter bullet = faster FPS. Ya gotta drive them with an 11-1 barrel.

Super dave- i have shot 8 elk and guided guys to close to 40. the 30-06 is a great round. I f you go to rilfemansjournal you will find that German has done a lot of reaserch on loading shooting and twist rates for the 30-06. the 11 twist is IDEAL and he used it for up to 190 and 200 grain match bullets. the sako rifles are awesome. you should get better groups than that. any 165 or 180 grain bullet is ok, i like the 165 or 180 partition for bulls. the 168 cbt or the 168 berger should group best in your rifle.

 

[Super Dave]

Thank you for the optimistic report. I'll keep at it.

Dave