Posted: 1/6/2017 10:36:26 AM EDT
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Long time lurker... finally setup an account.
Wifey bought me Rem700 LTR in 223 for Christmas. (I told her she is my new favorite wife)... First time out with new Vortex scope and rings... had a hard time zeroing it. I used torque wrench to attach the scope - so, I am confident its not the scope. I once had a SPS Tac in 223. I was sub MOA all day with nothing but a sling. However, this LTR is all over. Could it just be new barrel issue? Will it settle in? |
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Quoted:
55gr Wolf Gold. What does "all over the place" mean? The .223 LTR is a 1:9 twist last I checked, it should shoot the Wolf Gold fairly well. I'd expect that to be able to shoot 5-shot groups in 2.5 inches or less on average, across multiple 5-shot groups. I would NOT expect that Wolf Gold to be "sub MOA" in any barrel.... while some have achieved that on occasion, my testing has resulted in 2.5" avg groups from Wolf Gold in a Kreiger barrel (that is capable of half inch 5-shot groups with ammo it likes) The ability to "zero" the gun should not be impacted at all. You take three shots, calculate the center of the group from POA, adjust the scope, and you should be zero'd. If you are making adjustments and your POI is not changing, or your POI is changing without adjustments - I'd question your mount, rings, or scope. |
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FALARAK - Sorry for the vague description.
You are correct. It is a 1:9 By "All over the place".. I mean, my POI was not going where it should based on adjustments. The POI seemed almost random. Unfortunately, I have a lot of variables. New scope, rifle, rings, mount. All of the above were torqued to manufactures recommendations. The nature of my question was really an effort on my part to eliminate a barrel break from the list of variables. I don't have a lot of experience with brand new barrels as most of my rifles I have bought used. I should have been more clear... So, my real question would be this: Would a new barrel cause POI to shift inexplicably till it is 'broke-in'? |
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Point of impact shift could be caused from a few things. Something loose, barrel temp change , cheek weld, parallax. Probably not Barrel break in.
POI shift is, it was grouping here now it is grouping there, is that what it is doing or is it just making a big group? What is  the scope? |
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Quoted:
So, my real question would be this: Would a new barrel cause POI to shift inexplicably till it is 'broke-in'? No. The difference between brand new barrels and broken in barrels will be a slightly lower velocity when new, and potentially not as consistent..... but this difference is VERY small. 3MOA barrels do not become 1MOA barrels just on break-in alone, and POI shift will be insignificant, at 100yds. |
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With a new rifle setup it's probably best to do what you need to in order to get it on paper, and then don't make any adjustments until you've shot a representative group (5-10rds) with the same scope settings. Then, you'll know what the rifle is doing with that ammo. After you've done that then proceed with making the necessary scope adjustments to get it zeroed where you want it (while having the advantage of knowing how big a typical group will be with that rifle/ammo combination).
I've seen lots of folks fire one shot, then go right into making a scope adjustment...and then fire another shot (with confusing results). Then they proceed to make yet more adjustments after every shot fired. A lot of times the adjustments are working just fine on the scope but the shooter is expecting a group size that is just not realistic for that rifle/ammo combination and they end up chasing their tail wondering why they are seeing erratic results after each scope adjustment. Take the time to initially get a solid group on paper and then move on from there. As stated, wolf gold 55gr may not be capable of giving you very good groups. |
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Quoted:
I would remove & reassemble the action/barrel in the stock, to factory specs. Then make sure the barrel isn't contacting forearm. After that, the optic would be under the "microscope"... I would be willing to bet in %90 of cases like this its the optic/mounts. First thing I would do is make sure mounts are tight and try another scope. |
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Range report:
Clearly it was me on my first trip out. Because on my second trip I was able to zero it in short order... As a side note... My second trip out was cut short because I tried some steel case ammo. I brought it because it was the only 62 gr I had... It did not like it... Wouldn't eject. Ugh.. I will never do that again. Hoping my third trip is a charm.. In answer to the earlier question. No I don't compete... Though I am very interested in doing so someday. Safe shooting, |