I will admit I am a little perplexed and find myself without an explanation for the groups I shot today. This was my second range session with my new stainless Tikka T3 Light in 300WSM.
Now for what has me at a loss to explain. At my first outing I used Federal Power Shock ammunition to get me on paper and shot two 100 yard 3-shot groups. Both were nice triangular clusters, one right at 1" the other slightly less than 1.125". IMHO pretty good accuracy for plane Jane cheap factory ammo. I don't know if it matters but the Federal loads were also averaging about 100fps more than the MV listed on the box. On my first range session I shot reloads using IMR 4451, although I achieved acceptable accuracy, my velocity was 150+ FPS below what was expected per Hodgdon's reloading information.
Enter reloads featuring RL-17. I got excellent velocity actually averaging 100fps above what was listed at the Hornady website with no pressure signs at all. Temp outside was a rather mild 51-60*. Now for the issue with my groups.
My 3-shot 100 yard groups consisted of two shots LITERALLY 98-99% in the same hole and one shot 1"-1.125" away from the other two. This also would occur with no set pattern, it could be shot 1 & 2 formed the bug hole and shot #3 was the flier then shot 1 & 2 would be 1"-1.125" apart and shot #3 would basically chase shot #1. My groups had no vertical stringing at all, all shots spread out strictly horizontally.
To add more confusion to confirm I wasn't experiencing a problem with my scope or mounts, I shot the same Federal factory ammo at the same target I used prior at the first range session with this rifle and the first shot chased an all ready existing bullet hole from the first time I shot this ammo, the second ended up in the center of the first 3 bullet holes from the original group. IMHO this eliminates the scope or it's mounts from being the cause for the unusual groups.
The only thing I didn't do prior to shooting my T3 was double check the action screws to confirm they were set to the proper torque settings. I don't usually take my torque wrench with me to the range so I will double check after I finish authoring this.
Could this be caused by inconsistencies in my bench form? I am using a free recoil bench form now which is still a little new to me as I use to use a rest that reduced recoil some what.
Basically has anyone ever experienced groups like this and if yes did you ever confirm the exact or at least most likely cause, and then had such groups stop occurring.
Or is this just a by product of the rifle telling me this particular charge weight of powder is not what it wants and I need to continue varying my powder charge weight as I plan on any how, as I'm concerned my loads are so hot despite no pressure signs that I might be seriously reducing the usable life of my brass. I'm looking for a MV of +/- 3000fps and all my reloads were WAY over that despite none was over book max. I should also add I never allowed the barrel to become more than warm to the touch as I've heard the rumors about Tikka's groups open up once the barrel heats up.
I have been able to develop VERY accurate reloads for quite a few rifles and I never once experienced these types of groups, so for all I know these might actually be a common occurrence, I just don't know.
Now for what has me at a loss to explain. At my first outing I used Federal Power Shock ammunition to get me on paper and shot two 100 yard 3-shot groups. Both were nice triangular clusters, one right at 1" the other slightly less than 1.125". IMHO pretty good accuracy for plane Jane cheap factory ammo. I don't know if it matters but the Federal loads were also averaging about 100fps more than the MV listed on the box. On my first range session I shot reloads using IMR 4451, although I achieved acceptable accuracy, my velocity was 150+ FPS below what was expected per Hodgdon's reloading information.
Enter reloads featuring RL-17. I got excellent velocity actually averaging 100fps above what was listed at the Hornady website with no pressure signs at all. Temp outside was a rather mild 51-60*. Now for the issue with my groups.
My 3-shot 100 yard groups consisted of two shots LITERALLY 98-99% in the same hole and one shot 1"-1.125" away from the other two. This also would occur with no set pattern, it could be shot 1 & 2 formed the bug hole and shot #3 was the flier then shot 1 & 2 would be 1"-1.125" apart and shot #3 would basically chase shot #1. My groups had no vertical stringing at all, all shots spread out strictly horizontally.
To add more confusion to confirm I wasn't experiencing a problem with my scope or mounts, I shot the same Federal factory ammo at the same target I used prior at the first range session with this rifle and the first shot chased an all ready existing bullet hole from the first time I shot this ammo, the second ended up in the center of the first 3 bullet holes from the original group. IMHO this eliminates the scope or it's mounts from being the cause for the unusual groups.
The only thing I didn't do prior to shooting my T3 was double check the action screws to confirm they were set to the proper torque settings. I don't usually take my torque wrench with me to the range so I will double check after I finish authoring this.
Could this be caused by inconsistencies in my bench form? I am using a free recoil bench form now which is still a little new to me as I use to use a rest that reduced recoil some what.
Basically has anyone ever experienced groups like this and if yes did you ever confirm the exact or at least most likely cause, and then had such groups stop occurring.
Or is this just a by product of the rifle telling me this particular charge weight of powder is not what it wants and I need to continue varying my powder charge weight as I plan on any how, as I'm concerned my loads are so hot despite no pressure signs that I might be seriously reducing the usable life of my brass. I'm looking for a MV of +/- 3000fps and all my reloads were WAY over that despite none was over book max. I should also add I never allowed the barrel to become more than warm to the touch as I've heard the rumors about Tikka's groups open up once the barrel heats up.
I have been able to develop VERY accurate reloads for quite a few rifles and I never once experienced these types of groups, so for all I know these might actually be a common occurrence, I just don't know.
