I bought a used 40xbr, 20" heavy barrel, in .222. I took it to the range today, very disappointed! Beings I needed brass I bought a box of Nosler custom ammo in 50 grain. I shot a 5 shot group, dead on left/right, but strung out vertically 1.125" at 100yds. I had a 10 mph wind at my back. Any idea what to do to fix it? Thanks
40xbr .222 poor shooter ?
Doug Brown
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I bought a used 40xbr, 20" heavy barrel, in .222. I took it to the range today, very disappointed! Beings I needed brass I bought a box of Nosler custom ammo in 50 grain. I shot a 5 shot group, dead on left/right, but strung out vertically 1.125" at 100yds. I had a 10 mph wind at my back. Any idea what to do to fix it? Thanks
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Unless the previous owner shot a bazillion rounds through it it shouldn't be close to worn out. The 222 should be able to go nearly forever for most people.
50gr should be fine for anything but fast twist rates, which the gun probably doesn't have unless recently rebarreled.
To add to what Sdive said, check that the action screws are torqued properly, the bedding (if any) looks good, and the crown is good. A problem with the action screws or bedding would be my first suspicion.
If the gun is wood stocked, its also possible the stock has warped slightly, make sure the barrel is completely freefloated.
50gr should be fine for anything but fast twist rates, which the gun probably doesn't have unless recently rebarreled.
To add to what Sdive said, check that the action screws are torqued properly, the bedding (if any) looks good, and the crown is good. A problem with the action screws or bedding would be my first suspicion.
If the gun is wood stocked, its also possible the stock has warped slightly, make sure the barrel is completely freefloated.
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Action screws improperly torqued.
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I own 6 other Remington 700 rifles ( 2 varmit & 5 hunting), they all shoot better than the 40xbr. Some are bedded some are not & I've never torqued any of them, just tight ???
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See if any of these suggestions help: CURES for VERTICAL STRINGING
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It's awful hard to say with just the limited info but, if it is consistent with the vertical stringing only, common things, in order that I would check. It's actually not as bad as it sounds if it's just vertical. Usually it can be found and fixed.
1. The stock. I'm guessing it's the stock and would work on that 1st. Factory Remington 700's have a bump in the fore-end area to provide upward pressure on the barrel. Yours may be getting warmed up/hot as you shoot it and more upward pressure on the barrel as it gets hot.
I had a factory 30-06 that would make one continuous vertical string when shooting 5 in a row from sandbags. Check to see if yours has that pressure point. It may just be the fact as it gets hot, it will string vertically.
If factory, you may want to see if aftermarket stock that's properly bedded will help. I seldom keep a factory stock on any target or varmint rifle unless it's been bedded. Mine immediately stopped the vertical stringing and stared putting them in a 1/2" hole after nothing more than swapping out the factory stock.
2. Check all the stock hardware to see if it is properly tightened down.
3. Check a different brand ammo or try several different loads. It can be tricky as different primers, powders, and bullet brand/weight will make a difference. Reading my Hornady mannuel states IMR 4198, VIHT 130, 135, and H 322 gave best results. I like Vihtavuori 130. It meters well and is very consistent. Try several weight bullets, I like Hornady, Sierra, or Bergers Try 40, 50, 52 match, and 53 grain match. You may be surprised how well it can tighten things up.
4. Consistent primer ignition. Make sure your firing pin is consistent, not worn out, loose, or has a weak spring. Look at your spent cases and see what kind of strike you're getting.
5. Make sure to properly torque down all scope hardware. If it's loose, tightening will change P.O.I. I don't think it's this because it will normally be all over the place, not vertical only, if something is loose with the scope or it's hardware but it's always worth making sure. You could swap out your scope if all else hasn't worked.
Good luck and please let us know what you find out!
1. The stock. I'm guessing it's the stock and would work on that 1st. Factory Remington 700's have a bump in the fore-end area to provide upward pressure on the barrel. Yours may be getting warmed up/hot as you shoot it and more upward pressure on the barrel as it gets hot.
I had a factory 30-06 that would make one continuous vertical string when shooting 5 in a row from sandbags. Check to see if yours has that pressure point. It may just be the fact as it gets hot, it will string vertically.
If factory, you may want to see if aftermarket stock that's properly bedded will help. I seldom keep a factory stock on any target or varmint rifle unless it's been bedded. Mine immediately stopped the vertical stringing and stared putting them in a 1/2" hole after nothing more than swapping out the factory stock.
2. Check all the stock hardware to see if it is properly tightened down.
3. Check a different brand ammo or try several different loads. It can be tricky as different primers, powders, and bullet brand/weight will make a difference. Reading my Hornady mannuel states IMR 4198, VIHT 130, 135, and H 322 gave best results. I like Vihtavuori 130. It meters well and is very consistent. Try several weight bullets, I like Hornady, Sierra, or Bergers Try 40, 50, 52 match, and 53 grain match. You may be surprised how well it can tighten things up.
4. Consistent primer ignition. Make sure your firing pin is consistent, not worn out, loose, or has a weak spring. Look at your spent cases and see what kind of strike you're getting.
5. Make sure to properly torque down all scope hardware. If it's loose, tightening will change P.O.I. I don't think it's this because it will normally be all over the place, not vertical only, if something is loose with the scope or it's hardware but it's always worth making sure. You could swap out your scope if all else hasn't worked.
Good luck and please let us know what you find out!
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Also be aware of your scope. Is it a known good shooter. Many a rifle has been worked on looking at the wrong piece of the puzzle. John Barsness writes on this often and can be found with a google search. Just one of his scope articles. Scope InnardsGuns Magazine.com | Guns Magazine.com
My 30-06 does not like 150 gr bullets. Fine for woods hunting, but not paper punching. But load up 180's w 4350 and away you go punching out the x ring all you can stand.
My 30-06 does not like 150 gr bullets. Fine for woods hunting, but not paper punching. But load up 180's w 4350 and away you go punching out the x ring all you can stand.
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That much vertical sounds like a technique issue assuming you were shooting over wind flags. If you are serious about accurate Benchrest shooting then you should buy a copy of "The book of rifle accuracy" by Tony Boyer. It will tell you everything you need to know about shooting bench rifles.
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19.5 grains of 4198 with 52 gr.sierra bullets, Remington 7 1/2 primer worked great in my 40xbbr . Would shoot anywhere from .100 groups to .250 if I did my part .
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This is a great book for such issues. I never use factory ammo for that type of shooting. Every gun, especially BR rifles, are diet sensitive. I use factory ammo to get chamber fire formed brass. Proper torque on all attachments would be my first place to start.
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I'm thinking the lead sled is the culprit.
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Wind from the back will raise the bullet, variable wind from the back will raise or lower the bullet impact up or down. Just the opposite from trap. Where wind from the back will make the target dip down.
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Doug: If everything on the rifle, scope and mounts checks out fine; do try a different load - factory or handload. But also consider that bench technique can have a lot to do with vertical stringing. Especially how you grip the rifle with your trigger-hand and how you shoulder the stock. Be especially careful what you do with your non-trigger hand. Some people grip the forend and others squeeze the rear bag or toe of the stock to help the "aim". Whatever you do, you must do it consistently. Just a little more or less pressure from your shoulder or cheek can influence the group vertical size. Please keep us posted on your progress. -Ed
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It sounds like the scope or the way it's mounted to the gun is the problem.
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I have a 280 AI that did the same thing. Inch and a half vertical, two tenths horizontal. I checked a lot of what has been mentioned already. Sent the scope back to Zeiss for a rebuild and it's back to quarter inch groups.
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