Settling in a new rifle.

[BlackWolf Craig]

Evening all, so, after getting a variation recently to upgrade to a .308 I paid a visit to a well respected shop near me and left with a Bergara B14 wilderness carbon and a Stalon moderator. Also left with 3 boxes of 150g ammo (Sako, Norma and Nosler) fitted my scope and went down to my woods earlier to have a go with it and get a rough zero.
Bore sighted it at 20m get me on the paper, checked that with a Sako round, all good. Went back 50m did three rounds and adjusted, again, all good grouped nicely. Went back to 100m and the first 3 shot group wasn’t as great, but took a mid point and adjusted. Did another 3 shot group and got all three holes within a 1” square, so was happy with that. Again, all with the Sako.
Decided I’d try the Nosler and Norma ammo too so I could see if it grouped as well or better etc.
now, I’m aware things are getting hot, so am allowing time for the barrel and moderator to cool down, or what I thought was cool..

Did 3 shots with the Nosler, waited 5 mins, then threw with the Norma. Walked down to the target and the groups were horrendous! Nowhere near the bullseyes and the grouping was shocking. 6-8” apart in some cases! Wondered if something had come loose as everything settling in, so tightened moderator and scope mounts etc, ran a patch through the barrel and allowed everything to cool down a bit. Went back to the Sako and of course the zero and grouping was crap again, from then on trying to get my zero back and get a good group proved a nightmare and everything was getting hot. So called it a day and came home.
So, am I just allowing everything to get too warm, or do I need to do more cleaning or just more trigger time?
Thoughts welcome
Cheers

 

[topscots1]

Did you clean the rifle before shooting ? I always give the barrel a good clean out prior to setting up a new rifle.

As it’s a bergarra remove the action from the stock and check for paint overspray on the bedding.

Refit the action ensure to the correct settings.
Check the scope mounts and rail if using one. And if possible check with a different scope.

 

[VSS]

Probably something worked loose.

 

[BlackWolf Craig]

Did you clean the rifle before shooting ? I always give the barrel a good clean out prior to setting up a new rifle.

As it’s a bergarra remove the action from the stock and check for paint overspray on the bedding.

Refit the action ensure to the correct settings.
Check the scope mounts and rail if using one. And if possible check with a different scope.

Wasn’t a brand new rifle mate, but gave the barrel a spray, scrub and clean last night. Will have a look at the action etc though

 

[BlackWolf Craig]

Did you clean the rifle before shooting ? I always give the barrel a good clean out prior to setting up a new rifle.

As it’s a bergarra remove the action from the stock and check for paint overspray on the bedding.

Refit the action ensure to the correct settings.
Check the scope mounts and rail if using one. And if possible check with a different scope.

It’s also tempting to try and get some really low pressure rounds just to get started..
Beginning to wonder as well if the Stalon was the right choice of moderator? Beautiful light and quiet, but gets very hot very quickly….

 

[Pellet Pinger]

Money says rail has come loose.

 

[Andyquadra]

Give the barrel a good deep clean if its not new, but some barrels don't like being cleaned and might need a few shots to shoot straight.
Try it without the mod, but don't be shy of asking the gun shop to prove it shoots straight, sooner rather that later

 

[old 30-06]

Andyquadra, I agree with you. Remove the moderator (remember to use ear protection). This will instantly let you know if the problem is the moderator. It will also save it from overheating. If you still cannot get it to group, then straight back to the gun shop.

 

[BlackWolf Craig]

I know the first group isn’t perfect, but the smaller group came first… so you can see how much it opened up!

 

[VSS]

I know the first group isn’t perfect, but the smaller group came first… so you can see how much it opened up! View attachment 399854

I have a similar problem, and it's nothing to do with the rifle.
The more I shoot, the worse it gets.
I call it "target fever".
It doesn't affect me when I'm shooting deer.
So, if the first shot on the target is roughly where I want it to be I call it a day and go stalking instead.

 

[SikaSeeker]

Are you shooting from a steady platform? Take your time between each shot not every 3 shots, let the barrel cool, open bolt and take off mod if needed. Might you just be getting frustrated from the bigger groups and pulling your shot?

 

[BlackWolf Craig]

Are you shooting from a steady platform? Take your time between each shot not every 3 shots, let the barrel cool, open bolt and take off mod if needed. Might you just be getting frustrated from the bigger groups and pulling your shot?

All of that is possible mate, the “nut behind the butt” is usually the weakest link

 

[Brighty3006]

Or it only likes certain types of ammunition. I have a sako 243 carbonlight I brought brand new and it shot Federal ammo brilliantly and still does. Tried Norma and hornady and it didn't like them. I also homelands sierra prohunter and it loves them

 

[kieran222]

Having a similar issue. I have had numerous rifles over the years and always managed good groups. Recently I changed from Sako 123g to 150g Hammer Head. The groups were crap. Tried the 123g again and that was also crap. Took the mod off, no change. I did notice a loose screw on the stock which I assume was from when I changed the trigger. Re tightened that and no improvement. I have ordered a Torque Screwdriver and going to refit thee scope and check Torque for all screws. If that doesn't work I'll change to a spare scope.

 

[bullet chucker]

Next time out, shoot your Sako 1 shot, make it a good one! 'Check result.' If good, try the next brand ,make that one a good one, and so on. You will not over heat your barrel if you wait a bit between shots. Good luck.

BC.

 

[TheEngineer]

Had a similar issue with a Marlin a while back. For me the issue was that the screws that held the weaver/ picatinny rail to the receiver had worked loose. If they are loose, put a small drop of blue locktite thread locker on the threads and tighten them down again.

 

[Rural Management Services]

I know the first group isn’t perfect, but the smaller group came first… so you can see how much it opened up! View attachment 399854

Rail is loose on the action or the stock is touching the barrel or the action screws are loose.

Failing that get someone else to shoot it to rule you out.

 

[finnbear270]

Worst case scenario? ............................ How many rounds has it seen before you bought it?
What is the crown like?

 

[Rural Management Services]

Worst case scenario? ............................ How many rounds has it seen before you bought it?

I know what you are saying and it’s always in everyone’s mind with second hand rifles but managed a 1” group before the groupings went wild.

 

[finnbear270]

I know what you are saying and it’s always in everyone’s mind with second hand rifles but managed a 1” group before the groupings went wild.

Then it sounds as others have said, somethings adrift.
What scope is on it?