Can't get rifle to group

[superdown]

I had a rem mdl700 mtn rifle in 270winchester and it loved Winchester 140grain fail safe and the 130 ballistic silver tip it had a Bushnell 3-9X40 dusk to dawn scope with Bushnell split aluminum rings and cheap weaver two piece aluminum bases it would shoot about an inch for the first three shots and then you really needed to let it cool for 5-10min between shots if i wanted to maintain accuracy .

[bearhunter99]

I had the same problem with a Thompson Center Encore barrel.  The barrel was never crowned at the factory.  Had the barrel crowned and it became a sub MOA gun.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Bad group size is relative... What distance are you shooting from? What group size are you expecting? From a good rest and are you an experienced shooter? Trigger weight is? Scope model? Rings and bases tight? What (be specific) ammo are you shooting? There's not enough information in your post to let us help you much.  Like has been said, most often poor shot groups from a modern rifle will be the 'shooter', or the 'sighting system'. Sure, loose action mounting to the stock will do the same. Factory ammo is actually pretty good these days.

-Steve

[10Key]

Thanks for the ideas. I have a nikon pro staff scope and am shooting Remington Premier Accu tips in 165. They group 4-6" at 100 yds and I have shot it off a bench with a front rest, no rest and off hand, with similar results. I have tried Hornady and Federal ammo in 165 grain solid point bullets. Before I head back to the range I am going to check all of the scope mount screws, check the crown (it is crowned) and wait a bit longer between rounds. The trigger is heavy it seems, I am sure that it is still factory set. Also, I will see if I can get another shooter to give it a try. I would think groupings of 2-4" wouldn't be too much to ask

[Mookie]

I just went through this with my brand new savage. I had a Nikon prostaff 4-12 with a weaver tac mount. turns out it was a bad scope, barrel and the cheap stock, all combined it shot horrid. Replaced the scope, shot way better (it actually grouped), then I replaced the barrel, shot super, then I replaced the stock, stopped throwing shots.

Are the groups consistently the same size and shape? Vertical or horizontal stringing? Is it throwing a shot wide? How is the trigger?

[actionshooter]

 If all you have shot are the 165s, try some 180gr

[SkookumJeff]

Assuming you are shooting from/with a rest, make sure you take each shot with the rifle forearm resting on the rest at the same point on the forearm for every shot.  If you vary the rifle positioning on the rest (from shot to shot) it can and will affect your shot placement.  Never shoot with the barrel on the rest...

If your rifle has fixed sights on it, pull the scope and shoot with the sights, if the groups tighten up, you need a new scope.

Skook

[Miles]

I just went through this with my brand new savage. I had a Nikon prostaff 4-12 with a weaver tac mount. turns out it was a bad scope, barrel and the cheap stock, all combined it shot horrid. Replaced the scope, shot way better (it actually grouped), then I replaced the barrel, shot super, then I replaced the stock, stopped throwing shots.

 
So basically you got a new rifle, and it shot better then the old one.

[JimmyHoffa]

Another thing to try is to shoot at the smallest target you can.  I like to use small chevron type targets and shoot for the very tip of the chevron.  I had grouping issues in the past using large 'dot' targets...difficult to get exact dead center.

[high country]

clean that rifle. pull the scope and replace it with a different one. I would suspect the scope or mounts. I have broken several over the years.

[Curly]

Is the rifle new to you?  And you've never gotten acceptable groups with it?  Get some cheap Winchester Power Point ammo or Remington Cor-Lokt ammo while you're trying to figure out the problem.  I think the cheap ammo can shoot really good most of the time while sometimes the premium ammo can be more finicky.........

[Alchase]

Another thing to try is to shoot at the smallest target you can.  I like to use small chevron type targets and shoot for the very tip of the chevron.  I had grouping issues in the past using large 'dot' targets...difficult to get exact dead center.

Actually I do just the opposite when sighting in. I use large targets that have vertical and horizontal lines bisecting the center of the target (most targets do this) then I use the whole cross hair aligned with both vertical and horizontal lines at the edges of the target, not the center of the target. This ensures the same aimpoint every shot. Once dialed in I then move to a small target. Aim small shoot small, but to do that you have to have consistency first.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Thanks for the ideas. I have a nikon pro staff scope and am shooting Remington Premier Accu tips in 165. They group 4-6" at 100 yds and I have shot it off a bench with a front rest, no rest and off hand, with similar results. I have tried Hornady and Federal ammo in 165 grain solid point bullets. Before I head back to the range I am going to check all of the scope mount screws, check the crown (it is crowned) and wait a bit longer between rounds. The trigger is heavy it seems, I am sure that it is still factory set. Also, I will see if I can get another shooter to give it a try. I would think groupings of 2-4" wouldn't be too much to ask

Yes, your rifle should shoot less than 2" at 100yds. But just shoot some Remington Corelokts until you figure things out. No reason to waste money on better ammo.   I've been a competitive shooter on and off for years. Those of us that shoot sub-MOA groups at any distance don't do it with 6 pound triggers. I'll agree with 'smaller target' is better. But not so small that you can't see it at that distance through the scope at it's highest power. I use 1" paster squares on white paper.  Set your cross hairs like this for the best opportunity to group tightly. Don't adjust your scope at all. Shoot to the same point of aim every time and see what your groups are like. Then after shooting a group, adjust your scope depending upon where the group is. Wait one minute for the number of each shot fired. (one minute after the first shot, two minutes after the second shot, three minutes after the third...) Don't drink coffee/MountainDew and such, to keep your BP at rest. A front rest is great, but a butt rest on V'd sand bag is a big help. Tuck the rifle in to your shoulder tighly. Sometimes I put the off hand on top of the scope, sometimes pulling back on the Butt-wrist with a relaxed trigger hand. Everyone's a little different there. Find what is comfortable for you.   Find target in scope. Exhale. Hold... As you're applying increasing pressure on the trigger until she fires. You want this to be a surprise, not a reaction to seeing the crosshairs right where you want them and jerking the trigger.  If you can't hold that breath long.. Breath, release tight grip.. Blink eyes and restart the process of aquiring target and applying steady/increasing pressure on the trigger after you've exhaled. I'd have to watch you shoot to give more pointers, but that's a good place to start.

Unless you can tell me that you shoot 'your other rifle' to 1" groups all day long, I'm allowing the posibility of something wrong with the sighting system or shooter error. Those Remington barrels shoot just fine out of the box.

-Steve

[bod]

Get some good copper remover, I like bore tech copper remover the gun maybe new or new to you but the bore could be really dirty.

[jackmaster]

i agree with jack of all trades except the holding your breath part once you put enough time into shooting you should be able to control your breathing enough to where your breathing and trigger squeeze will all work together, i never hold my breath it makes you breathe harder your body will learn to take a natural pause, i am sure you know this but just incase you dont breathing effects your up and down and trigger squezze effects side to side. it will probably end up being somethn simple in the end.. good luck to ya