Accuracy Issues - Help Wanted

[gdso]

Hi,

I have been shooting for 20 or so years, and have a 17HMR Sako Quad heavy barrel sitting in a semi-custom laminate stock (Joe West) with a 5.5 - 25 x 50 Falcon scope. The barrel has been cut down to 16', screw cut and crowned professionally. I'm not a bad shot, but am having some accuracy issues with this rifle and can't see why.

To put that into context I used to have a CZ 452 in 17HMR and could get that to group 5 rounds inside 10-15mm at about 90- 100m on a still day from a bipod - that had the same scope on. The Quad is nowhere near that and spreads over 30-40mm at the same range. Further, if I sit down and zero it, on taking it out of the bag the next time it seems off again, and during that time it's been locked away in a safe.

I've tried:

- taking the moderator off (I'm in the UK) - no different
- cleaning more or less - some difference, but not much
- changing brands of ammunition - as above
- removing the scope and refitting it - no difference
- fitting another scope - no different.
- putting the rifle back in the OE stock - no change
- the barrel is fitted tightly

With another rifle I can shoot better, so I'm thinking it's not me but the rifle. Someone else who shoots far more than me sees the same problem when shooting my rifle.

Does anyone have any ideas? Any help much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[justin amateur]

The label may have a different brand on it, but they're all assembled by CCI.
Federal, Remington, Hornady and CCI all come off the same machines.
Even the date codes on the plastic boxes are from the CCI line.

CCI has been running those machines hard, no testing of product at the end.
Just box them and ship them. As a result, I've been finding canted bullets,
differing seating depths, split necks and chronograph results from 2298 fps to 2761 fps.
With that kind of ES and lack of quality control, your results/problem is no surprise.

 

[gdso]

Justin,

Thanks for your reply. I used to use the Hornady blue tip 17g rounds, but these are no longer available in the UK and I'm shooting the Winchester version of the same thing with the gold tip. I get a lot of split cases, which I think is why the blue tips were withdrawn?

I went out yesterday and set up targets at 80, 100 & 120m and the rifle was better than usual, but with the occasional very wide shot. Could have been my poor shooting, but I'm not sure.

 

[justin amateur]

Winchester 17 hmr? That may be your problem.
I've given up on Winchester 17 hmr. Less quality control than CCI product.
Fail to fire, visibly defective/deformed brass, poorly seated bullets and lousy mv consistency.
I know the 17 hmr is not intended for use as a precision target round, but I keep trying.
Sometimes I get a run of similar muzzle velocities and this will happen.

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But usually 1-1/2" plus groups at 100 yards.
That's adequate for varminting, but not paper punching.

 

[gdso]

I'm sure that's what it was - came in a red box. I have some Remington Accu-Tip 17g as well which is what I was shooting yesterday. Perhaps best to stick to that.
What are those groups shot with?

 

[justin amateur]

That was Hornady 17 gr V-Max.
Those are the exception, not the rule.
Fired from a CZ 455/Lilja barrel

 

[gdso]

That's something I hadn't thought of - whether it could be the barrel itself. Now to try and find one. Perhaps a call to the local gun shop (who supplied the rifle originally) will do it.