Very sensitive barrel.

[RangerBrad]

The other day I only had a few bullets built but, wanted to resight my rifle in at 200 yds after having to move the scope due to being canted. Because of only having a few rounds I limited my groups to 2 bullets wich taught me something about my rifle. The pic below shows my shots in 2 shot groups ( #1 being the first shot and #2 being the second shot). the first 2 shots were very close together(upper right) the correction was made and the second 2 shots were made(the middle #1 and #2) Finally after one more click down the last 2 shots were made #1 being bullseye and second being along same horizontal line but to the left. The 1st shot of each pair always responded exactly to my correction. These groups were made after about 10 min between each pair and as you can see the pairs get further and further apart each time. This shows me that groups of 3 or 5 acctually detract from the accuracy of forming my drop data rather than 1 well placed shot from this rifle. I had been wondering what was wrong as I have been taking the average of 5 shot groups to develop my drop data and the results showed very unrealistic speeds. After seeing this pic yal can imagine what was going on after 5 shots each at 2 or 3 diffrent ranges. I have never known a barrel this sensitive. It is a Kreiger #5 countor in 25-06. and the scope is a NightForce NXS. The barrel was broke in as per Kreiger instructions and has since had about 500 rounds through it. Have any of yal wittnesed this kind of sensitivity before? Thank's, Brad

 

[angus-5024]

Ive seen it in factory sporter barrels. Not in custom tubes though.

I cant see kreiger haveing that much stress in a barrel... hmm. Pretty hard to get it warrantied when it probably cost $250 to get a new one screwed on. Has is done it like this with diffrent loads??

 

[johnnyk]

I know Nightforce is a trusted name in scopes but it will be easier to diagnos through the process of elimination.
Try another scope and check in again. Might be rings/mounts. Then try another brand of bullet, may be some factory cheap from Walmart. JohnnyK.

 

[Augustus]

Assuming the squares are 1 inch, the first two pairs are under 1/2 Moa. The last pair is around 3/4 Moa. A touch of wind could have caused the extra dispersion of the last pair. What level of accuracy are you trying to achieve.

 

[Joe King]

Have you by chance pulled your rifle apart and checked your stock? My dads 06 did that though not as bad, turned out the stock was cracked right behind the recoil lug. Going off of that it seems to want to return to where the 1st shot went after cooling I'm betting you scope is fine, and your barrel is fine. Gut feeling is something is loose some how, and it's at, in or very very near your receiver.

 

[RangerBrad]

To my way of thinking it can't possibly be the scope or bullets as the first shot in each pair lands exacly where expected and the first 2 shots were great and subsequent shots show the first shot perfect and second shot of each pair falling further away each set. Makes me think what is changing is heat and residue in barrel. Could possibly be stock but shouldn't change that fast between 2 shots. Brad

 

[squirrelduster]

I'm betting something is loose. Scope base screws, ring screws, or even a bedding issue. I would doubt it is the scope or the barrel.
Take everything apart, rings off, base off stock off and put it all back together. I bet you find your problem in the disassembly process.

 

[Broz]

Assuming the squares are 1 inch, the first two pairs are under 1/2 Moa. The last pair is around 3/4 Moa. A touch of wind could have caused the extra dispersion of the last pair. What level of accuracy are you trying to achieve.

I am with Augustus here. You stated these are 200 yard groups and if that is the standard Leupold target those groups are running right at 1/2 moa.

That is pretty good shooting in my book for most rifle acciuacy, shooter skill and ammo combinations in the field.

Jeff