Rifle inaccuracies

[kenbro]

Very puzzling indeed. The only thing I can think of is a coincidental ‚stabilization‘ of the bullet at 100m.
Bullets tumble on leaving the muzzle and stabilize during flight due to their rotation. When I said ‚stabilize at 100m‘ I meant that the tumble is in some sort of equilibrium at that distance - a very wild thought, I know.
How does it shoot at 50m? If my theory holds true the absolute group size should be very similar to that at 100m, where you would normally expect a much smaller group.

I’ve never heard of bullets tumbling when leaving a barrel, but, I have heard of bullets “Going to sleep” as range extends and thus producing better MOA groups at longer range than intermediate range.
Ken.

 

[Steff]

I’ve never heard of bullets tumbling when leaving a barrel, but, I have heard of bullets “Going to sleep” as range extends and thus producing better MOA groups at longer range than intermediate range.
Ken.

Well, they do, because of multiple external inaccuracies. Thrust turbulences and muzzle swing being the most prominent ones. A kick in the arse which is not 100% in line with the trajectory if you like.
The ‚going to sleep‘ phenomenon is exactly what I meant when I said that a bullet stabilizes during flight.

 

[Dunwaters]

1/4 inch group at 100m
3inch group, 3 inches low at 150m (tightest it's been at distance)

If you’ve gone for a dead nuts zero at 100, then the 3’’ low at 150 is understandable but a bit more than I’d expect.
It looks like your bore and scope may not be parallel, one or both are canted from line of sight, but that doesn’t explain the group size.

 

[Dunwaters]

There's no parallax adjustment on the scope

Then its factory set at a particular distance and looks like it might be a contributing factor. Can you try the scope on a different rifle?
Frankly its a weird one and you might well be better off moving just the rifle on.

 

[Tikka 270]

If you’ve gone for a dead nuts zero at 100, then the 3’’ low at 150 is understandable but a bit more than I’d expect.
It looks like your bore and scope may not be parallel, one or both are canted from line of sight, but that doesn’t explain the group size.

Zeroed at 100 I think it should be 2 to 2.5 inches low at 200 so it's pretty low for 150 I'd say.
Definitely going to move the rifle on and continue with my old one until the new tikka arrives

 

[Lancaster]

Zeroed at 100 I think it should be 2 to 2.5 inches low at 200 so it's pretty low for 150 I'd say.
Definitely going to move the rifle on and continue with my old one until the new tikka arrives

Note to self, do not buy a used rifle from this guy...

I really hope you will be absolutely honest about the rifle when you move it on.

It is really weird that a rifle shoots 0.25 MOA at 100yds, then 2 MOA at 150, I can't recall such an extreme deterioration.

Instead of asking questions on the internet to people that have never seen, never mind shot the rifle, why don't you just take it to a decent smith and ask him to have a look and let him tell you what he thinks is happening?

 

[Tikka 270]

Note to self, do not buy a used rifle from this guy...

I really hope you will be absolutely honest about the rifle when you move it on.

It is really weird that a rifle shoots 0.25 MOA at 100yds, then 2 MOA at 150, I can't recall such an extreme deterioration.

Instead of asking questions on the internet to people that have never seen, never mind shot the rifle, why don't you just take it to a decent smith and ask him to have a look and let him tell you what he thinks is happening?

Going by some people on here that's acceptable accuracy at 150m.
I'll get it sent back to sako as its not fit for purpose.
I could take it to a rifle Smith but its pointless when I've ordered a new rifle, I've no interest in this one now. I asked on here as I was bored and curious if anyone else had these issues or any bright ideas to try that I haven't thought of (which theres been a couple and I'm very thankful for).

 

[Dalua]

Optilocks, all tight and secure

Just to check (yawn, I know...) - you've taken the scope/mounts combo off the rifle and checked that the ring-to-base screws are tight?

 

[Dalua]

Going by some people on here that's acceptable accuracy at 150m.

I'd imagine it's a more a common degree of accuracy than 0.25" at 100m from a sporting rifle using factory ammunition!

 

[Steff]

I'd imagine it's a more a common degree of accuracy than 0.25" at 100m from a sporting rifle using factory ammunition!

Definitely not.

 

[gixer1]

Could understand this if it was a tikka but not with a Sako….

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Could understand this if it was a tikka but not with a Sako….

Fighting talk!

 

[JTO]

Could it be that there is something drastically wrong, but the .25 MOA at 100m is a 'fluke'? IE the problems cancel each other out at that range.
That's partially why I suggested shooting a 50m group.
I've never had a Sako, but all three tikkas that I have bought in recent years have not had a fully floating barrel. I have had to sand down some of the barrel channel for the first 3" in front of the action.

 

[Bowland blades]

Anyone had an issue with a rifle shooting clover leafs in the bull at 100m but seriously inaccurate at 150m+?
If so what was the cause and solution?

Yeah I have its when the bullet is not truly stabilised. .22 hornet 35 v max in my cz shoots great at 100 but at 200 it's like a shotgun pattern more than a group ( the rifle will shoot a range of different bullets 0.25 moa at 200 yards but not those v max

 

[Lancaster]

Going by some people on here that's acceptable accuracy at 150m.
I'll get it sent back to sako as its not fit for purpose.
I could take it to a rifle Smith but its pointless when I've ordered a new rifle, I've no interest in this one now. I asked on here as I was bored and curious if anyone else had these issues or any bright ideas to try that I haven't thought of (which theres been a couple and I'm very thankful for).

In that case does it not have to go back to an smith authorised by Sako/Tikka for inspection before they will accept it, and you stated that it was out of warranty??

 

[Tikka 270]

I s

Just to check (yawn, I know...) - you've taken the scope/mounts combo off the rifle and checked that the ring-to-base screws are tight?

I sure have

 

[Tikka 270]

I'd imagine it's a more a common degree of accuracy than 0.25" at 100m from a sporting rifle using factory ammunition!

Maybe that's down to the skill of the people using them

 

[Tikka 270]

Could understand this if it was a tikka but not with a Sako….

Tikkas are twice the rifle, I'll not be touching a sako again

 

[Tikka 270]

Qu

Could it be that there is something drastically wrong, but the .25 MOA at 100m is a 'fluke'? IE the problems cancel each other out at that range.
That's partially why I suggested shooting a 50m group.
I've never had a Sako, but all three tikkas that I have bought in recent years have not had a fully floating barrel. I have had to sand down some of the barrel channel for the first 3" in front of the action.

Quite possibly, I will try it at 50m when the weather calms down here

 

[Tikka 270]

You

In that case does it not have to go back to an smith authorised by Tikka for inspection before they will accept it, and you stated that it was out of warranty??

You Seem very worried about what I'm going to do with this rifle you can rest easy though as I'll be handing it to my local gunshop and they are going to comatct them and deal with it for me