Need help with 30.06 accuracy issues

Boats · Apr 12, 2019

Ok, I will open this up to the brain trust here.

I have an old Remington 700 ADL SPS that was originally a .270 which I wanted to turn into an accurized long range tacticool rifle.

Sooooo...

It now has a Kwik Klip mag conversion with new bottom metal. It sits in an aluminum v-block bedded stock (Magpul). Barrel is free floated. Barrel has been swapped for a 1:10 26" 30.06 fluted heavy barrel Action has been blueprinted. Bottom metal has been shimmed. Locking lugs show equal wear. Lockup is tight. Trigger is the old stock Remy but breaks at 1.9lbs. Glass is a Sightron SIII 10-50X60. 20 MOA rail is EGW. Barrel was properly seasoned per MFR instructions.

Load generation has been done. It seems to like 168gr Sierra TMK with 53.9gr of IMR4350, Which it puts 3-4 into a 1/4” hole at 100yds.

Here is the problem, at 200yds from a lead sled rest, it struggles to hold 3" groups, with the handloads it supposedly likes.

Thus far I have recrowned the barrel, but have not tested it yet (in the off chance that there is a sine wave or rifling frequency issue, or that I over cleaned during load generation)

This damn gun is driving me up the wall.

Especially because I have a 16.25" barreled (albeit new) 700 in . 308 that holds under 1" @ 200 with a cheap-ish 10x fixed optic and factory ammo. (Aussie Outback . 308) in the same stock off a bipod rest.

Other than getting a powder that is more temperature stable like hogdon extreme H4350, what do y'all suggest?

And no, getting a new receiver is not an option. This one has sentimental value. New tuned bolt? Glass bed the action? Is this barrel just a lemon? Rebarrel (again) to a bull barrel?

Thoughts?

John from MD · Apr 12, 2019

I suggest you try another bullet and maybe powder combo. Here are a couple of loads that work out to 300 yds.

Berger 175VLD, 53.0 H4350
Berger 175VLD, 53.9 IMR 53.9

You might also try different COAL changing the distance between the bullet and rifling within the limitations of your magazine.

I don't shoot long range anymore but these loads came out of my load book.

Additionally, sometimes a barrel will not come in until 200-300 rounds have been through it even though you have done a break in process.

Just my .02.

Nanook · Apr 12, 2019

And run the loads through a chrony to see what they are really doing.

Doco Overboard · Apr 12, 2019

Pack the barrel in the barrel channel at a couple different locations to see if that affects performance. Maybe it needs to be dampened.

Uncle Duke · Apr 12, 2019

John from MD said:
I suggest you try another bullet and maybe powder combo. Here are a couple of loads that work out to 300 yds.

Berger 175VLD, 53.0 H4350
Berger 175VLD, 53.9 IMR 53.9

You might also try different COAL changing the distance between the bullet and rifling within the limitations of your magazine.

I don't shoot long range anymore but these loads came out of my load book.

Additionally, sometimes a barrel will not come in until 200-300 rounds have been through it even though you have done a break in process.

Just my .02.

Same general thoughts as John. And what you describe might seem counterintuitive given 100 yard load results, but ironically it isn't too terribly uncommon.

I'd be inclined to think your rifle is likely just fine.

You want a good 200 yard load? I'd first spend some time developing one.

Boats · Apr 12, 2019

Thanks for the advice. What is there a good way to determine COAL or is it just trial and error?

Squaregrouper · Apr 12, 2019

Boats said:
Thanks for the advice. What is there a good way to determine COAL or is it just trial and error?

I'm by no means an expert...
I was taught to find a powder charge and bullet that gives the most consistent speed (need a chrono) Then start tinkering with distance from the lands to find the most accurate load. Consistent speed becomes more important the further the bullet is traveling. A 50fps variance at the muzzle won't matter at 100yds, but will become a big issue beyond 600yds.

John from MD · Apr 12, 2019

SG is right, you should have a chronograph first to see what your speeds are and how consistent your loads are. Once you get a good load, then you can start playing with overall length. This is the tool that most people use to set the bullet distance from the rifling.

https://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/hornady-oal-gauge-and-comparator/

Jerry M · Apr 12, 2019

That is a very low powder charge for a 168 in an 06.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

Boats · Apr 12, 2019

Jerry M said:
That is a very low powder charge for a 168 in an 06.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

Just for clarification, the handloads were IMR4350, but i am thinking of changing to Hogdon H4350 for it's temperature stability.

IMR4350 starting load, per Hogdon, is 54grains. These handloads were at 53.9

kooJoe · Apr 12, 2019

Hi there. Dont get caught up in over thinking this. Its dangerous to your health, lol. My opinion, this round when dialed in should be bullet hole inside of bullet hole at 100 yds. I agree with earlier post about your reported load being Light charge for that weight bullet. Im never a fan of real hot loads, but each rifle likes something different. Questions not in any particular order; is your paralex adjustment correct at 200 when shooting 200? How hot of a load did you work up with IMR? What is the relation of the bullet to the lands? Are you or arent you crimping... accidentally? Have you confirmed clean chamber/barrel?

kooJoe · Apr 12, 2019

Also.... my god, yes.... you should bed the action. I re-read your post.

Boats · Apr 12, 2019

kooJoe said:
Also.... my god, yes.... you should bed the action. I re-read your post.

I would have, the only reason why I haven't is the aforementioned 700 with a short barrel that shoots sub-moa in the same stock without bedding

Boats · Apr 12, 2019

kooJoe said:
Hi there. Dont get caught up in over thinking this. Its dangerous to your health, lol. My opinion, this round when dialed in should be bullet hole inside of bullet hole at 100 yds. I agree with earlier post about your reported load being Light charge for that weight bullet. Im never a fan of real hot loads, but each rifle likes something different. Questions not in any particular order; is your paralex adjustment correct at 200 when shooting 200? How hot of a load did you work up with IMR? What is the relation of the bullet to the lands? Are you or arent you crimping... accidentally? Have you confirmed clean chamber/barrel?

Paralex was correct, poa didn't move with eye movement.

I went as hot as 57gr of imr4350, 1/2 grain at a time. As the charge went up, accuracy of 3rd groups went down.

No crimping.

Barrel/chamber are clean, as expected with a new barrel

I don't understand what you're asking about bullet relationship to lands

kooJoe · Apr 12, 2019

I just meant is the bullet jumping to the lands, off the lands or in the lands was all. Was gng down the road of thinking somehow, someway, the bullet is getting disturbed. Im stumped though... personally ive never had decent grouping at 100 that opened way up at 200.

Pale Ryder · Apr 12, 2019

I like the ole 06, but wouldn't you have been ahead of things if you had left it .270? Doesn't 270 shoot flatter as well as lighter recoil? Back to the brain trust.

Boats · Apr 12, 2019

Pale Ryder said:
I like the ole 06, but wouldn't you have been ahead of things if you had left it .270? Doesn't 270 shoot flatter as well as lighter recoil? Back to the brain trust.

When it was a .270 it was a light taper barrel, and the factory loads for .270 aren't great for long distance work. (This was before I started reloading)

I went with 30.06 due to the great selection of factory ammo, with the intent of finding a factory load it likes but also loading some hyper accurate handloads as well. And also to get a heavier barrel.

Boats · Apr 12, 2019

kooJoe said:
I just meant is the bullet jumping to the lands, off the lands or in the lands was all. Was gng down the road of thinking somehow, someway, the bullet is getting disturbed. Im stumped though... personally ive never had decent grouping at 100 that opened way up at 200.

How would I determine that? The copper marks in the barrel are consistent and even, but other than that, is there something I should look for?

Next step is test fire to see if the barrel recrown did anything good. Will post back here with results.

Doco Overboard · Apr 13, 2019

I would make sure the recoil plate is square with even contact on the sides and supported correctly at the bottom. The action screws do not bind before they stop hard tight and finally make sure the eyepiece of the scope is tightened by the lock ring.

If no improvement is noted by ensuring these three simple steps check out;

I would also think about doing rudimentary tests by supporting the 26" heavy barrel temporarily at the very least in front of the recoil lug, then again at the forearm if an improvement has occurred just to see what shakes out.

kooJoe · Apr 13, 2019

Food for thought... against every grain in my body, I full length bedded by new 6.5prc 27” barrel blank attached to an antique rem 721 action. I was pleasantly surprised by consistency and tightness of factory round groups. I realize this may not work for you, i think you said you switch between actions...

Need help with 30.06 accuracy issues

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