accuracy issues with rem model 700 .30-06

[jollyskwala]

Hey Guys-

I would love to hear your opinions and/or suggestions as to why I can't get consistent groups with this gun. The first shot is usually right on and then from there it moves further and further off. (from 3'" to over 10") I've shot quickly, I've waited 5 min between shots.... clean barrel, fouled barrel.  I've tried several different bullets and had settled on the Federal Vital Shock w/ Nosler partition  180 grains. I've tried 165 grains as well. Tried 4 different brands of factory bullets. I don't hand load..maybe some day, but not this day or season.  I'm not a master marksman by any means, but I've killed 11 animals with one shot and in the past could get 2" groups, which was good for me. It could be me to some degree but it's such a large variance, I don't think it is.  I've been shooting a fair amount over the past 6 weeks,  60-70 bullets worth.. Colder days, hotter days.  At the advice of a gunsmith had the barrel glassed to the stock, since the stock had developed some minor warping(could not slide a dollar bill evenly between the barrel and stock........ I'm at a loss as to what I should do. Middle of season dilemma.......  What do you guys think

[thinkingman]

Does it have a Leupold mounted on it?
If so, it's the perfect storm of moderately accurate cartridge, very inconsistent rifle design, and a scope which is probably due for a trip to Oregon.

I would have someone else shoot it to see if they get the same results, then start with the scope and mounts....Mount a different scope and shoot it.

The rifle could have any number if ills.

Your first, cold-bore shot is the money shot, anyway.

[bobcat]

I would agree that it could be a scope issue, but not sure why thinkingman seems to think it would be a Leupold.   

Since it's already been glass bedded, the scope is the first thing that comes to mind.

[Bob33]

It is more than likely either bedding, or a bad scope.

When did this change in accuracy occur? An inadequate job of glass bedding could easily be the cause.

[jay.sharkbait]

Are the action screws tight?

Better yet torqued to factory settings?

[jason stevens]

Try grouping at 25 yards if its off then somethings wrong if its not it could be you my guess with that kind of difference something is wrong like stated earlier scope or bad bedding

[Easy-E]

I had to quit drinking coffee to get my groups from coffee cup size to thumbnail size. Once I got rid of the hot-brew microjitters the marksmanship skills improved tremendously.

[jollyskwala]

Thanks for the suggestions, I was planning on having a buddy shoot it as a sanity check. The  scope is a vortex viper upgraded to it  last year from a Leupold. It seems like a nice scope and was installed by a guy who seemed to know what he's doing at Bob  Wards in Missoula. Checked the action screws but did not check with a torque wrench. I will do that and depending on what happens with another shooter, try a different scope. I know Remington's are not the most accurate and this might be enough to push me to get another rifle. It's taking a a lot of time and not sure if it's worth it for this rifle.......

[WoodlandShooter]

I had to quit drinking coffee to get my groups from coffee cup size to thumbnail size. Once I got rid of the hot-brew microjitters the marksmanship skills improved tremendously.

^^^ THIS^^^

[Blacktail Sniper]

Remingtons generally are very good shooters, at least the older ones!  Some of the newer ones seem to be lacking the quality of their predecessors. 

I would look close at the scope mounts, including rings, make sure they are not loose and shifting, then next step would be trying a different scope.  Like any thing with moving parts, failure can and does happen.

My Remington made in 1981, in .30/06 shooting factory green & yellow boxed 180 grain Core-Lokts, seems to do just fine.  At 100 yards with a Leupold 3-9:

[buckfvr]

CLean the bore........take three shots to foul the bore, then commence your slow, cool barrel shots.  Do not use a snake or patches between 3 or 5 shot strings.  If it wont group after that, Im thinkin bases and or rings.........they need to be torqued to 20in lbs on the bases or rail, and depending on mfgr, 20 to 25in lbs on the rings.

If its on a rail, make sure rings are held forward against the rail slot during  initial tightening.

[Blacktail Sniper]

buckfvr, have never used a rail type mount, what is the purpose of holding the rings forward against the rail vs just setting in place and properly tightening then down? 

[buckfvr]

We use Warne rings on Weaver rails on magnum applications.....a you- tube videos explains this as just another safeguard against recoil induced movement.....suggesting if the rails are to the rear or free, there is a potential for movement.......I know.......might be a bit anal, but I cant deny I am on alot of this stuff.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Cool, thanks for the info...kinda makes sense, especially on magnums.   

[Bofire]

 :)You say it moves further off, does it move "off" consistently? like always right or low? or just scatter all over? I am suspicious of the bedding, did it shoot consistently with the old Leupold scope?
Carl