new rifle

[maxx40x]

New to the site, take it easy on me, I’m an old guy. I am gonna be needing help with a new rifle. I bought a 40x, in 308 from my brother who thought it was a (pretty gun) he bought it new in2006,put a T36 Weaver FC on top of it in Leopold rings an bases, shot it 52 times, put in his safe. The rifle has not been modified in any way, with this rifle came 200 pcs of new lapua brass. No bullets or powder. I shot it yesterday; Federal match 168 grain sierra’s hpbt. This rifle shot (as I measured it w/ calipers).421,400,510, all 5 shot groups@ 150yards. As that’s all I can get where I was shooting. My question is this; should this rifle be shooting tighter groups than this? And this; the visual signature of this rifle is bout a 10, what can I do at home to bring it down to bout a 1; that is other than rattle-can paint job. And this; what reloading dies, etc. are the best, what powder,primers. No junk, I want quality dies etc. Yeah I know, lotsa questions. God willing, there will be lots more.
Would appreciate any and all info.
Thanks,
Maxx40x

 

[jasonk]

Re: new rifle

Your groups are fine, no reason to worry there.

Look into Varget and H4895 powder, 155 gr Scenar bullets (or Berger or the new Sierras), any large rifle primers you can find and Redding FL Type S dies with bushings.

 

[doc76251]

Re: new rifle

Maxx,

Welcome to the Hide! Lots of good stuff to read and absorb here as well as answers to most of your questions. Review the stickies in each section and you will find most if not all of your answers.

On your stick: It's a 1/2 MOA shooter right now and that in itself is nothing to be sneezed at. You have 2 base levels of capability now, You and the rifle with taht ammo. Neither appear to be too bad in stock form.

To get from 1/2 to 1/4 MOA requires 2 things time and money. Time is practice and money is practice and components. You would be well served to take up the reloading end of things as you will find the most gains for the least $$$$. If you start digging into the rifle you may get minimal gains for maximum $$$$ which are only truely realized after maxing out the ammo and the shooter.

On visuals: Who gives a crap what it looks like if it performs. Gee Whiz cool looking is only worth a dog if it improves performance. I have yet to see a paint job tighten a group.

.02$ for the pot.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[desertHK]

Re: new rifle

maxx40x

Sounds to me that your stick is a keeper as it is. Certainly the triggerman is not bad either. As it is, you are already 0.5 MOA (a little bit less since you were shooting it at 150 yards), to get you 1/4 MOA, is going to be costly and the yield may be small. There are very few shooters who can consistently shoot 1/4 MOA with every grouping. You are going to have good days, and then bad days. IMHO, I would keep the rifle as it is, paint job and good glass when you are ready. I would devote the time and money on reloading components and start reloading. You may be able to shrink your grouping a bit smaller, without the high expense of fixing your rifle. BTW, not bad shooting for an "old guy". Welcome to the Hide, you need pictures of the target next time.

 

[Former0302]

Re: new rifle

I wish I was shooting groups that small! Great job, and sounds like a winner of a rifle. Pics?

 

[nashlaw]

Re: new rifle

You are starting out in a grand fashion.

Doc76251 hit it on the head when he referred you to the reloading section. Tons of information. If you do not find what you need there, post a question and these guys are eager to help.

Welcome to the best site on the 'net.

david

 

[He Shoot Me]

Re: new rifle

Dear Max,

That rifle is a total piece of crap! Doesn't shoot worth a damn, and the barrel is probably bent.

However, I'm a generous man and I hate to see a guy get burned, especially by his own brother. So I'm willing to properly dispose of said rifle so you will no longer be burdened by its incompetence.

Just send it to 1234 Urmyhuckleberry ln. Suckertown, Ca.

Baahaahaa!

-Pat