My targets....your opinions please??

[bassquatch]

So I finally got off work early enough to make it to Kenmore today. I am trying to decide if I should send my scope back to Leupold to be checked after my spill or if it could be something else? I noticed today that before shooting at all (cold gun) I could run a dollar down my barrel all the way, near the end of shooting it would hang up halfway down? I cleaned the barrel before each target and waited a minimum of 2 minutes (usually 4+ minutes) between shots. I used shot bags for bracing and took my time.

On the first target after the first 3 shots I adjusted the scope UP four 1/4" clicks and right four 1/4"clicks. The next three shots were up but did not move right? I adjusted 2 more clicks right for the next 3 shots.

On the second target, the gun had rested and cooled for about 10-12 minutes. The first 2 shots were dead nuts! The 3rd shot was good but the 4th went high left? You can see the rest in the pics hopefully?

My question is: shouldn't this thing be adjusting better? It's not bad, but I expect better out of a scoped rifle braced with a rest and sand bags?! I wouldn't have a problem shooting an animal at 100yds as is, but I would hesitate to shoot farther?! 200-300 yards and I don't think I trust the shot at this point? Am I being over zealous? The third pic is what I did with an AR-15 at 60 yards with iron sights....

I'm perplexed. It's my 13 year old Remington Model 700BDL with a same age Leupold VXII 3x9, I was shooting at 100 yards with the ammo in the 4th pic. 

Your opinions as always are welcomed and appreciated 

[j_h_nimrod]

I don't figure you can get a lot better with most of those groups. Seems a bit erratic but groups are staying pretty good for a factory (?) gun with factory ammo. 180s have never been real accurate in my '06s either. Check all scope mounts before you send the scope back, if the scope were bad i would expect more erratic groups.

[bassquatch]

Sorry, it's a 13 year old Remington Model 700BDL with a same age Leupold VXII 3x9. All mounts have been checked. Maybe I should drop down to 165gr and try it again?!

Thanks for the input 

[Curly]

I don't think it's too bad.  It is factory ammo after all.  With handloads, you could probably tighten up the groups and be happier, but you may just have to experiment with different factory loads til you find one that your rifle really likes.

The red in the second target is really good, then one of the yellow is right in with the red.  Maybe the barrel was starting to warm a bit?  Have you had good luck with 180gr Fed Premium w/ Partitions before?

[j_h_nimrod]

Would not hurt and I would probably shoot multiple groups after scope adjustments. Especially with older scopes I have had it take a few groups for the scope to stabilize against its older and stiffer internal surfaces. 165 gr bullets have always been my favorite for the '06.

Good luck getting it dialed in.

[Curly]

You might try Remington Premier Ammo 180gr Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded.  Link (Only $25)

Or Winchester Power Point 180gr Link (Only $20)

You don't have a ton of choices these days with the ammo shortages, but those two choices are available at Midway and are fairly reasonable for today's prices.  I know Remington's shoot well in some rifles and Winchester's are good in others.  Might be worth a try to see if one of them.

The bonded bullet will hold up better than the Power Point, but even the Power Point should be fine for any game at 30-06 velocities. 

[Jim the Plumber]

try a smaller dot aiming point.

[Rob]

I'd try the 165's.  depending on twist rate you might be having stabilization issues. 

Honestly if you could slide a dollar bill down prior to shooting, butnot after, it sounds like the barrel is changing shape after shooting.

you could always put another scope on it and see if that changes anything before you mail it in to leupold.

What does the crown look like?

[thinkingman]

Those shots are fine.
The second pic, after the target change...your cold-bore shots are perfect, and that's what puts animals down.
Honestly, a R700/Leupold/Partition group shouldn't look any better than those.

[Easy-E]

If i read your post right, it sounds like you're concerned more about your scope's crosshairs moving according to the dials than you are about the size of your groups or the ammo you're shooting. The VX-II is a great scope, but it is not a tactical scope.

A couple of comments:

Most people shoot 3-shot groups. I prefer 5-shot groups as I believe they are more statistically valid and help remove the pure, dumb-a$$ luck factor for making a mickey-mouse shaped key-hole and calling it good.

However, if I know i have a load that groups well in my rifle, I much prefer a 1-shot zero on my rifles. This was especially true on my .300 RUM when even my handloads were costing me $1 apiece and I didn't want to spend a wad of cash to futz around zeroing the gun.

I'm pretty new to this forum so maybe someone's already posted somewhere about how to do a 1-shot zero, but the premise is this: set up your target, shoot one shot. Aim your crosshairs at the bullet hole in the target, and hold the rifle steady. Then have a buddy adjust your scope (while you're holding it steady) until the crosshairs move to where you originally aimed. Shoot a second round to confirm that you are now hitting the point of aim. Now go shoot groups if you want.

This removes the problem of your scope clicks not adding up to the physical measurement of relocating your groups on the target.

IMHO, you should be uncomfortable shooting at 300 yards if you've only zeroed at 100. I've been surprised at how my groups move at 300 compared to what I expected based on a ballistics chart and zeroing at 100. Do the 1-shot zero at 300 yards with a huge peice of cardboard; then shoot a 5-shot group. If you're successful grouping at 300, odds are you'll be money at 100. 

[boneaddict]

Jims suggestion might help you the most if you really want to tighten it up.    I use the square targets and aim for a bottom corner.   

[Curly]

 

Here is a link to a target that is better for what you're trying to do:

http://www.wallacebrookarchery.com/100%20Yard%20Rifle%20Target2.jpg

[Crunchy]

I would consider reloading. Here is my target at 550 yards. Two shots into a fresh target once I got my elevation set.  I am using an old turret set for factory ammo.  About an inch apart which isn't bad for shooting off bipods. I made the windage adjustment after this group so i should be money now.  I could not get factory ammo to shoot that well.

[Mongo Hunter]

Try different ammo. Different brand, type, weight ect. I have a Remington 700 with a Leupold and when I first went to sight in I was using Winchesters, I got a PATTERN not a grouping. switched to Remington's and it tightened right up. now I use hand loads and I get sub 1" groups @ 100. I have no idea were this idea came from that 700 shoot like hell out of the box, I have never had a problem. Try different ammo or better yet hand load.

[bobcat]

I know you said your scope mounts are good, but did you lap the rings, and if not do you know your scope is mounted perfectly straight? If it's got a slight bend in it, that will cause your adjustments to not work as they should. With my Leupold VX-III, when I move it 1 click right, the point of impact moves 1/4 inch right, and when I move it 1 click up, the point of impact moves 1/4 inch up, just as it should. If your scope isn't doing that, then I'd suspect something wrong with the scope or something wrong in the way it's mounted.