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

[BHINES1216]

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.

Oh no, i get the point. I screwed up using that stupid lead sled. Lol

 

[cajun]

Didn't you post earlier about erratic grouping from a sled and got rid of it and it shot better? When it shot better were you shooting off bags or a bipod?

 

[BHINES1216]

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.

No I know what ya mean. I screwed up by using the sled. Lol

 

[BHINES1216]

Didn't you post earlier about erratic grouping from a sled and got rid of it and it shot better? When it shot better were you shooting off bags or a bipod?

Yes. About a month ago. I shot a few times with the sled once i put a new scope on and then shot with the bipod since thats how I plan to shoot while hunting. Took one shot today with the sled (no weight/no strap) and then the groups dropped.

 

[crazymonkey]

One other thing is when you get to some of the less expensive vortex scopes the tube is thin and very sensitive to over torque on the scope caps ! I had bought 4 new vortex scopes and two outa the boxes were doing what you described . One minute good then it would all go to . Two went back to vortex and two went down the road . The other two soon followed . Make sure your not over tight as the erector is super sensitive to that and will cause issues with the scope dancing the the cross hairs as it doesn't move as it should and binds up between adjustment and changes when shooting.

 

[Victor3Ranger1]

No sled.
Use bags

 

[cajun]

Bipods can be finicky depending on preload. It needs to be consistent.

 

[HandgunHTR]

What bipod? Factory Remington plastic stock? If the stock is flexing differently each shot, that will cause your groups to open up.

Get rid of the sled. Don't just "not use it", actually get rid of it so that you won't be tempted to use it again. If I had the money, I would buy every one I see just so I could throw them out.

I get it is $$, but if you have the money to travel to another state to hunt deer, then you should be able to afford putting a decent scope on the rifle you intend to hunt with.

How many different loads have you tried in the rifle? If this is the only one, you should try a few more to see if you can find one that shoots better, once you fix the other things.

If you have someone that you know is a good shot with a rifle, have them shoot it.

 

[dustbag]

Led sled no bueno unless u gonna hunt with it.

 

[memtb]

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

I've never used a "lead sled", but I suspect that is your issue. The sled offers vastly different recoil arrest as compared to the rifle held by a "carbon based life form "…..human.

I've never seen the benefits of a "lead sled"…….only potential problems. I guess that I've never had a rifle that recoiled enough to justify not holding it myself!


Said human can alter group size and group placement by radically changing the hold on the rifle. It's all about consistently! IMO.

Obviously loose or bad scope could be the culprit, barrel contact on some surface, rifle action screw torque changed ( bolt loosened), ect.

Not knowing the rifle's history…..is it sensitive to fouling? I don't think that a fouling issue would cause a group shift…..but, could affect group size! memtb

 

[PopNFresh]

is it too late to join the lead sled dogpile? sell it to someone you dislike

 

[WeiserBucks]

Grab a Sawzall and cut that sled into 37 pieces so that it'll fit in the garbage can. Then move on to troubleshooting your issue. My money is on the scope.

 

[Koda_]

Why would this happen??

possibly barrel fouling... did you start out with a clean barrel?