Range Report .308 being odd at 100yrds

[DeadFeather]

Hey all. Was shooting from a rest in the prone at 100 yrds, no wind, 48% humidity @70degF with the sun coming from the left. Shooting a Remington 700 SPS .308 Winchester, Simmons Predator Quest 4.5-18x44. The Weapon's clean, I always ensure it is, and I don't understand why rounds are moving outside of a 1.75MOA within 100yrds. I'll admit, I'm new to shooting a .308 so I can't say from experience how the round performs (Shooting Hornady SST 150 grain). Is it the ammo, or me?

Any advice or insight is helpful, thank you.

CR0W, CMC

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CR0W</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Is it the ammo, or me? </div></div>

Probably a bit of both.

In order to eliminate the ammor from the problem space, buy a box (or 4) of Federal Gold Medal Match, and shoot 5-shot groups at 100 yards. Black Hills red box 175 Match is an acceptable substitute. If FGMM shoots well, it is likely the previous problem was the ammo.

Also, many guns take a few rounds (25+) to really come in to where they will be for the long run.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

With all things relative it is a phenomenon I see when shooting my M700 at 100 yards. Every type of ammo will have it's own unique group. Shooting out to farther ranges within 300 yards you may see similar types of ammo achieving similar groups. It is almost as if each type of bullet has its own period of hyperactivity at shorter range. Nevertheless, chances are it is the ammo AND your own shooting. With the .308 you need to stay tucked in or you will see oddball shots on target. These are just random thoughts. They don't match having a good instructor there with you.

 

[Downzero]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

Factory ammo? 1.75 MOA sounds fine to me.

 

[J-ROD]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

As mentioned try some FGMM ammo. Of my two guns, DPMS LR308 and Savage FTR, both of them spit huge groups with that hornady ammo...2-5in at 100yds. With FGMM they were .5 to 1moa for the DPMS and .25 to .5moa for the savage.
Also the "zero" for the hornadys and other various ammo brands were inches away from the FGMM.

 

[Leaddog]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Factory ammo? 1.75 MOA sounds fine to me. </div></div>

No where close to being acceptable. Get some Federal GMM and see where you are. If you can't shoot 1/2 minute at 100 with that, it is you, the rifle, or both.

What are you using for a front rest and rear bag? Managing recoil and trigger control are the biggees with a .308. If you can't get this to settle down, seek out someone experienced to help you.

 

[Muttt]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

If you have the houge overmold stock, that may be contributing to your problems. I have a Remington 700 SPS Tactical and I took it to the range to try it out. I use a bipod and the stock wouldn't support it. By just squeezing the pistol grip, the barrel would swing over an inch from left to right.

Once we figured that out, we started to get really nice sub MOA groups.

 

[264win]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

Keep in mind realistic expectations. Budget rifle, very budget scope and hunting ammo, unknown shooter and shooting
position/support. Try some different ammo, different scope, etc.
Dont expect FGMM to make your rifle a .5 moa or even a 1 moa shooter.
You can still learn a lot shooting a 1.5-2 moa rifle.

 

[DeadFeather]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

Found out it was the scope. Seems that a screw (random at that) was almost flush against the mount for the scope. Also, switched to Hornady 168 grain aMAX match. Performed beautifully. within .3MOA at 400yrds. Happy now, thanks all.

 

[Beef82]

Re: .308 being odd at 100yrds

That 168Amax match shoots great in my SPS too. Watch that stock hitting the barrel if its factory. Now go shoot until you can tell the rifle, scope, or ammo is the limit. Then instead of dumping money in equipment do it again, offhand. Have fun.