Ok. Today I was back at the range. Previously I had shot a 3 shot .795" group with 140 Sierra Spitz. SPBT over 46 gr. of H-4350 w/ CCI primers @2.80" OAL. The next time that same group opened up to about 3" but the same load with 47gr. of H-4350 shot my last 2 shots at .5" So today I load up some more of both and both shot like crap. I know its not me being this inconsistent in shooting because I pull out my 30-06 between firings today and shoot tack driving groups with it. However, my loads are coming from the same lots of everything and I have repeatedly gone over my loading procedure and all is consistent. The rifle is a Weatherby Mark V. I was having the same inconsistency in the rifle I traded for this Weatherby in same caliber. Can anyone help me figure this out? Thanks
Whitey

Whitey, Well, except for getting a Remington SPS,(thats what I'd do)get some RE15, and Varget, preferably RE15, and load them Sierras up with 39.6grs of it, happens to be Sierras accuracy load, and you should put 3 shots under an inch pretty consistantly. If you want under 1/2", get some 150MKs and 150NBTs, load em up with 39grs. RE15 and 39.5-41grs. of Varget, respectively. if you don't get 1/2" or less, sell the Weatherby and buy a Rem. SPS Stainless.

Then e-mail me and I'll send the instructions to adjust the trigger. Very nice rifles, btw. Jay

Jay

With my Rem 700 Mtn LSS & 140 Game Kings on top of 43.5 Grn Varget (a little Hot) I get consistent 1/2" groups when using my 6.5-20X50 scope and 1" groups when using my 3-9x40 scope.

Just a thought.....are you letting your barrel cool between shots? When shooting for groups, I always wait a timed 3 min between shots with the Mtn LSS.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count

quote:

Originally posted by First Shot:
Jay

With my Rem 700 Mtn LSS & 140 Game Kings on top of 43.5 Grn Varget (a little Hot) I get consistent 1/2" groups when using my 6.5-20X50 scope and 1" groups when using my 3-9x40 scope.

Just a thought.....are you letting your barrel cool between shots? When shooting for groups, I always wait a timed 3 min between shots with the Mtn LSS.

firstshot
----------------------------
Make your first shot count

FS, Yes, I see that the max is 43grs., but as long as your not getting a sticky bolt, flattened & cratered primers, that .5grain shouldn't be a problem.

I've loaded 40.5grs. of Varget with 139 Hornadys, 42.2grs. I believe is the max in the Hornady manual, for a friends model 7, first 3 shots he got a .505". Just saw him last week after 3 yrs., told me his grandson shot a few deer with it, glad to hear that.

I usually, or rather have not had to use hot loads in anything I shoot to get accurate results. If I did get something very accurate, but was too hot, I'd find a different way to get the accuracy. So far, so good.

FWIW, I did find that Varget would not shoot the 150MKs very well, but the 150NBTs in a very small group, but never did try RE15 with the NBTs, but pretty sure it would work better than Varget. Guess I'll have to buy some more 150NBTs and try it.

Not that it matters, but 45.5grs. RE15 works pretty well in my 308 Classic with 150SBTs.(Under an inch) Seems it's the best powder for 308 based cases.

Jay,

I will try the 39.6gr. of Re 15. I have some Re 15 on the loading table. Hope this will acheive good results. How weather sensitive is the Re 15?

quote:

Originally posted by Bearbuck:
Jay,

I will try the 39.6gr. of Re 15. I have some Re 15 on the loading table. Hope this will acheive good results. How weather sensitive is the Re 15?

I've read somewhere that Alliant has improved temp sensitivity over the past few years, since the military uses RE15 in their sniper round.

I'm assuming since you're getting such a wide range of group sizes, that you checked all your guard screws, base and ring screws. If the RE15 fails, I'd try yet another scope.

You should get consistant 7s and 8s, or smaller with the Sierra accuracy load and the 140SBTs, the accuracy standard for those bullets are 3/4", anything smaller, thats dessert.

I've had very good luck with RE15, hope you get the same. Jay

Bearbuck: did you have the same scope on both 7/08s. If you did, then it I'd take a darn good look at the scope as the suspect in this case.

tom purdom

Tom,

No it is not the same scope. The previous rifle had a Leupold that I let go on the rifle as trade for the current one. I took a proven solid scope off my '06 to put on this current set up. It is a Nikon. Still, I wish it was as simple as the scope. It would have made this problem much easier to deal with.

I have not resumed my testing yet, but I have seen some really good results with IMR4895 & Nosler 140BT's.I have had several groups under an inch & few that were well under .750".

I have read some of your post and I find them quite puzzling. If you are a very experienced loader and have complete faith in your ability to shoot good then the possibilities point to the scope or rifle. The 7mm08 is a tack driving caliber so that is not the problem. Bedding may be the issue. If you really like the rifle and action then do a nice bedding and barrel floating. If you have trouble after that and you know the scope is mounted properly then trade. The powder you are using will not cause the wide spread in groups. I get almost the same groups switching from H4350EXT to VARGET.
Good Luck

Don't overlook using IMR4064. Between 4064, RL15, and Varget, it is hard to go wrong in the 7-08.

Deke.

I've got a Savage in 7/08 that gave me fits the first couple days I shot for groups. Found out the rifle came out of the factory with one of the stocks screws finger tight! I should sue! Tightened it up and I was off to the races. I also learned again, for the thousandth time, to double check things like that.

Bearbuck: Just a thought: Since you traded a previous rifle with the same problem, is it possible that both those skinny rifle barrels are getting too hot between shots? Heat build up on hunting barrels have frustrated more benchrest sessions than a wife depleting a wallet wad for a new pair of shoes!