Post by jrypka on Feb 4, 2021 15:15:57 GMT -5
Hey guys,
I've got a Weatherby Mark V in 30-06 that has been my go-to big game rifle for a number of years. I had two real nice loads worked up, one with 165gr Accubonds and one with 180gr Partitions. The ABs shot about 0.75" and the Partitions about 1". Last summer I got to thinking I should work up a load with a mono. Figured, why not? Potentially keeping some lead fragments out of the kids intestines is a good thing. Well, I tried 165gr TTSX with about 5 different powders and COLs from 0.020 to 0.150 off the lands. I couldn't get anything to group, and they all seemed to be vertical strings. I tried bipod, I tried sand bags, I tried a sled, all with similar results. By now I was starting to question the rifle so I went back and shot a group of my previous loaded ABs, and they shot about 2". The VX3 scope, the rings, and the bases all looked good and tight, so I took the action out of the stock. Couldn't find anything wrong there either, but figured it might be an action screw or something. I looked up the torque specs on the Weatherby site and put the action back in the stock following their torque recommendations. Went back out and shot another group of my ABs. Less than 3/4" group, but now over 3" LOW compared to previous POI. What's up with that? I haven't adjusted the scope. Is it common that taking the action out and putting it back in would affect the POI that much?
I haven't been out to verify that my problem is solved, so I'll go shoot another group with the ABs before I go back to trying some TTSX again. The last 3/4" group is promising, but that POI shift has me scratching my head. Sure, I can just adjust the scope and drive on, but I like to know why things are happening first.
I've got a Weatherby Mark V in 30-06 that has been my go-to big game rifle for a number of years. I had two real nice loads worked up, one with 165gr Accubonds and one with 180gr Partitions. The ABs shot about 0.75" and the Partitions about 1". Last summer I got to thinking I should work up a load with a mono. Figured, why not? Potentially keeping some lead fragments out of the kids intestines is a good thing. Well, I tried 165gr TTSX with about 5 different powders and COLs from 0.020 to 0.150 off the lands. I couldn't get anything to group, and they all seemed to be vertical strings. I tried bipod, I tried sand bags, I tried a sled, all with similar results. By now I was starting to question the rifle so I went back and shot a group of my previous loaded ABs, and they shot about 2". The VX3 scope, the rings, and the bases all looked good and tight, so I took the action out of the stock. Couldn't find anything wrong there either, but figured it might be an action screw or something. I looked up the torque specs on the Weatherby site and put the action back in the stock following their torque recommendations. Went back out and shot another group of my ABs. Less than 3/4" group, but now over 3" LOW compared to previous POI. What's up with that? I haven't adjusted the scope. Is it common that taking the action out and putting it back in would affect the POI that much?
I haven't been out to verify that my problem is solved, so I'll go shoot another group with the ABs before I go back to trying some TTSX again. The last 3/4" group is promising, but that POI shift has me scratching my head. Sure, I can just adjust the scope and drive on, but I like to know why things are happening first.