Remington 700 VTR problem

[Eck6]

HI I just purchased a new Rem 700 VTR in .223 in late august and I am having problems sighting the rifle in. I am able to get the rifle on target but it is very inconsistant and each shot could be a few inches away from the last in any direction. I was just wondering if anybody else has experienced this with their rifle or if they know what is causing it whether it be the rifle or the scope. As far as equipment and materials I am using the scope is a new Redfield 1-9x 40mm with the accu plex reticle the mounts are Talley Premium and I have been using Remington .223 55gr UMC ammuntion. I have also been shooting from a range of 100yrds from a shooting bench. Any information is much appreciated.

Thanks, Eck6

 

[unwise11]

most likely the scope, or you, i thought i had a bad gun at first, got over my flinch and shot a 7/8ths inch group at 100 yards a month later.
but you probly need a better scope.

 

[ricebasher302]

I had the exact same problem with the exact same rifle! No better than 6" at 100 yds. It was not the scope. I mounted several different scopes to be sure. I tried removing the pressure pads at the front of the fore end to free-float the barrel, but that did nothing. I then put a Hogue stock on it with action pillars and it immediately solved the problem. DITCH THE STOCK!!! Remington needs to get it together!

Consider all possibilites first of course. As Ranger said, scopes can be defective too, and the way you shoot is important, but if you're an experienced shooter, that should not be a problem.

Remington's plastic stocks are junk. Sometimes thay work extremely well, other times not. IMO, a product that cannot consistently perform is junk.

 

[esheato]

The new Redfields are being made by Leupold, so I doubt that is your issue. One thing you can do is make sure all the screws are tight (bases and rings).

Talley rings definitely shouldn't be the problem either.

Stock? Possibly, but before you make that leap, shoot some QUALITY ammunition. Black Hills, Hornady, etc....make sure you're also shooting the correct bullet weight for your twist rate.

Lastly, what type of bench and bag system are you using? It doesn't take much wobble in your setup to throw bullets all over the place downrange.

Ed

BTW, welcome to THR.

 

[ricebasher302]

The VTR has a 1-in-9" twist, so 55 grainers shough be perfect. I would, however, shoot a couple of other brands first to be sure. You wouldn't want to spend the $$ on a new stock only to find out it was some other issue.

I shot about 7 brands of ammo through mine with the same results.

After then new stock went on, cheap 50 gr. bulk Federal loads went MOA.

Whatever you do, do NOT overlook the stock no matter what!!!

Make sure you report back your findings too.

 

[NCsmitty]

You'll first need quality ammo to determine where the problem is occurring. If you are shooting FMJ Remington ammo, that could be most of the problem.
If that doesn't cure it, then a simple action only bedding procedure would be next.



NCsmitty

 

[LoonWulf]

Id check- equipment tightness, then shooter, then ammo, then scope, then bedding. Reason for doing it this way is cost: a lose mount screw, or action bolt might not be noticed untill everything was dismounted, shooter error is easy to check just get somebody else to give her a try, ammo's alot cheaper then anything else your likely to replace, scopes the next cheapest, then look at messing with the bedding because of the work and possible cost related.

 

[10-96]

but you probly need a better scope.

Seriously? I mean... Surely you don't... Well... Oh, never mind.

 

[Coal Dragger]

He's 14 years old, cut him a little slack. He only has 14 years worth of life experience, but he's working on it everyday....

 

[Coal Dragger]

Eck6,

A few suggestions:

1.) Check that all scope mounting hardware is properly secured.

2.) Check that all rifle stock and action screws are properly snugged (not tight, just snug).

3.) Shoot a group. If the group is still bad go to step 4.

4.) Acquire one box of different ammo with a different bullet weight, brand, etc.

5.) Shoot a group. If the group is still bad go to step 6.

6.) Find a more experienced shooter, let him/her shoot the rifle. If results are still bad see step 7.

7.) Dismount scope, and replace with a different optic. Bore sight, and then shoot a group. If results are still not satisfactory you have eliminated the scope as a problem. Go to step 8.

8.) Send rifle back to Remington demanding rifle be made to shoot with satisfactory consistency.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Ball ammo isn't known for accuracy-----check to see the scope mounts are tight and try some different ammo before going to extremes.

What's the twist rate on that rifle?

 

[TonyAngel]

Yeah, it doesn't sound to me like you have an equipment problem. From what I've seen the new Redfields are pretty nice scopes. You mounting solution sounds solid too. No offense, but have you confirmed by way of experience shooting other rifles that you are capable of shooting tight groups. I'm just asking because you didn't say. I've seen lots of guys get all of the right equipment and then expect the rifle to shoot itself into one hole.

Assuming that you can shoot, I'd ditch that ammo. Some rifles will do well enough with it, but it's a far cry from match ammo. Go out and get you some Federal Gold Medal Match loaded with 69gr Sierra Match Kings or really anything loaded with the 69gr SMKs. Assuming a good shooter, if the rifle won't shoot those, there's something wrong with the rifle. You could also try some black hills, but the last batch that I got was really lack luster.

 

[JDGray]

I had the exact same problem with the exact same rifle! No better than 6" at 100 yds. It was not the scope. I mounted several different scopes to be sure. I tried removing the pressure pads at the front of the fore end to free-float the barrel, but that did nothing. I then put a Hogue stock on it with action pillars and it immediately solved the problem. DITCH THE STOCK!!! Remington needs to get it together!

How do aftermarket stocks look with that triangle barrel?

 

[Uncle Mike]

Do all Coal Dragger has mentioned....word though, torque your action screws to 40 INCH pounds (lb/in.). We have seen the VTR's tighten up with this amount of torque applied, this is not an across the board value, most VTR's just wont shoot, but some will, and 40 inches pf torque has proven to help.

Try it, and let us know the results.

 

[Eck6]

thanks for all the help I'll order some ammo tonight because I have already remounted the scope twice and ill check the screws again. If none of this works I'm gonna give Remington a call and see whats up with it. I was just wondering though is it a possibility that the concussion from the muzzle break could knock the zero off because when we were shooting it for the first time it was knocking my binos out of focus?

 

[Coal Dragger]

It shouldn't at least not if you are using a piece of glass of reasonably high quality. You can check by mounting another scope if you have one on hand.

Out of curiosity what is your experience level at shooting centerfire rifles?

 

[ricebasher302]

Here's an okay picture of mine in the Hogue stock. I thought it looked pretty good. If you go this route, just make sure you get a stock made for heavy barrels to make sure the triangular on will float in the stock.

 

[Eck6]

My experience level with shooting is good im by no means a pro but im good enough that I can tell its the rifle not me thats doing the missing.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Not saying you're a bad shot, but before you do anything rash I would suggest maybe finding a known experienced shooter who consistently shoots well.

I have managed to accumulate a lot of shooting experience in the USMC, and competitive pistol and rifle while in college at Southwest Missouri State University. I even made collegiate nationals in 2003 at Ft. Benning.

Now all that said, if I were having problems like yours, I would still find another shooter of known quality and have them give the rifle a try. We all have bad days, and as good of a shot as you or I think we are, someone out there is even better. Trust me on that last part, when I was competing actively I was a really really damn good pistol shooter and was also very good on rifle, but I've met plenty of other shooters that would and did out shoot me on any given day. Or in some cases every day.

 

[TonyAngel]

Then definitely try some decent ammo. A stock might help too. A inexpensive solution might be to pick up an LTR pull off stock, although I don't know if it will even fit. I know that the Hogue stock on my SPS Tactical .308 has a good bit of flex in it.

I really feel for ya. These sorts of things can make you crazy.

 

[Eck6]

Yeah ill see if I can get some one whos a better shot to shoot it. But as far as the ammo I'm not sure if even half way decent stuff would be all over the target like it was I've never seen anything like it before.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Some rifles really hate certain bullet weights, and styles of bullets. Maybe your rifles barrel really hates boat tail bullets in 55gr weight range. Maybe tomorrow you head down to the sporting goods store and buy a box of 62gr match ammo and the rifle turns around and shoots like a house on fire. Hence the importance of trying multiple ammo types and bullet weights.

 

[Snakum]

It's definitely not the scope. As mentioned, you need better ammo, a good check of the rings and bases, and an experienced long range shooter on the trigger to rule out the operator. Also, I've read many places about variable quality/accuracy with the VTRs. A 700P it ain't.

 

[amflyer]

One thing that no one has mentioned so far is to properly clean and de-copper the bbl. You can lose track of how many shots you've fired in an easy-to-shoot caliber, and pretty soon you're up there in number. My single Remington rifle is one of my most consistently accurate, but it is also the one that fouls the bbl. with jacket metal the most. If your barrel is all coppered up, you'll spray those shots around pretty regular.

 

[chestnut ridge]

I have the same rifle. I had the same problem. I was using low rings;
and the scope objective was touching the barrel.