Please help!! (Again) Groups dropped all of a sudden.

[BHINES1216]

Shooting a Remington 700 .308 w/ Vortex Crossfire II 6-18 x 44. On my final sight in before a hunting trip to Nebraska, my groups dropped off all of a sudden. Red was my first group on the left bullseye, then after adjusting 1-click right, i shot the green group at the bullseye on the right. Then I shot the two shots in the purple group at the bullseye on the left. Shots were at 100 yards. Waiting about 5-10 min between groups. I am trying to shoot 2" high at 100 yards.

Note: Shot all shells out of the same box. Factory loads. Chronograph was at 2743.

***One more very important note and wouldnt be surprised if this caused my issue... the shot to the right of the right bullseye was shot from and unstrapped/unweighted lead sled. Shot between red and green groups. I immediately ditched the sled. Could this have caused my issue? If so, what would it have done and what can I do from here?

Why would this happen??

 

[bergara0256]

Do you have a chrono to look a velocity? Are you shooting factory ammo? If so did you change lots? Or are you hand loading?

The reason for all the questions, generally vertical change is high or lower is a change in velocity.

 

[BHINES1216]

Do you have a chrono to look a velocity? Are you shooting factory ammo? If so did you change lots? Or are you hand loading?

The reason for all the questions, generally vertical change is high or lower is a change in velocity.

Shot all shells out of the same box. Factory loads. Chronograph was at 2743.

 

[LRNut]

Did you check your action and scope screws? Are you by chance at the far end of either elevation or windage adjustment?

 

[WA Coyote]

That looks mechanical to me. First group is round, second group strung vertically, third group strung horizontally.

I wouldn't be looking for an anomaly with the ammo, but something wrong with the gun/optic/mounts.

Scope functioning properly? Wouldn't surprise me if the Vortex went tits-up on you.

Rings/Bases tight, action screws tight and correctly torqued?

Something touching the barrel or otherwise effecting your shooting position?

 

[BHINES1216]

Shooting a Remington 700 .308 w/ Vortex Crossfire II 6-18 x 44. On my final sight in before a hunting trip to Nebraska, my groups dropped off all of a sudden. Red was my first group on the left bullseye, then after adjusting 1-click right, i shot the green group at the bullseye on the right. Then I shot the two shots in the purple group at the bullseye on the left. Shots were at 100 yards. Waiting about 5-10 min between groups. I am trying to shoot 2" high at 100 yards.

Why would this happen??
View attachment 615030

,

Did you check your action and scope screws? Are you by chance at the far end of either elevation or windage adjustment?

Not out of adjustment. Both are close to "0" actually.

 

[338 dude]

Shooting a Remington 700 .308 w/ Vortex Crossfire II 6-18 x 44. On my final sight in before a hunting trip to Nebraska, my groups dropped off all of a sudden. Red was my first group on the left bullseye, then after adjusting 1-click right, i shot the green group at the bullseye on the right. Then I shot the two shots in the purple group at the bullseye on the left. Shots were at 100 yards. Waiting about 5-10 min between groups. I am trying to shoot 2" high at 100 yards.

Note: Shot all shells out of the same box. Factory loads. Chronograph was at 2743.

***One more very important note and wouldnt be surprised if this caused my issue... the shot to the right of the right bullseye was shot from and unstrapped/unweighted lead sled. Shot between red and green groups. I immediately ditched the sled. Could this have caused my issue? If so, what would it have done and what can I do from here?

Why would this happen??
View attachment 615030

Ditch the sled!

 

[crazymonkey]

The sled and strapping your gun down is more than likely your issue as the shot closer to the bullseye is the one you fired not strapped down or in the sled . Those things reak havoc on your accuracy and your rifle . It puts all the recoil into the stock and your scope . Plenty of videos of broken stocks from using them and the shock to the scope is usually more than they can handle. Shoot a group off a rest ,sand bag or whatever you'd use in a real world hunting situation and you will probably see your groups get better . Factory ammo is usually not consistent with muzzle velocity as they are not loaded to the same standards as most hand loaders run to but should be closer to what you'd expect for a hunting type gun usually sub one moa or better.

 

[BHINES1216]

The sled and strapping your gun down is more than likely your issue as the shot closer to the bullseye is the one you fired not strapped down or in the sled . Those things reak havoc on your accuracy and your rifle . It puts all the recoil into the stock and your scope . Plenty of videos of broken stocks from using them and the shock to the scope is usually more than they can handle. Shoot a group off a rest ,sand bag or whatever you'd use in a real world hunting situation and you will probably see your groups get better . Factory ammo is usually not consistent with muzzle velocity as they are not loaded to the same standards as most hand loaders run to but should be closer to what you'd expect for a hunting type gun usually sub one moa or better.

I used a bipod for all of the other shots. Only one shot with the sled and It wasnt strapped down and there was no weight.

 

[WA Coyote]

I've seen one shot in a lead sled from a .270 break a much more durable scope than a Vortex Crossfire.

I'd put a different scope on it (and check all screws in the process) and see if that fixes the issue.

 

[BHINES1216]

I've seen one shot in a lead sled from a .270 break a much more durable scope than a Vortex Crossfire.

I'd put a different scope on it (and check all screws in the process) and see if that fixes the issue.

Thats all I took was one shot with the sled. There was no weight and it easnt strapped in. And then the result was the green and purple groups. I was hoping to find another reason for this besides the sled.

 

[WA Coyote]

You're missing the point….

One shot in the sled is all it can take to bust the scope, or worse.

I'd bet dollars to donuts that you've either got a bad optic, or a screw loose. It ain't the ammo.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Does your scope have a parallax adjustment on the side/front?

 

[BHINES1216]

Does your scope have a parallax adjustment on the side/front?

On the front