Accuracy @ 100 yds is great, why is it so bad at 200 yds?

Mesa · March 27, 2000, 09:45 AM

I just got into reloading afew weeks ago. I'm shooting a .308 btw. My accuracy at 100 yards is really good. I shoot an average .710" group. But at 200 yards I rarley get below 2.75". What do I need to do reloading wise to bring that average down?
I'm using 40.5 grams of AA2520 powder (min load), Fed Gold Medal Primers GM210M, and Sierra Matchking HPBT 168 gr bullets. Most of my brass is Remington. Do I need to go up on my charge? Any help will be appreciated.

Ricciardelli · March 27, 2000, 11:49 AM

It probably has nothign to do with your loads or your rifle. It is your ability to hold a steady "bead" at 200 yards...it takes practice.

Art Eatman · March 27, 2000, 11:52 AM

Someone else was complaining about this same thing--or was it you? Anyway, I think I'd try a different bullet, just to see if there is a difference. Say, 150-grain anything.

Try a different powder.

Check the bedding on your rifle.

In other words, you're gonna have to try some variables and see what changes. Load 10 rounds of 150 grain bullets and try at 100 and then at 200. Try ten loads of your 168-grains with a different powder and do the 100/200.

Damfino; good luck, Art

Nukem · March 27, 2000, 02:26 PM

You probably can't see and hold your point of aim as well @200 yrds. You don't say what optics, if any you are using.
You have to add in the factors of parallax ,mirage and wind condition at longer ranges.

My .300 will do it more often than I can

gunmart · March 29, 2000, 09:22 AM

get a scope with a thin cross hair for working up loads and testing.

TacTrain · March 29, 2000, 11:16 PM

Mesa;

I think Ricciardelli hit it on the head.

BTW how do you and your rifle shoot factory ammo, like Federal Gold Match?

Best Regards......George Dean

"The time may be fast approaching for the Evolution to End and the Revolution to Begin"

Art Eatman · March 30, 2000, 11:04 PM

Mesa, are you using iron sights, or a scope? (In my answer above, I took it for granted that you had a scope...)

Art

alan · March 30, 2000, 11:20 PM

Check bedding of rifle, check tension of guard screws.

Assume you are shooting over a rest, using a scope sight, correct?

Someone suggested trying factory match grade ammunition. Might be a good idea, also you might try shooting some 7.62mm Match Ammunition, military match, which you might find some of around.

Not familiar with the particular powder you mentioned. You might consider trying 4895, between 39 and 42 grains, or 3031, between 37 and perhaps 40 grains, check loading manuals.

In their 40 X Rangemaster Target Rifles, Remington used to use 37 grains of 3031, with 168 grain bullets, of unspecified manufacture. Factory target that came with mine had 3- 5 shot groups, 100 yards indoors. Average of 15 shots went into .43". I used the same load at 600 yards, and it shot quite well.

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March 27, 2000, 09:45 AM	#1
Mesa Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2000 Location: Athens Ga area Posts: 131	I just got into reloading afew weeks ago. I'm shooting a .308 btw. My accuracy at 100 yards is really good. I shoot an average .710" group. But at 200 yards I rarley get below 2.75". What do I need to do reloading wise to bring that average down? I'm using 40.5 grams of AA2520 powder (min load), Fed Gold Medal Primers GM210M, and Sierra Matchking HPBT 168 gr bullets. Most of my brass is Remington. Do I need to go up on my charge? Any help will be appreciated.

March 27, 2000, 11:49 AM	#2
Ricciardelli Member Join Date: January 26, 2000 Posts: 57	It probably has nothign to do with your loads or your rifle. It is your ability to hold a steady "bead" at 200 yards...it takes practice.

March 27, 2000, 11:52 AM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Someone else was complaining about this same thing--or was it you? Anyway, I think I'd try a different bullet, just to see if there is a difference. Say, 150-grain anything. Try a different powder. Check the bedding on your rifle. In other words, you're gonna have to try some variables and see what changes. Load 10 rounds of 150 grain bullets and try at 100 and then at 200. Try ten loads of your 168-grains with a different powder and do the 100/200. Damfino; good luck, Art

March 27, 2000, 02:26 PM	#4
Nukem Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Posts: 709	You probably can't see and hold your point of aim as well @200 yrds. You don't say what optics, if any you are using. You have to add in the factors of parallax ,mirage and wind condition at longer ranges. My .300 will do it more often than I can

March 29, 2000, 09:22 AM	#5
gunmart Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2000 Posts: 551	get a scope with a thin cross hair for working up loads and testing.

March 29, 2000, 11:16 PM	#6
TacTrain Member Join Date: November 8, 1999 Location: Phoenix, Arizona USA Posts: 53	Mesa; I think Ricciardelli hit it on the head. BTW how do you and your rifle shoot factory ammo, like Federal Gold Match? Best Regards......George Dean "The time may be fast approaching for the Evolution to End and the Revolution to Begin"

March 30, 2000, 11:04 PM	#7
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Mesa, are you using iron sights, or a scope? (In my answer above, I took it for granted that you had a scope...) Art

March 30, 2000, 11:20 PM	#8
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	Check bedding of rifle, check tension of guard screws. Assume you are shooting over a rest, using a scope sight, correct? Someone suggested trying factory match grade ammunition. Might be a good idea, also you might try shooting some 7.62mm Match Ammunition, military match, which you might find some of around. Not familiar with the particular powder you mentioned. You might consider trying 4895, between 39 and 42 grains, or 3031, between 37 and perhaps 40 grains, check loading manuals. In their 40 X Rangemaster Target Rifles, Remington used to use 37 grains of 3031, with 168 grain bullets, of unspecified manufacture. Factory target that came with mine had 3- 5 shot groups, 100 yards indoors. Average of 15 shots went into .43". I used the same load at 600 yards, and it shot quite well.