Chasing hunting rifle accuracy

[sodak]

I am always trying to get smaller groups, clearer optics, and better feel in my hunting rifles. My main rifle now is a Rem CDL .300 win mag. Fine rifle after a new trigger. With my hand loads, I'm pushing a 180 gr AccuBond 2900 fps. Consistent 3/4 MOA accuracy with full length sizing, normal bullet seating depths, etc.

Is an upgrade to a Cooper or Nosler rifle going to pay off in the accuracy department?


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[Dwh7271]

Up to you, no such thing as too many good rifles. :grin: At least there doesn't seem to be on this forum.
I'd be very happy with a 300 mag doing 3/4" if it held that as far as I planned to shoot it.
I'm guilty of becoming ocd about rifles. Always trying to wring out that last bit of speed or accuracy when in actuality an inch and a half at 100 would suffice for almost all my hunting shots.

 

[NWBlacktail]

Yeah, everyone likes new rifles. But would it help you put meat on the table? No… :mrgreen:

in my opinion (and I am absolutely no expert), you would be better off spending your money on components and shooting more. You'd spend a lot of money trying to squeeze out another 1/4 MOA or so, and likely not gain you anything.


Shoot more, and when you burn out your barrel, get a custom barrel and keep on shooting.

 

[truck driver]

I've never owned the rifles you mentioned so I can't talk about them but I think if you want bug hole accuracy from a rifle you need to go the custom route and sometimes that's not a guaranteed fix since some barrels can be better than others. If you have a good shooting factory rifle and from what you said I think you do sometimes a good bedding job will make the world of difference between a good shooting rifle and a great shooting rifle.
You can spend a lot or a little or shoot what you have already since your not punching paper.

 

[Guy Miner]

Cooper and Nosler both make excellent rifles - and no doubt they'd be accurate.

However 3/4" at 100 yards with a .300 Win mag isn't exactly poor accuracy... Good work so far!

I don't know the specifics of your load, but consider "upping" your handloading game...

Match grade dies? They can do a better job of seating the bullet STRAIGHT which is important for accuracy.

Using good quality brass? Prepping it fully?

Consider a primer swap to match grade primers, if you're not already using them.

Mess with the seating length. Many Rem 700's have a Very Generous throat - and the Rem 700 magazine is long, I suspect you could seat those bullets well out...

A 180 @ 2900 is pretty mild for a .300 Win mag... Consider bumping up the powder charge a bit, if you're not already maxed out. Sometimes a magnum rifle delivers best accuracy at or near max powder charges...

Use a different bullet? Sometimes a marked difference in accuracy happens when a different bullet is selected. I find the Nosler Ballistic Tip is a great choice for accuracy in a hunting bullet. Then again, your AccuBond is noted for good accuracy as well.

Take a look at your bench setup and technique. Is the rifle recoiling straight back, or twisting a bit? It should come straight back, time after time. The CDL is pretty light, sometimes good rifle manners are difficult with a light rifle.

Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sights, Squeeze.... A little USMC mantra that might help with technique.

I think you've got room to mess with, with your 700 CDL. Is the rifle bedded & free-floated?

So - not knowing what you've done for the rifle & loads and how your shooting technique is - I still think you're doing fine with that 3/4" group at 100 yards, but yes, there's room for improvement. Always is...

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

As has already been stated, the expenditure is up to you. The pursuit of accuracy is unending. Three quarter MOA is more than sufficient for hunting accuracy, but that has seldom stopped a dedicated rifle crank from buying a new rifle. The CDL is capable of some fine accuracy in many instances. It is likely you can tighten up groups by playing with charge weights, checking different propellants or adjusting seating depths. I have a Winchester Model 70 chambered in 7 RM that shoots 175 grain Partitions into 3/4 MOA. It will shoot a variety of other bullets into 0.25 MOA. However, I use it to push the heavier bullets for larger game. It has never failed to bring home game, so I keep on shooting the 3/4 MOA loads.

 

[salmonchaser]

Nothing wrong with a new rifle. The cost of either one of your options will go a long way towards a mule deer antelope combo hunt, just saying.
3/4 moa is more than sufficient.
Have fun.

 

[SJB358]

Nothing wrong with a new rifle. The cost of either one of your options will go a long way towards a mule deer antelope combo hunt, just saying.
3/4 moa is more than sufficient.
Have fun.

I think Don nailed it. I'd rather have another elk tag than another rifle these days. Optics are important as well. Some great Binos or a spotter is money well spent.

I do agree with Guy, you've likely got some room to grow with your 180/300 combo, but if it's consistent no animal is going to out run it.

 

[rodell]

Good advice here. With a new rifle, you get to start all over because they aren't magic. I have a Cooper and it is a great rifle. I still had to do load development, though, for best results. The groups just started smaller!

I have no experience with the Nosler rifles.

 

[JD338]

I agree with the others. Focus on the current rifle and load before buying a new rifle.
I have several 700's that shoot under .5" at 100 yds and your 300 WM is an inherently accurate cartridge.
What is your current load? Maybe we can offer you some options.

Once you get the current rifle set, all of us here will help you spend a lot of money
on the next rifle.

JD338

 

[Anonymous]

For a primary hunting rifle- 3/4" is more than sufficient, it even passes extraordinary by a fair margin.

For upgrading your hunting rifle, I would look at features rather than accuracy. I've had a Nosler for a long time. I do a lot of hunting and a lot of hunting in bad weather so the weather resistant feature mattered a lot to me. I also liked the way it fit and the relatively light weight- both of which mattered to me far more than pure accuracy.

My Nosler replaced my primary hunting rifle that was just as accurate, but a blued/wood gun that weighed a pound or so more.

Just depends on your goals and what you want, but accuracy isn't that big of a factor.

 

[preacher]

Something to think about...a 300 Magnum consistently grouping 3/4", off the bench, is equivalent to a 222 shooting 1/4"! You have a magnum cartridge going off with extreme violence, and being able to control that with good bench rest techniques makes you an outstanding rifleman! Its a fact that anybody that can keep a magnum rifle into 1.5" to 2" has a great load/rifle and technique! You can stop chasing accuracy and start chasing elk...or prairie dogs!

 

[Charlie-NY]

Virtually any custom or semi-custom rifle will shoot under .5" with properly taylored handloads. So to answer your question - Yes

You probably need a new rifle anyway. How about a new cartridge to peak your interest?

 

[DrMike]

Good man, Charlie. I knew we could count on you. Everyone needs a new rifle from time-to-time. :grin:

 

[sodak]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've made a stop into the local shop and found a good price on a Cooper Classic 300 win mag and a z5 swaro with the ballistic turrets.


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[DrMike]

That would be a beautiful package that will serve you for years to come.

 

[Guy Miner]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've made a stop into the local shop and found a good price on a Cooper Classic 300 win mag and a z5 swaro with the ballistic turrets.


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Well... Did ya buy it? :grin:

If you're this tempted to jump ship and get a new rifle - there must be some reason other than the 3/4" groups - which are really quite nice... So, help yourself to the new rifle - it SHOULD be more accurate - but that's no promise. I've seen more than one trophy go to the guy with the well-worn factory rifle at various rifle matches, when other, far more expensive, custom rifles were on the firing line...

But if it's a new rifle itch you've got... The only way to scratch it is to get the new rifle!

Regards, Guy

 

[sask boy]

I new rifle is always exciting :wink: but there is nothing wrong with a CDL as I have shot & loaded for 2 for a long time.
If you decide not too get a new rifle you could likely find a little more accuracy with a bedding job & squaring up the 700 bolt.
Just my opinion .

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Anonymous]

I hope that new Cooper shoots great!

Probably the number one reason I buy a new rifle...is that I get bored. I see something shiny and I buy it. Then it comes time to go kill something and I keep pulling the same gun out of the safe and heading out. I've got several now, good shooting rifles too, that just sit in the safe. I keep saying that I'm going to start hunting with them....but I don't. I'll take my pet one out and punch a bug hole and that thought leaves my head immediately.

If you want to hunt your Cooper....sell your CDL first!

 

[ElmerThud]

I reckon Swarovski optics to be about the very best you can buy to scope your rifle. The big three ones are Zeiss (poorest backup customer service) Schmidt & Bender (excellent back up service) and Swaro. the best and absolutely excellent customer service..in Europe anyway.
Incidentally, I should mention I have little to no knowledge about US made scopes/optics & personally have always bought European. They have never ever failed me in thirty + years of hunting.

So, in my view your choice of optics is excellent. I have no idea about the rifle, but there is a great deal you can do to fine tune your reloading technique and additional 'operations' to play around and tighten your accuracy.

The other lads on here have all I think, mentioned your current accuracy is well good enough for hunting purposes, but chasing the 'accuracy demon' is another thing again.
Good luck.