Is something wrong with my rifle?

[Ycreek]

I've deer hunted with a Rem 700 270 since I was a kid. It's always had the same old Leupold VX-2 3x9 on it and its always shot where I aimed it. I recently bought another Rem 700 but this one is the XCR2 in 300 WM. I mounted a Viper PST 6-24 (2nd focal plane) on it. I went to shoot it for the second time today and I'm a little frustrated. On the 1st outing, I tried, to the best of my ability, to follow the barrel break in regimen. Well, after probably 70-80 rounds, the gun will not shoot in the same place twice. With Remington Core Lok 180 gr., it does ok at best. With Hornady Superformance 180 gr., it's a 3-4 in group at 40 yds. I'm shooting off of a Lead Sled and I can't imagine how the gun could be any steadier. I've read (mostly here) that certain ammunitions shoot better in certain guns. I get that. Maybe I haven't tried the right one but should it be that bad? It does have that ole cheap plastic stock on it. Could that be the problem? It just seems, at least to a layman like me, that custom stocks and Timney triggers are a little over board for someone who's longest deer kill is about 250 yds. Any advice? Thanks a lot.

 

[minute of elk]

if it were me, i'd start at the start.

1) pull it out of the stock & check the bedding area, lug, etc
2) tighten everything (torque wrench is mandatory for me on action bolts, base screws, and scope rings)
3) dry fire a bunch to make sure i'm liking the trigger, while i-
4) make sure the bolt closes securely & operates smoothly

if it feels & operates correctly after this,

5) bore sight it again at 25-50 yards.
6) put a few through the 22 before i shot for groups- just to make sure i'm not flinching
7) take my time & focus on the basics when shooting it
8) run a box test on the scope to make sure it's not the problem
9) shoot a video of me shooting if i was still unsure whether or not it was me

and if all that didn't help-

10) take it to Glen

 

[dogbuster0006]

That rifle should shoot much more like 3" at 200yd, since you are using a lead sled that pretty well kicks a flinching issue. Everything the guy prior to me said holds true. Double check the tightness of everything, sounds like you've got a loose scope or you're scope is internally broken. Keep us updated

 

[scsims]

Good advice so far..... torque scope base and rings... and stock screws. With that said I have had a fair number of Remington 700s and I don't think any of them shot very good with factory ammo. I have a .270 from when I was a kid and it wouldn't do better than 3-4" at 100 yards with factory ammo. When I started reloading it went down to a .75" gun....

 

[4xforfun]

I'd start with the scope, then I would try the scope, and then I would move on to the scope!!

 

[375fan]

FWIW in my opinion I suggest not using lead sled. I'd get prone with bipod and rear bag and shoot it. This is how I do load development and zeroing of scopes these days, started this about 3 years ago,for me even steadier and more comfortable than shooting from bench. I have never used a lead sled but have witnessed a few guys at local range and saw some unusual results.

 

[Ycreek]

Thanks for the input y'all. I mounted the scope. That could be the problem. I methodically mounted it on a 20MOA picatinney rail that I bedded to the reciever. The only thing I didn't do was use a torque wrench. I tried to tighten the screws, as best I could, to the same tension. Like I said before, the only experience I've had, prior to this, was with my old CDL 270 and the Leupold 3x9. That thing shoots lights out. Without the torque wrench, maybe temporarilly putting another scope on it will, at least, signal as to whether the scope is defective. I've always been an avid shotgunner and this is definitely new territory. Thanks a lot for y'all's help. It's still hard for me to come up with the right questions to ask. Obsessing.

 

[Ycreek]

But I will be getting a torque wrench.

 

[4xforfun]

Not saying you mounted it wrong. I'm thinking that the scope has internal issues. I can't imagin a factory rem shooting worse than say 1 1/2 MOA with factory fodder.

Try mounting a different scope of known quality and shoot a few groups with a known load. it doesn't matter if that was the load the shot best or worse. Do a comparo.

 

[Dosh]

Ycreek, did you use Locktite on the scope mounts and the action screws? When you get the torque wrench (in inch pounds) torque all screws and record the amount you used. If you try another scope use the same recorded settings on it also. Torque settings can be found on this site or just Google them. Then try minute of elk's #5 thru #9. I personally am not a fan of the plastic stocks and suggest trying a laminated or composite stock bedded if your new rifle still does not perform. Bedding epoxy will not stick to the plastic stocks. My son's 700 in 7mm shot nearly 4" groups with the plastic stock. He ordered a Boyd's laminated stock $114 delivered, 9 bucks worth of Marine-Tex and with some hand loads shoots sub-MOA. Good luck

 

[MudRunner2005]

But I will be getting a torque wrench.

I recommend the Wheeler FAT wrench. One of the best investments I've made so far. I wonder why I didn't do it sooner.

 

[Ycreek]

I'm definitely going to switch the scopes and give it a go. A new stock is also in my future. Oh. I used locktite. Thanks again for the advice and encouragement. I'll take all I can get.

 

[ShootnMathews]

My suggestions are

1) check the end of the forearm for contact with the barrel. Contact here can cause huge erratic issues. I just worked on a gun for my dad that was bound at the forearm tip. Shot about a 14" group at 100 yards. I free floated it and with the same ammo shoots 2" groups.

2) over tightening the ring screws on vortex scopes binds the internals. Vortexes have slightly lighter tubes than the more expensive scopes and need to be torqued properly on the rings. Not just cranked down by hand. They are quality scopes though.

3) I have yet to have that Hornaday superformace shoot well in any gun I've tried it in. Try some federal ammo. Seems to do a little better for consistency in my experience.

Checking these in this order I believe will help you

 

[Ycreek]

My suggestions are

1) check the end of the forearm for contact with the barrel. Contact here can cause huge erratic issues. I just worked on a gun for my dad that was bound at the forearm tip. Shot about a 14" group at 100 yards. I free floated it and with the same ammo shoots 2" groups.

2) over tightening the ring screws on vortex scopes binds the internals. Vortexes have slightly lighter tubes than the more expensive scopes and need to be torqued properly on the rings. Not just cranked down by hand. They are quality scopes though.

3) I have yet to have that Hornaday superformace shoot well in any gun I've tried it in. Try some federal ammo. Seems to do a little better for consistency in my experience.

Checking these in this order I believe will help you

Perfect. Great advice. I talked to the guy at Vortex this morning and he told me the exact same thing although I'll tell ya, after review, my ring screws were not overly tight. It HAS to be the stock. I'm not good enough to justify a $500.00 stock but a new stock nevertheless, is in my future. Oh! Torque wrench is on the way. Thanks a lot for your input.