Accuracy Problem with Remington 30-06

[msgrasso]

When I took my Remington 725 30-06 out this hunting season, I found the scope was all fogged up. Since I only had a few days before I was leaving for a week hunt, I checked out a few local stores and purchased a Leopold VX-I 3-9x40 scope. The store mounted and bore sited the scope.

The problem is that I can't group my shots even when shooting from sandbags on a table. The tightest 6 group set varied by about 5 inches in height and 9 inches in left/right at 90 yards. My brother and father were convinced it was me "pulling off". When my father arrived, I proved it wasn't my shooting capablity by shoot a 1" three shot group with his 7MM.

Even though my father reloads all of the ammo, I tested with different box of once reloaded and got similar results.

The gun is close to 50 years old but it was never shot that much so we don't think its the gun barrel rifling. Could it be? How can you tell?

Could this be the new scope? How it was mounted?

Any help would be a appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Fat_46]

I'd start by checking the scope mount. Sounds like it may be a bit loose.

 

[Babalouie]

So, was it shooting tighter groups before the scope change?

 

[Twud]

With that kinda of group size it's gotta be the scope. If you were shootin loads that had worked in the past it makes me even more suspicious of the mounting job. What brand scope did you but as a replacement?

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Absolutely check the scope. Begin with the mounts. Make sure they are secured to the receiver. Check the rings, make sure they are tight. While you are doing that. Inspect the rifle. I would check the following:

Muzzle/crown. If it is rounded or has a bad ding, that could be the problem. I'd check the bore too. If it hasn't been cleaned and it is an old rifle, maybe it is time to buy a really strong copper cutter and give it a heavy cleaning. Check the mechanicals of the rifle.

I'd check the stock. Are the action screws tightened down? Did the stock warp causing stress to the barrel in the barrel channel?

Finally, I would look into ammo. Some guns really hate certain bullets. In my experience handloading, the whole trick is, some barrels just do not like certain weights of bullets at a certain speed. Is there a load you know for sure used to group well? If so, I'd go to that to eliminate variables.


The last thing is the scope. It is not impossible that the scope is a lemon from day one. They only way you can tell is to first assure yourself that it isn't any of the things I mentioned above. Then you can check. If it is still shooting wildly, I would remove the scope and find a replacement and try that. I know it isn't convenient at all, but it's the only way. Most of these quality scopes like Leupold and similar brands should be good to go, but it happens. You never know. .30-06 is something they should handle, yet the flip side of that coin is that it's not exactly a .22LR either and if something is defective, it is usually the heavier recoiling rifles that expose that defect really fast. Usually in the first box or two of ammo.


I would never take a rifle shooting erratically out hunting. For those that don't know, it is UNETHICAL and unsportsmanlike. Anyone who hunts has a duty, absolutely a duty, to ensure that they produce the most humane kill possible within their control. I'm shocked when I see the kind of rifles, scopes and groups people make at the range when prepping a hunting rifle. I've seen guys happy about 18" groups at 100 yards. That's not a joke. That is not a lie. I am not exaggerating. There's no excuse in this day and age, with the quality rifles, optics and ammo to not have an accurate set up, even for a low cost. The animal deserves better. It is also unsafe to others in the hunting area. Not that you should ever take a shot where you think there is even a 1% or less chance someone is behind the animal, but it is always preferable to ensure to the highest degree possible that you know where your bullet is going to go (in the deer hopefully). I'm no animal activist or tree-hugger. Kill'em and grill'em I say. Just do it the right way.

 

[msgrasso]

I went back to the store where I purchased the scope and showed them the paper targets with the two different patterns. After checking out the gun and scope ring mountings, they offered to replace the scope. So this weekend I will go back to range and hopefully this solved the problem.

Thanks for all of responses.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I really don't think that the problem is in the scope itself.
Inexpensive scope? Maybe, but not the Leopold that you mentioned.
As was mentioned, make sure all of the mounting screws are tight.
Then LOOSEN both trigger guard screws a couple of turns.
Then tighten the FRONT guard screw.
Tighten rear guard screw.
When shooting from the bench, rest the forearm, NOT the barrel on the sandbags
Good Luck, let us know how things work out.
Zeke