Gun wont group UPDATED: GOT GROUPS

[Stickerbush]

Hey all,

The last few times at the range I find that I cant get my .308 to group very well out to 100 yards. I start at 50 and it seems pretty good but out to 100 its all over the place. I put about 20-30 rounds down range Sunday and I fell like that should be enough to get it sighted in. Not really an experienced shooter but pretty sure I wasn't flinching or jerking the thing. And I was shooting of a good rest. With my seasons getting dangerously close not sure what to do at this point

[Timberstalker]

Try a different ammo. Specifically the weight of bullet.
Do you know what twist your barrel is?

[CP]

Check your sights/scope mounts etc.  make sure everything is tight.

[ghosthunter]

Something is moving I bet.

[ctwiggs1]

Can you describe your group?  Is it completely scattered or is it just mostly up/down, or mostly left/right?

What is your group size at 50 yards?  Is there any consistency there?  Like slightly up/down, or slightly left/right?

Curtis

[Fl0und3rz]

No offense to shooter intended.  Have a friend see if he gets same issue.  Are you resting the barrel on the bag?

Did you do any recent maintenance that had the action out of the stock or scope mounts affected?

If it previously grouped with the same load, and no maintenance, I'd check shooter first, action and scope fasteners tight, then look for things like scope failing.

You might also check for copper fouling if you haven't ever/recently given it a good scrub.

[Bob33]

The last few times at the range I find that I cant get my .308 to group very well out to 100 yards.

“The last few times” implies that at one time the rifle shot well. What changed since the gun shot well? What is the group size at 100 yards?

I start at 50 and it seems pretty good but out to 100 its all over the place

With a telescopic sight a 100 yard group should be approximately twice the size of a 50 yard group. If not, that suggests the shooter is responsible.

I put about 20-30 rounds down range Sunday

How much time do you allow between groups for the barrel to cool?

Not really an experienced shooter but pretty sure I wasn't flinching or jerking the thing.

Take another person, and go through the “ball and dummy” exercise. Have your friend load the rifle for you, and hand it to you to shoot. One time, he does not load the rifle. If you flinch on an empty chamber it will be obvious.

If the gun did indeed shoot well at one point, the most likely causes are a loose screw in the rings or bases. If that is not the cause, check the barrel bedding. Is it supposed to be free floated? If so run a dollar bill between the stock and barrel to see if they touch at any point. If they do that’s your probable culprit.

If everything checks out and the gun still doesn’t shoot, buy another one. Life’s too short to hunt with poorly shooting equipment.

[jmscon]

I had a 30-06 that did not like boat tails, regular spire point was great. As stated above, check everything, make sure it is tight. Make a three shot group and let the barrel cool down so you don't feel any warmth, your barrel isn't hot when you're hunting, right? Another thing, I clean my barrel every ten shots or so to take fouling out of the equation.

[7mmfan]

As has been said by others, check your scope mounts, and make sure the action is seated properly. I've had those bolts come loose spontaneously.

Based on the number of rounds you're saying you shot, heat could very well be an issue. My 7 mag is pretty good to 10 shots and then starts wandering, my 7mm-08 Mountain Rifle is good to 3 or 4 shots and then has rest 5 minutes between shots, the barrel just gets to hot and they start wandering.

[Stickerbush]

The group at 100 didn't seem to have any consistency, just scattered all over the place. I haven't shot the rifle much over the last few years but when I first got it the rifle had good groups at 100.

The mounts are tight but at one time I remember they did get loose. So maybe they are not staying tight? I tried to wait a few minutes between shots, but heat could be possible.

I'm gonna probably take another range day having made sure everything is tight. I'm also going to try to bring some different ammo, while allowing plenty of time between shots. I'll do the flinch test as well, but I did have a buddy shoot it and it still seemed off. Someone at a gun shop told me it has a 1 in 10 twist. I was using 180 grain federals

[Bob33]

You haven't said what your group size is, but a reasonable expectation for a modern rifle is that it should consistently shoot three shots groups of 2" or smaller at 100 yards.

[Fl0und3rz]

I seem to recall some discussion by another person that 180s did not group well out of his .308 rifle.  I personally shoot 165 Nosler Partition and Accurbod handloads with decent groups out of a hunting rifle profiled barrel (Ruger All Weather).  Perhaps consider giving 165s a try if you are buying new ammo.

[jrebel]

What rifle are you shooting and what optics do you have mounted to it.  I have one .308 that only like 150 grain bullets and others that love 165/168.  Could be the ammo...could be the scope is lose...could be the shooter.....ect. ect. ect.  If it were me, I would confirm the scope is secure first.  Then I would clean the bore to make sure I didn't have any copper fowling.  After that I would try a few different ammo choices.  If you still don't have good groups, I would consider trying the rifle with a different scope.  Could be the scope has lose internal components.  Hope this helps....lots of ways to trouble shoot this problem.  All of which are very valid and will give you plenty of trigger time.   

[ctwiggs1]

I shoot 150s for deer, bear, and elk through my .308.

[7mmfan]

What rifle are you shooting and what optics do you have mounted to it.  I have one .308 that only like 150 grain bullets and others that love 165/168.  Could be the ammo...could be the scope is lose...could be the shooter.....ect. ect. ect.  If it were me, I would confirm the scope is secure first.  Then I would clean the bore to make sure I didn't have any copper fowling.  After that I would try a few different ammo choices.  If you still don't have good groups, I would consider trying the rifle with a different scope.  Could be the scope has lose internal components.  Hope this helps....lots of ways to trouble shoot this problem.  All of which are very valid and will give you plenty of trigger time.   

This too, I just remembered when I was young I shot my Grandpas .270 and this happened to me. Very frustrating.