rifle inconsistency

[Robinhood493]

OK guys, what would make my rifle act inconsist? One day I would shoot 1/2" groups, the next day those groups are 2". Then it would be back to 1/2" groups. Then again to 1 1/2". The conditions are staying pretty much the same from day to day, and I am only shooting at 100 yds. The rifle is a stock remington LSS with the barrel free floated and trigger job. I use the same shooting technique, and I even make sure the stock sits in the rest at the same place. Would bedding help this, or should I be looking at my reloading equipment?

 

[cfvickers]

Tighten your action screws. If they are already as tight as you can get them, back them off about 1/8 turn. If this doesn't help, then I would say bed it. Also check to ensure your scope rings and bases are tight. If they are only slightly loose it could cause some inconsistency without necessarily changing your zero.

 

[Robinhood493]

Tighten your action screws. If they are already as tight as you can get them, back them off about 1/8 turn. If this doesn't help, then I would say bed it. Also check to ensure your scope rings and bases are tight. If they are only slightly loose it could cause some inconsistency without necessarily changing your zero.

The scope bases and rings are tight. I have the action screws at 25 in/lbs. Should I go tighter?

 

[Greyfox]

The scope bases and rings are tight. I have the action screws at 25 in/lbs. Should I go tighter?

If it's glass bedded, I like 40#, plllar bedded, or bedding block, 60#.

 

[Robinhood493]

If it's glass bedded, I like 40#, plllar bedded, or bedding block, 60#.

What if its not bedded?

 

[Greyfox]

What if its not bedded?

It depends on the stock material. Wood is tricky, you don't want to crush the fibers, I like to stay around 40#. Synthetics would go 40-60# depending on the sturdiness, nd design. If I had had accuracy problems, bedding would be the first place I would go though if the rifle had no bedding or pillars.

 

[cfvickers]

I have never used a torque driver, I do it by feel. But from what I have read 40+ sounds right. 25 sounds to me a little light. With a laminated stock it will take a little more than regular walnut. Laminate is generally pretty sturdy. I have a 300 win mag LSS and it shoots one hole groups at 100 yards consistently, and it is not bedded. If you get your action screws a little tighter it sounds like that may be the ticket.

 

[Joe King]

It's the perfect excuse to get a McMillan A5

 

[FUBAR]

Have to ask the obvious question(s) here since you asked about getting new reloading equipment--

Are you shooting ammo that you loaded?

Are you shooting the exact same ammo each time?

What kind of scope, and how high is it mounted?

 

[Robinhood493]

Have to ask the obvious question(s) here since you asked about getting new reloading equipment--

Are you shooting ammo that you loaded?

Are you shooting the exact same ammo each time?

What kind of scope, and how high is it mounted?

Yes, my own hand loads, same ammo. Scope is Nikon monarch, Leupold 1/4 turn bases and high rings

 

[FUBAR]

If possible try some factory ammo, but I would guess it's a scope issue.

 

[cfvickers]

Did you attach the rings the the scope first or to the rifle? I have tried it both ways with those rings and unless you have an alignment tool your front ring could be a little off center causing it to be a little erratic.

 

[Robinhood493]

Did you attach the rings the the scope first or to the rifle? I have tried it both ways with those rings and unless you have an alignment tool your front ring could be a little off center causing it to be a little erratic.

An alignment tool was used to put the rings on