Question on ammo accuracy?

[Rocky Justice]

Ok so I’m pretty new to the precision rifle game. I’m not new to guns, I grew up on a farm and spent time in the Marine Corp, but putting 5 rounds in one hole is new to me. I built myself a pretty decent rifle, Based on a Remington 700 AAC including the 762-SD can, better stock and a nice scope. I’ve been shooting sub MOA groups pretty consistently with M118 and decided to start working up a round for my rifle. I purchased a large assortment of factory loads and started loading some stuff on my own judging from the results I got from certain Factory loads. The rifle liked M118 and Federal Premium Match 175gr SMK’s, so I started working my hand loads in that realm.

However on one outing I fired some Winchester Silvertips 175 grain and my groups went to crap and I mean really went to crap, 10 rounds in a 3” group. Yesterday I shot some of my hand loads, Hornady 178 grain BTHP, new brass , IMR 4064 and CCI 200 primers, made my first .5” group. Next fired some Hornady Superformance Match in 175 grain and again my groups simply went to crap again 10 rounds in a 3” group. This is high quality Factory ammo, My question is this; Is my Rifle/Ammo combination really the problem? I hear people say my rifle doesn’t like this or that but, the rifle is an inanimate object. Somebody either tell me I’m somehow screwing up or what I’m witnessing is a real phenomenon.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

The simple answer is that when a load is developed for a specific rifle, the goal is to optimize the load for <span style="font-style: italic">that specific rifle</span>. This includes MV, seating depth, and many other factors that take into account the variables specific to that rifle. On the other hand, a factory load needs to shoot <span style="font-style: italic">reasonably well</span> out of many different rifles, or the manufacturer won't be selling many of them.

It is very common to find [a few] factory loads that perform much better than others out of your rifle, because their load specifics are much closer to being optimal for that rifle. Only rarely will you find a factory load that will equal or exceed the performance of a good handload. Again, that's because they need to shoot reasonably well out of a much wider range of weapons rather than be totally optimized for a single weapon the way a good handload can be.

 

[Rocky Justice]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

I understand this and even expected some difference's, I just wasn't expecting such a drastic difference. I will shoot up the remainder of the factory stuff I bought but I think I'll do some variations of the hand load I have developed and Keep running the fundamentals. Thanks for the quick resonance.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

Superformance is very gun specific. My team mate's rifle shoots it sub 1/2 MOA but mine shoots it around MOA. My rifle doesn't like it. His does.

Try some of the standard 178 BTHP loads from Hornady or the 168 AMAX load.

 

[wilecoyote]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

I respectfully need argue about the most important detail : the rifle is NOT an inanimate object !

 

[Rocky Justice]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

My statement was simply that the weapon, does not like or dislike, it is a tool. The nut behind the bolt does the thinking the weapon only responds in kind. However some "Weapon Systems" work better than others.

 

[tomcatfan]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scarfacesquirrel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My statement was simply that the weapon, does not like or dislike, it is a tool. The nut behind the bolt does the thinking the weapon only responds in kind. However some "Weapon Systems" work better than others.
</div></div>

I agree that the weapon doesn't "like or dislike" but its performance can vary drastically based on the variables introduced by the different factory ammo. I agree that the rifle is a tool. But if you want to optimize the performance of that tool, you have to run the right stuff through it. I can't put 87 octane in my r6, its kind of the same thing. That is probably the easiest way I know how to explain it. But as far as the tool, each tool is differnent due to the fact that each rifle is going to have a slightly different resonance frequency, chamber, headspacing, throat, etc. While many of these variances are very minor, they do stack up. Welcome to precision shooting either way and have fun.

 

[wilecoyote]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

my arguing was a joke,of course_excuse my,anyway

 

[Rocky Justice]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

Wilecoyote... I knew that.

 

[Rocky Justice]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

Hince my statement on the Weapon System, Thanks for the help and I'm having a blast.

 

[YAOG]

Re: Question on ammo accuracy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scarfacesquirrel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok so I’m pretty new to the precision rifle game. I’m not new to guns, I grew up on a farm and spent time in the Marine Corp, but putting 5 rounds in one hole is new to me. I built myself a pretty decent rifle, Based on a Remington 700 AAC including the 762-SD can, better stock and a nice scope. I’ve been shooting sub MOA groups pretty consistently with M118 and decided to start working up a round for my rifle. I purchased a large assortment of factory loads and started loading some stuff on my own judging from the results I got from certain Factory loads. The rifle liked M118 and Federal Premium Match 175gr SMK’s, so I started working my hand loads in that realm.

However on one outing I fired some Winchester Silvertips 175 grain and my groups went to crap and I mean really went to crap, 10 rounds in a 3” group. Yesterday I shot some of my hand loads, Hornady 178 grain BTHP, new brass , IMR 4064 and CCI 200 primers, made my first .5” group. Next fired some Hornady Superformance Match in 175 grain and again my groups simply went to crap again 10 rounds in a 3” group. This is high quality Factory ammo, My question is this; Is my Rifle/Ammo combination really the problem? I hear people say my rifle doesn’t like this or that but, the rifle is an inanimate object. Somebody either tell me I’m somehow screwing up or what I’m witnessing is a real phenomenon.
</div></div>

It's simple just don't shoot the ammo that doesn't work in your rifle.

When hand loading use the dimensions of the ammo that works well in your rifle as a starting point and then find a powder and charge that gives you similar velocity to the favored loads and you should have a good place to start your load development. You will probably find a slightly better load for your rifle if you work at it a bit but it's not rocket science or some sort of voodoo. Just take good notes and work from them to narrow your path to a better load for your rifle.

Hope this helps!