I have a Browning Stalker a-bolt. I've had it about 10 years. I probably haven't shot 10 boxes of shell through it since I bought it. Started bow hunting about the same time and have only uesd it on a few muel deer hunts.
It throws shots straight up, and will only hold a 2 inch group at 100 yards. My average shot is 300 yards. My zero is 200 yards and the shots are close to a 4" group. I called Browning and the guy was rude and said that I could ship it to them but a 2" group is within factory spec. Is there anything I can do?
Is there a manufacturer that will guarante a 1"group at 100 yards? I heard about a Howa. Any suggestions would be helpful.
I will never buy another browning.
Hi Brees,
Have you got another rifle that you know is accurate? The reason I ask this is so you can check if it's you or the rifle, sometimes its the operator (not having a go at you by the way) at 200yds, it doesn't take much to make groups big.
I recently shot a group of about 3-4in at 200m - previously the rifle was shooting 1" groups at 100m - it's not uncommon for your groups to be a lot bigger at 200yds or more, hard to accept but it is the reality at times. See the slightest movement at 100 does make some difference to group sizes but at 200 the same movement is well and truly magnified.
Do you do any Handloading?
That can make a huge difference - especially seating depth, I did some experiments recently, where I seated some Nosler BT's at standard factory depth and they shot ok around 1" at 100yds then I decided to seat them right into the lands and just back them of about 1thou of the lands and the groups shrank to an average of .6" at 100yds! just by changing seating depth, so I wouldn't panic just yet, just try some of the things suggested above, also maybe get someone else to try your rifle out for you and see what the results are like.
If you are using factory ammo, definately try different brands - it's amazing how differrent brands can make or break group sizes, I recently did another little experiment where the only thing I changes was brands of cases (by accident I might add!) I'd been shooting great groups but a 2 groups had opened up a to about 1" and I thought thats a bit odd, maybe I pulled those last couple of shots? (I bag all my ammo into 5 shots per bag when doing testing so I can check for any problems with cases etc) apon inspection of cases I realised I had a couple of different brands mixed in with the Remington cases I'd suggest that was where the problem lies as both times it happend there were different brands of cases involved - that solved that little mistery.
When you do start to experiment dont go changing all sorts of things at once just do one thing at a time and test, its the only way you will know whats made the difference.
Good luck and don't give up until you work out exactly what it is.