First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

[aperdue]

Well, finally got my stock and bottom metal in so last night I put it together and got back from the range a few minutes ago. Let me preface this with the fact that I am very green when it comes to precision shooting, so even though these may not be great to you guys, I am thrilled with the results. First, the rifle
AAC-SD in McMillan HTB, Surgeon DBM, Vortex PST FFP MRAD:

This were my very first 10 rounds on paper. Got lucky, my very first shot was dead center after dropping my scope 30 mils to compensate for the 20MOA base:

And this was my final target of the day:

All in all, I couldn't be happier and am excited to see the groups shrink with more practice. For my next two purchases, I am going to get a Harris S-BRM and am thinking an AAC762SD can. Thanks for looking!!!

 

[sab9259]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Nice. Bed the rifle and I bet your groups will shrink

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Minus that one shot that dropped low that's a pretty good group in the first picture. I've got an AAC SD as well that I'm building out into a light, compact "budget" build. Do you still have the X Mark Pro in yours?

 

[aperdue]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Yep. Still have the X-mark. I am not good enough to nee a good trigger yet but it will happen eventually.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Don't ever think you're not good enough for better equipment. I bet if you replaced the trigger with an old style Remington trigger or some other aftermarket trigger your groups would shrink a bit more. I've been toying with the X Mark Pro on my AAC SD and I haven't been able to get it come below 5+ lbs period. I'm only guessing it's around 5+ lbs because that's where my trigger pull gauge maxes out.

 

[Curt1521]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Nice shooting and nice stick

 

[The Gump]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sab9259</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice. Bed the rifle and I bet your groups will shrink </div></div>
^^^

 

[ollie]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Great looking rig, i have one that im waiting on the stock. Is yours te 8twist? what slug and load you running?

 

[aperdue]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ollie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great looking rig, i have one that im waiting on the stock. Is yours te 8twist? what slug and load you running? </div></div>

Thanks. It is a 1 in 10 twist bbl. It is the stock bbl that comes with the AAC-SD 700. In the first group, I was using a load from a local manufacture using 168gr Sierra Match Kings. The last group was 168gr FGMM.

 

[aperdue]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Sake</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sab9259</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice. Bed the rifle and I bet your groups will shrink </div></div>
^^^ </div></div>

From my understanding, bedding would be redundant due to the use of pillars between the action and dbm. Is this not the case?

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Bedding a McMillan isn't absolutely necessary, I've shot unbedded McMillans that were plenty accurate, but it helps make sure it consistently goes back in the stock if you removed the barreled action.

 

[dk-1]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: aperdue</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Sake</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sab9259</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice. Bed the rifle and I bet your groups will shrink </div></div>
^^^ </div></div>

From my understanding, bedding would be redundant due to the use of pillars between the action and dbm. Is this not the case? </div></div>

I guaranty that stock is putting pressure in unwanted places on the action. A good bedding job will cure that. Unbedded= 1 MOA accuracy. Bedded= 1/2 or sometimes better accuracy. Every once in a while you could get lucky and achieve great results from an unbedded stock, but it is rare.

On a side note, I just switched to a McMillan A3 on a custom 260. I had to take quite a bit of material from the action area pre-fitting it for the bedding. I like to get them where the action is completely supported by the pillars, to the point that I can slide a dollar bill between the stock and the action, before I bed them. This is one step that assures a stress free bedding job.

 

[sab9259]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

Im by no means an expert but i would never consider bedding a rifle redundant. It can never hurt, some people even bed chassis systems.

 

[Shootnjunky]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

I bought this same rifle, I ordered a B&C A5 stock for it and sent the barrel and bolt off for fluting. I will be looking for posting my own results and see how they compare.

I am also interested in bedding and whether it will be needed in my stock. I can see if there is movement in the action fron to back in the stock itself. But if not I am assuming that it is still a good idea?

 

[dk-1]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

You should always check your stock for runout. To do this, place your barrel in a vice equipped with soft jaws, with the bottom up. Place a dial indicator with a magnetic base on the barrel and the dial needle on the stock. Loosen the front stock screw and watch the dial for runout. Note any movement then tighten it back up. Loosen the rear screw and watch the dial, noting any movement. If you have more than .003-.004 it needs to be bedded or rebedded.

 

[.50 Cal Cow]

Re: First groups from my new 700AAC-SD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Trigger Monkey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't ever think you're not good enough for better equipment. I bet if you replaced the trigger with an old style Remington trigger or some other aftermarket trigger your groups would shrink a bit more. I've been toying with the X Mark Pro on my AAC SD and I haven't been able to get it come below 5+ lbs period. I'm only guessing it's around 5+ lbs because that's where my trigger pull gauge maxes out. </div></div>

Agree whole heartedly. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at the value you could get out of a tuned or aftermarket trigger.

Took my 700 Sendero to a local gunsmith to have the X-Mark pro tuned down. He also couldn't get the trigger safely below 5 lbs. Ended up just getting a Timney and set it too 3lbs. The trigger will definitely help.