Hello, I am having a little issue with a new .308 rifle. I have tried about seven different hunting rounds and can’t get very good grouping. Maybe, 2” at best. I ended up testing some Federal Sierra match grade and they worked well. In a five shot group I was right at a 3/4” group at 100 yards. Anyone have and ideas on how to improve? I am a hunter and not a target shooter. I have put about 75 rounds through the rifle. Thanks.

As a hunter you do not need to improve on a 3/4” group. Do the math.

What's the twist on the barrel, length and what grain bullets are you shooting?

The twist and length of your barrel is going to like certain grain sizes but others not so much.

Once you answer these questions you can get the data on the 308 that works best for your twist and length.

Were the hunting rounds the same bullet weight as the match bullets? That would be the first thing I would look at.


Edit: looks like pitchfork covered that while I was typing.

Too many variables to say without seeing the rifle, but the scope often is as likely to be the source of accuracy problems.

What scope and rifle are you using?

3/4” group is a decent result for most off the rack “hunting” rifles.

.308 usually are pretty accurate and not finicky.

Yall are giving good info.

But read again, 2" group with hunting bullets, 3/4" with SMKs.

Next question is what hunting bullet ammo was tried. The rifle is capable of 3/4, so it seems rifle, ammo, scope, base, and rings are fine.

Good point FJG.

Sierra Game Kings usually shoot about as well as SMK’s.

Of course, he could use the SMK’s. I’ve killed more deer and pigs with the 175 SMK than all other bullets added together. Shot placement to the CNS is what I use, not lungs.

The 150 Barnes TTSX is my other favorite in the .308, which is my main hunting round.

OP,

what ammo have you tried? Please include bullet and bullet weight, and which rifle are you using?

3/4” with match grade. Not hunting rounds.

Thanks for the help. To be more specific, it a Christensen arms Mesa. 1:10 twist. I’m using ammo around 160-180. The scope is a Meopta meopro. I have used Barnes TSX, Hornady Percision hunter & superformance and others. The match Ammon was in line with the other grains.

Try the 150 Barnes TTSX in Barnes brand ammo and Federal ammo loaded with the 150 TTSX.

Or Chad on here can tune some ammo to your rifle.

Also, make sure to clean the barrel between trying different ammos.

Try some Federal hunting ammo with a bullet weight as close to the SMK as possible. They used to load a 165 gr Sierra Game King, spire point boat tail. It is possible that it is loaded with the same powder, and a charge that is close to the SMK load. Good chance it will shoot well, great chance it will do well in vitals. It's an old school bullet that is still one of the best on the market, in my opinion.

Jeff is right about cleaning between switching ammo, but it is worth mentioning to not judge new ammo on shots 1-5, often closer to rounds 8-10 on a cool barrel will shoot better. It is rare for me to see a barrel that does not need a litle fouling after cleaning. And then you have to find the round count where accuracy degrades, clean again, and start the process over.

I'd still check the scope first, all screws, etc, then check for free float of barrel. If it was a 3 shot group, 3/4" could have been flat lucky with a wonky scope/screws, etc.

Good point JG. OP are you cleaning then immediately checking groups without fouling the barrel?

4 post in 9 years

How’d you remember your password that long?

As others have mentioned, try Federal Ammo with 165 GameKings.

My Christensen classic steel showed a marked preference for the SGK, as others have suggested.

I have an 18" 1/10 twist on my 308 and it loves Chad's 178gr. Amax

I’ll give those Federal game kings a shot. Yes, I have been very digilent on making sure the rifle is clean. Also, the barrel temperature is a factor. This rifle is partial to being cold. I don’t think it’s the scope, I have used about all of the match grade ammo in the box. All the groups very tight. Thanks again.

No offense intended, but after doing the basic troubleshooting, if I had a rifle that only shot one bullet worth a darn I'd get rid of it. I can close my eyes and pick any ammo off the shelf and feed it to any number of bone stockTikkas and expect MOA or better.

If you're taking the time to head back to the range I'd take 3 different boxes to try. Might invest in a box of Winchester Ballistic Silvertips in 168gr just to see if it likes them.

Did you or have you ever put gun oil in the barrel of that gun? If so it could take much more than 10 rounds to burn it out. I did this not knowing for a long time and assumed all rifles shot like that.

I would use a solvent to clean and then put 10 rounds of anything through it without worrying about the group. Then start over without any cleaning checking the loads you’ve already checked.

Are the 2" groups five shot or three for the hunting loads?
If five, how do the first three look?
Is the rifle new, or just new to you?
Have you cleaned it, stripping all the copper, then fouled it back in?

Love me some Christensen !!!

You would...

I don’t know too much about Christensen, but then seem legit. Have others had problems?