Lightweight rifle accuracy

Being an amateur, i hadn’t thought about recoil management contributing to such a variation in accuracy. Could I ask the OP who made the rifle’s stock and is it adjustable? I’d also like to wish you luck sorting this rifle out - sounds like an interesting problem and it would be informative to know how this plays out.
 
Being an amateur, i hadn’t thought about recoil management contributing to such a variation in accuracy. Could I ask the OP who made the rifle’s stock and is it adjustable? I’d also like to wish you luck sorting this rifle out - sounds like an interesting problem and it would be informative to know how this plays out.
As a friend says, ‘recoil is a bu*ger’.

You may well not be bothered by it, possibly not even notice it, but if the gun is jumping and it’s not being held consistently, it can throw things off, sometimes by a huge amount.

I say can: it doesn’t have to. Just that as the amount of movement increases (either due to lighter rifle or more powerful cartridge), it becomes harder to maintain consistency.

But even in a very light gun, a .308 with a mod shouldn’t be very hard to control.
 
The effect mod has on recoil (minus the extra weight it brings) doesn't start until bullet has exited the barrel.

It always seem that many people see recoil as a question of masculinity. I know my limits, and I can shoot full-house 550gr 458 Lott accurately, in controlled situation like range. But when you want precision, especially from different positions, a 3kg 308 plus scope is affecting most people's shooting (me included). With decent amount of shooting this can be alleviated, but you should remember "practice makes permanent", or "only perfect practice makes perfect".
 
Thanks for your update.
Personally I feel it’s important that those of us on this site are free with our information so that we are all aware of good and bad practice or practitioners, and so that people/gunsmiths/RFD’s aren’t the victims of malicious ‘Chinese whispers’.
 
Stock design used to be critical and I often look at the old Rigby 275 design as a masterpiece of recoil management (not that the cartridge is severe) in the days when form followed function. Nowadays a brief look at modern stock designs shows that the reverse is true and that form is more important but sadly function is left behind and everyone is expected to adapt to modern designs regardless!
You can make modern stocks with modern materials and technology that follow function and will work as well as an expensive piece of walnut!
Stocks can be designed for shooting and we should consider the primary purpose over the latest must haves!
Similar, traditional stock design, no drop in comb, but meant for scope not irons like Rigby. Very light, but handles .308 recoil, including heavy loads, with aplomb.
 

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I own a browning blr tracker in 308. This is a very difficult gun to group and even sight in. Very light plus draggy trigger - better of just sighting it in at 50 yards or even 25 if using red dot. But just ride with it - theres no issue when hunting out to 150 yards.
 
I’m amazed how being a bit sloppy it’s possible to shoot utterly crap I have a 11lb rifle and was wondering why it shot so terrible. This is a very accurate rifle usually. Began to think I’d knackered it the spent a little time focusing on shooting and you can see the two targets… turns out even heavy good rifles still need steering lol IMG_4639.webpIMG_4640.webp
 
I can assure you that it has been built to the highest standard by a very well regarded rifle builder
Have you let the gunsmith know that your having problems?
If no, that would be my next step.
Let the gunsmith try it.
M
 
The only sensible answer so far.
All the others are just conjecture without examining it.
That’s because they aren’t in a position to examine it, hence conjecture, it’s a shooting forum and the OP is looking for opinions 👍
 
I'm a woodland stalker who likes to stalk in as close as I can, mainly because I know my own limitations. However I came across this video this morning and was most impressed by the guy's shooting using a factory standard lightweight Tikka T3 in 7mm Rem Mag out to nearly 600 yards. An excellent advert for Tikka in my opinion.

Youtube - Hunting Guide VS. Backfire Shooting Challenge. 600 Yards!
 
How does it shoot off hand?
All this chasing tiny groups can have you chasing your tail. You bought a light weight rifle for what? Stalking? How far is your average shot? Can this rifle shoot where you are looking. Will it not still bring home the bacon?
What percentage of deer are shot off hand? I bet a tiny percentage
 
What percentage of deer are shot off hand? I bet a tiny percentage
Don't know, I've shot several off hand.
Some rifles lend themselves to it but will also take a rested shot.
A heavy cumbersome rifle always needs some help.
 
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