Improving long range accuracy

[Crunchy]

Ok I tried the search feature and didnt find what I was looking for, although I am sure it has been asked.  I am looking to improve the long range action of my hunting rifle, 700BDL in 7mag.  It is completely stock at this point.  Not looking at doing anything drastic.  What suggestions do you have?

[92xj]

reload

[Crunchy]

Not sure how much reloading will improve accuracy.  I shoot factory ammo Federal Premium which I have been happy with.  I guess that is an option 

[bobcat]

Glass bed the action and install an aftermarket trigger, or have a gunsmith lighten up the current trigger.

[92xj]

Not looking to do anything drastic, nothing you do will result in noticable accuracy gains.  I guess it really depends on your definition of drastic.  Non drastic changes to me would not be worth it on my guns for increasing accuracy.  But, reloading, trying all new cases, primers, powders, bullets OALs and so on can greatly increase your accuracy without changing or touching anything on the gun.  I went from 2" groups from factory ammo to .63" groups in my 300 by relaoading and experimenting.  Nothing was changed on the gun. 

[Crunchy]

Not looking to do anything drastic, nothing you do will result in noticable accuracy gains.  I guess it really depends on your definition of drastic.  Non drastic changes to me would not be worth it on my guns for increasing accuracy.  But, reloading, trying all new cases, primers, powders, bullets OALs and so on can greatly increase your accuracy without changing or touching anything on the gun.  I went from 2" groups from factory ammo to .63" groups in my 300 by relaoading and experimenting.  Nothing was changed on the gun. 

By drastic I meant changing out the barrel or someting along those lines.  Not sure I have the time to devote to reloading, and testing different ammo but I see your point.  I was looking at $300-$500 limit if that is a sufficient number.

[92xj]

Not looking to do anything drastic, nothing you do will result in noticable accuracy gains.  I guess it really depends on your definition of drastic.  Non drastic changes to me would not be worth it on my guns for increasing accuracy.  But, reloading, trying all new cases, primers, powders, bullets OALs and so on can greatly increase your accuracy without changing or touching anything on the gun.  I went from 2" groups from factory ammo to .63" groups in my 300 by relaoading and experimenting.  Nothing was changed on the gun. 

By drastic I meant changing out the barrel or someting along those lines.  Not sure I have the time to devote to reloading, and testing different ammo but I see your point.  I was looking at $300-$500 limit if that is a sufficient number.

Thats a good number to work with!  Start with the trigger like others have expressed and go from there.

[Bob33]

Dry firing is free.

[Crunchy]

No matter how much work you do or how much $$ you spend on a gun, it won't matter if you can't control yourself.  I use to see it all the time, guys with expensive custom built "high accuracy" guns who couldn't shoot a group under 2" at 200 yards.  Shooting is 95% mental.

Lets pretend I am already a good shot  Well at least better than most. 

[PolarBear]

I wasn't saying that you were.  I have no doubt that you are a great shot.   I was merely making a statement from years of observation and not a personal jab.

[Crunchy]

Wasnt taken that way. 

[Mongo Hunter]

Well you got a great gun to start with not sure what else is needed. I know some of the stocks that come on the 700's sometimes leave a little to be desired, Hogue makes one with a Aluminum bedding block all through the stock for about $280.

http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=654_670&products_id=172

That might help some.

However on my 700 I found reloading by hand I could make ammo specifically for my gun and at 100 yards testing I stacked them on top of one another.

Also a good scope will always help. not that the scope itself makes you more accurate but good glass WILL help with seeing clearly at a distance.

[Crunchy]

Agreed on the glass.  Nothing fancy on that end, it is a Leupold 4.5x14x40 with the CDS dial for long range. 

[Mongo Hunter]

Well you got a great gun and scope. Reloading might have to be your next step. I know its a pain to get it right for your gun but there are alot of people on here who shoot and reload and might be able to give you a few pointers or shortcuts so you don't have to go through all your supply's testing. I personally use Nosler 150gr Ballistic tip boat tails loaded to about 3100 FPS which is the max load according to the loading manual.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Looks like reloading is a good idea. Maybe someone with the reloading equipment can help you dial in one good load for that rifle. Then that would be the load for life! Say maybe a IMR 4350 powder and and a 165 gr bullet? The reloading books talk alot about how to and why. Good luck!

[hillbilli]

you mentioned improving accuracy of your rifle.. but what kind of groups are you getting at 100yds now?? 1"? 3"?  and what do you consider 'long range"... 300yds? 600yds? and compared to your current chosen factory load- how many other loads have you tried? how is the factory trigger? the rem 700 trigger is not that hard to improve, if thats an issue.. is your current barrel freefloated? or does it touch the stock forward of the action? how does the crown of your barrel look? perfect? dinged up?

[Jim the Plumber]

Like hillbilli stated, we need way more information.
With the set up you have and the budget you offered, long range isn't in the picture.

[bobcat]

Maybe his definition of "long range" is the same as mine (400 yards).

[JimmyHoffa]

I would say practice a lot, especially at the ranges you consider long.  As for gun alterations, I'd start with free float, bedding and adding some weight to the stock.

[KFhunter]

No matter how much work you do or how much $$ you spend on a gun, it won't matter if you can't control yourself.  I use to see it all the time, guys with expensive custom built "high accuracy" guns who couldn't shoot a group under 2" at 200 yards.  Shooting is 95% mental.

Lets pretend I am already a good shot  Well at least better than most.

   that's what they ALL say (including me) 

[JackOfAllTrades]

We have no baseline here...
 
Are you capable of shooting moa or sub moa groups at any distance with said rifle and factory ammo?  If you really are a good shot and can already shoot sub moa, then 300-500 bucks isn't going to get you much.  So, what result are you getting now, and what are your expectations?
 
With any rifle, a good glass/pillar bedding is usually in order but if you already have a rifle that shoots well, then don't expect noticable results from that. Generally the next step from bedding would be a better/adjustable trigger. Your glass is good enough unless you're thinking of more than 500yd target distances. (yes, I know there are many that would say it's good to better than that) But if the rifle is capable of 800yd accuracy, then I'm betting most experienced long range shooters are going to suggest better optics. You're not going there for another $500. You better get deeper pockets. If your barrel is good,  Next would be bolt lug/action truing/headspacing. That belted magnum headspaces on the belt, but the correct setup will have it set on the shoulder too. Probalby also not within your $500 budget. Still, any improvement to the action will not make sub par factory ammo shoot into the same hole at long distances. It all starts with the cartridge. So, as many have already posted... Reloading quality ammo, talored to your gun will get you the best results from your shooting package.
 
-edit  ... Oh, and more practice.

-Steve

[Jim the Plumber]

Maybe his definition of "long range" is the same as mine (400 yards).

You are correct, however the lack of information leaves me using my definition of long range.
He can't get there.

[bullcanyon]

Learn about ballistics.  Different bullets will be better at different ranges.  High bc bullets like the 162gn amax or 168gn Berger would be good choices for that 7mm. Nosler will have a new one out this year that should be good.

[rbros]

Definitely need more info here on defining long range.  The 7 RM is very capable when a guy starts handloading for a long range rifle.  But there is more to it than just that.  Some shooters just aren't accurate enough for long range shooting.  There is no substition for practice.  Improvements to the rifle would be:

Bedding
Trigger
Repeatable optics
Proper gun fit
Reloading

This would be a budget "fixup" for a factory gun to see what its made of.  Even then it may or may not have what it takes.  Again, if 400yds is long range, a guy can get away with quite a bit.  If 1000-1500yds is long range, the setup and the shooter needs to be correct.

[Crunchy]

OK maybe i need to think about reloaded because so many of you seem to have that in your responses.  As far as range goes, the CDS dial goes out to 700plus.  I would like to do some target shooting in the 300-600 yard range.    Currently at 200 I shoot can shoot a three inch group, but am getting an occasional flyer (operator error most likely).  I was looking for a list of what everyone thought would be top priorities (money best spent) in getting better accuracy from your hunting rifle. thanks for all the ideas.

[arees]

For my 1970s vintage 700 in 7mmRM the most improvement came from floating the barrel.  Mine had a lump built into the stock that pressed up on the barrel.  That lump had a bubble in the varnish on it.  It drove my groups into an oblong pattern stretching away from the bubble and lump.  Floating the barrel cleaned all of that up.

I also bedded the action at the same time.  After that the accuracy was well under a half inch at 100 yards with hand loads.  The rifle out shoots me.

What are your groups like now?

[lostbackpacker]

"long range" for me is defined as.....If I can't hit it with a rock, it's long range

[Special T]

I had the same idea in mind when i got my Rem700 06. I took it too my gun smith and threw out alll those different options. His responce was SLOW DOWN! His first sugestions was a trigger job. I went from 8.5 of gritty pull to 3.5 of smooth crisp trigger. Bang for the buck, that helped my shooting a bunch. That improvement was for less than $100. Now i have not got into reloading but from every serious shooter that will have more positive effect on your gun than anything else. (Provided there is nothing like the oblong groups happening to your pattern.)

I believe getting the most out of your rifle is a slow process of documenting, inspections and testing.

[jaymark6655]

OK maybe i need to think about reloaded because so many of you seem to have that in your responses.  As far as range goes, the CDS dial goes out to 700plus.  I would like to do some target shooting in the 300-600 yard range.    Currently at 200 I shoot can shoot a three inch group, but am getting an occasional flyer (operator error most likely).  I was looking for a list of what everyone thought would be top priorities (money best spent) in getting better accuracy from your hunting rifle. thanks for all the ideas.

1.5MOA thats not bad for factory ammo.

Reloading makes a huge difference, especially in flyers (if its not operator error).  Since most ammo is mass produced, it will have certain inaccuracies in the powder load.  A box of fusions I pulled the bullets on had a +/- of a grain or two in the powder.

What kind of stock is on the rifle.  My 700 came with the plastic stock; almost impossible to bed, not free floating and everytime I would load the bipod for a shot it would twist just a little bit differently throwing the shot off in a new direction each time.

Between the stock and reloading a person could go through $500 really quickly.

[GEARHEAD]

BDC on the scope, and Quality bullets....

[coachcw]

for the bang , timming trigger, glass bed and quality ammo fed premium or horandy sst's. if you have decent glass make sure you have good mounts , talley or lepould . front bipod and rear bag . a level for the scope will help a bunch long range as well.