So I finally purchased a gong for shooting longer distance and had some time at the ranch to work on shooting out to 400 yards (I know, not terribly long, but longer than anything I had done before). Quick shot on paper at 100, then moved gong out to 200, 300, and 400.

Was doing well, although not as expected @100, 200, and 300. Could not hit the broadside of a barn at 400. Had no idea where shots were going, so took my paper taget out and put in front to see if we could get some idea where hits were landing. My shots were left, low, and off paper. Couldn't believe the "group" I shot, but thought, dang I must really suck. So my brother shoots some and I say, lets go back to 100 and re-verify our guns work...

I went from 2 inches high initially (sighted for 200 yard zero) to now shooting 6 ' low, next shot was 4" low, next shot 3"....now I was pizzed. I am not that bad a shot. Maybe gun was fouled? To quip, this was a gun pasting sub MOA groups with the same ammo I was using prior to this shooting excursion. I had a solid rest, not 100% perfect, but definitely solid. I was perplexed for a few seconds until I figured out the problem.

Why was I missing?


As a side note, my brother had scope that was "matched to his ammo and gun" and it worked really well out to 400. Nikon P308 set up for hornady Amax 168gr. I was shocked how well the reticle subtensions worked in real life. However, he didn't realize the scope turrets didn't lock. When we first shot at 100 he was 3" low, so we adjusted up and got him on target, and then I showed him how to pull out the turret and "re-zero" the turret and pop it back in. Told him he needs to make sure those are always at zero when he shoots because they can be knocked around in the case or handling or whatever. He simply didn't know. Now he does.

So, what was my problem?

Please post the following information: Rifle, Optic, Rings/Bases, Caliber, ammo type/source, shooting setup (bipod/bags/bench/prone), shots fired since last cleaning, how long you let it cool between all this, and anything else you think can help us help you.

You are over thinking it. I figured the problem out within a few seconds of seeing my groups at 100 wide open...

If you had a good shooting rifle, and then it didn't shoot well, what do you do look for?


But for completion sake:
Fierce Fury, 300wsm, hornady precision hunter 200gr eld-x, shooting with a Caldwell lead bag while sitting in a chair with the bag and gun supported by the back of a Kawasaki mule tailgate. Been less than 50 rounds since last cleaning.
Bushnell LRHS 4.5-18x50, murphy precision base, I can not for the life of me remember the rings I got but they were high end, and base and rings were torqued with a torque wrench to specs no loktite used.

Loose scope?

JR

Yeah, for some reason my base loose a little and jiggles. That isn't good for shooting, that's for sure.

So, despite torqueing to specs and coming loose, should I add some loktite to the base this time to keep the screws from coming loose?

Purple loctite only.

Blue loc tite for me. Sounds like a nice rig.

I do use loctite. Especially with something like a 300wsm, they can come loose, even the good ones. I use blue myself.

agree with jgraider that it sounds like a real nice rig

Thanks guys.

My brother was shooting a savage axis .308, and my rifles was slightly heavier but more powerful. After doing some shooting he said his shoulder was feeling it. I never felt it. I think there is a difference in recoil with gun/stock design as much as simply weight and ammunition. Mine does have a factory muzzle break, maybe that was the big difference? To me, my 300 wsm shoots like my 25-06, very manageable recoil.