Can't get rifle to group

[Mookie]

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

Damn skippy 

[ducksoup]

I had the same problem with a 700 in 22-250. I tried everything I could think of, different ammo, different scope, had a buddy shoot it, nothing worked! I almost sold it and one day I was a the range being disappointed again and I reached up and touched the front bell on the scope and it MOVED!! What the heck! I removed the scope and re-tightened the mount screws and they were tight. Now I'm really confused! Took it to my gunsmith buddy and he just smiles and tells me that one of the front mount screws is to long and is actually bottoming out on the barrel threads. Sure enough, that's it. I removed the screw, ground it down about a 1/16" replaced it and the problem was fixed. Don't know if this could be your problem but it's worth checking out. Good luck.

[JackOfAllTrades]

except the holding your breath part once you put enough time into shooting you should be able to control your breathing enough

Agree'd, but I don't think we're talking to a vastly experienced shooter. Initially I'll advise to hold breath on the exhale with an improving shooter.

I shoot slowfire pistol with one hand at 50yds. Breathing is not an option.

-Steve

[jeepasaurusrex]

Just like they taught us in BRM.  Breath, relax, aim, squeeze. Take a breath, exhale, and on that short pause at the end of the exhale, squeeze.

Get a snap cap and a dime. Have a friend help you and get in a good steady shooting position. Charge the weapon and take the safety off. Have your helper place the dime on the top of the end of the barrel. Work on your trigger squeeze where you can fire the weapon with out the dime falling off. We did this by the hour and our results improved dramatically.

[10Key]

except the holding your breath part once you put enough time into shooting you should be able to control your breathing enough

Agree'd, but I don't think we're talking to a vastly experienced shooter. Initially I'll advise to hold breath on the exhale with an improving shooter.

I shoot slowfire pistol with one hand at 50yds. Breathing is not an option.

-Steve

You are correct, I've put ~50 rounds through this rifle and it is my first.

[high country]

take a buddy shooting. have your buddy load your rifle for you, and place a spent round in it randomly. it will tell you a lot about your form.

[Miles]

take a buddy shooting. have your buddy load your rifle for you, and place a spent round in it randomly. it will tell you a lot about your form.

Excellent advice.  I used to shoot a lot with someone that would do this quite frequently...you'd be amazed how many people will swear up and down that they are not pulling shots or flinching, that is until they get the "dummy round". 

[10Key]

Here's the update.

We started with giving the rifle a good cleaning, starting with an overnight soak of copper solvent. I couldn't believe the nastiness that came off this morning. Then on to your typical cleaning with solvent, etc. We then hit the range with me shooting the rounds that I have been shooting for some time. I took four shots, spaced out time-wise as advised above. I was all over the place. The first shot was off paper, the second was in the neighborhood and the third and fourth were within 4" of the second shot (first on paper). That didn't go so well. So then it was time for my brother to hit the bench. He ended up shooting a 2.5" group of three shots, spaced out time similar to my round. He was consistently hitting approximately an inch right of his aim point, so we adjusted the scope slightly. He took to more shots and he was dead-nuts on target.

So, it seems to me that someone (me) needs to get some practice under their belt. It seems that I am pulling (anticipating) the shot a bit, which I think I can help with maybe a slightly lighter trigger pull and obviously, putting more rounds through it.

Thanks for all of the input.

[high country]

The spent round trick will show you all too well how much you flinch.

[Bob33]

"Surprise break"

[BOWHUNTER45]

MT.Rifle is a sweet gun ... but if your shooting more than 2 shots every 15 minutes and are exspecting 1/2 groups forget it ..... the barrels are not made for continous shooting ... the barrels are to thin and were made for going light ....I have loaded many a loads and mine does shoot 1/2 groups but only when I shoot 2 shots and let the barrel cool before shooting 2 more shots ... just not made to bang off 5 shots and exspect 1/2 groups 

[BOWHUNTER45]

take a buddy shooting. have your buddy load your rifle for you, and place a spent round in it randomly. it will tell you a lot about your form.

Excellent advice.  I used to shoot a lot with someone that would do this quite frequently...you'd be amazed how many people will swear up and down that they are not pulling shots or flinching, that is until they get the "dummy round".

think I posted something in this form last week under JERKING THE TRIGGER 

[high country]

MT.Rifle is a sweet gun ... but if your shooting more than 2 shots every 15 minutes and are exspecting 1/2 groups forget it ..... the barrels are not made for continous shooting ... the barrels are to thin and were made for going light ....I have loaded many a loads and mine does shoot 1/2 groups but only when I shoot 2 shots and let the barrel cool before shooting 2 more shots ... just not made to bang off 5 shots and exspect 1/2 groups 

I have a rem ti in 270win that I can shoot .75moa with almost every time and often much better. I have a few targets saved from it where 5 shots go inside .7 moa......not bad for a 7lb all up rig.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Does it got a heaverier barrel on it  or is it a thin barrel ?

[high country]

It has the thinest barrel they ever made from the factory.