I now have a second rifle that opens groups within 200 -300fps of the conservative max load. Many powders and bullet combinations. Does this give any accuracy clues like lug fit or action allignment? Appreciate your thoughts.

Have you tried many different bullet weights? And does it happen with factory ammo as well?

What are some of the details, cartridge, rifle, barrel length?

Sucks when a rifle won't shoot the way you want.

Red

Have to go with red, are we talking about 5% below max listings or 20%. Lots of variables here but both of my Model 70s shoot best with a mid range load not min, definately not max.

New one is a Win 70 '06 with 22 inch bbl. Its a 3/4 MOA with Sierra 180 and a couple of powders, and around MOA with Hornady, all SPs at ~2550 fps and no faster, no pressure signs up to 2750 but groups are 1 1/2 to 2" with three powders and the two bullets.
Ten year old Ruger 77 II in 7mm RM and 24 inch is MOA every time with 162 Hornady, 160 gr Sierra and even Barnes X with H4831 at 2750 fps. Again no pressure signs all the way to 2950 but groups open. Tried lots of powders, bullets and primers with this one and just can't get past that 2750 fps. Wanted a little more juice for elk.
Maybe I should try factory loads.
Thanks for the thoughts.

[ 09-12-2003, 04:18: Message edited by: easyup ]

Ten year old Ruger 77 II in 7mm RM and 24 inch is MOA every time with 162 Hornady, 160 gr Sierra and even Barnes X with H4831 at 2750 fps. Again no pressure signs all the way to 2950 but groups open. Tried lots of powders, bullets and primers with this one, and that H4831 is the only consistant powder as long as it's under 2750 fps. Wanted a little more juice for elk.
New one is a new to me Remington 700 '06 with 22 inch bbl. Its a 3/4 MOA with Sierra 180 and a couple of powders, and around MOA with 180 Hornady, all SPs at ~2550 fps and no faster, no pressure signs up to 2750 but groups are 1 1/2 to 2" with three powders and the two bullets.
Maybe I should try factory loads.
Thanks for the thoughts.

Sorry got my rifles mixed!

Winchester is not the problem, sorry corrected below.

quote:

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Originally posted by easyup:
New one is a Win 70 '06 with 22 inch bbl. Its a 3/4 MOA with Sierra 180 and a couple of powders, and around MOA with Hornady, all SPs at ~2550 fps and no faster, no pressure signs up to 2750 but groups are 1 1/2 to 2" with three powders and the two bullets.
Ten year old Ruger 77 II in 7mm RM and 24 inch is MOA every time with 162 Hornady, 160 gr Sierra and even Barnes X with H4831 at 2750 fps. Again no pressure signs all the way to 2950 but groups open. Tried lots of powders, bullets and primers with this one and just can't get past that 2750 fps. Wanted a little more juice for elk.
Maybe I should try factory loads.
Thanks for the thoughts.

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Listening to what you have said so far I wouldn't think it is the bedding or anything like that. If you had a load that was shooting good and all of a sudden stopped shooting then I would ask what might have changed. But it sounds to me more like the barrels. Seriously, barrel to barrel, even with identical rifles, can shoot different.

I have an 06AI that with a stoked load can put it just over 3000fps with a 165g bullet, good accuracy. You are working with less barrel, heavier bullet and a bit less powder. In my opinion loading data can be "optimistic" at times, and always check what barrel length they were testing out of.

You could also have a twist rate that lends itself better to a different weight of bullet. Maybe try stepping down in the 06 to 165's, and take the 7mm down a notch too. See if that helps out.

There are guys here with a lot more experience than me so hopefully they will have some other ideas.

Red