What am I Missing?

[JMUPT]

So I recently purchased a used Remington 700 Ti chambered in 7mm-08 Imp. The rifle has the factory barrel and stock and the stock was bedded to about the midpoint in the forearm and has pillers installed. I purchased some factory Remington 140gr accutips ammo to fireform some brass and put a leupold VX3i 4.5-14x40 scope on it sitting in talley lightweight rings. While sighting the rifle in / fireforming brass the cold bore shot wants to go about 2" high of point of aim, then the 2nd and 3rd shots are dead on and shots 3-4 were an inch lower than POA, any additional shots continue to impact lower and lower as the barrel heats up. Also while sighting in I noticed when adjusting the windage the point of impact moves significantly more than it should. I would adjust 1 moa (4 clicks) to the left and it would move 3 MOA. So I think I have a scope issue, but also believe that there may be a bedding or other issue causing the shots to continue to go lower and lower. The action screws are torqued to 40 in/lb, base and ring screws are torqued to factory specs and have blue loktite on them. Could the issue be the bedding going half way out the forearm. Most of the rifles I have seen the bedding either stops around an inch past the recoil lug or goes the full length of the stock. I'm going to switch out the scopes and shoot some more this weekend, but am I missing any other culprits?

 

[DangerRanger]

Scope first, then regroup

 

[Silvereagle50]

Can’t help. But interested in what comes of this.
Good luck. Hope you find the issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Michael54]

Scope first, then regroup

Agreed it could be your zero is moving and not because your barrel is heating up.

 

[Rob5589]

Definitely get the scope issue fixed first. One thing at a time. That scope should perform, unless something is wrong internally. Is it new?

 

[keepriding]

Break in the rifle to make sure you are aware of its capability.

 

[16Bore]

Make sure the front scope base screw isn’t deadheading on the shank and that the front action screw isn’t hitting the bolt head.

Or your scope could have puked.

I had a 260 Faux Ti that was accurate as hell and the only bedding was at the lug but the speed bumps were still in place.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I've never bedded any of my rifles.

 

[mlgc20]

Agree with the others to look at the scope. I would also consider trying a different ammo. Some guns don't like certain ammo configurations.

 

[16Bore]

I've never bedded any of my rifles.

Me either....well, just the ones that end with “ikka”

 

[JMUPT]

Thanks for the replies. A different scope will be going on today. I got the leupold in trade a year ago and haven't used it until now, so it's history is unknown. The dies for the rifle should be here by the end of the week so hopefully Fireformed ammo will help as well.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Me either....well, just the ones that end with “ikka”

I only have Winchester and Remingtons.

 

[JMUPT]

Just a little update, I switched out scopes and the rifle is still walking around. My reloading dies just came in so my next step is to load some fireformed brass and see if that helps. I would have thought factory 7mm-08 ammo would shoot consistent groups but maybe not tight ones. If fireformed ammo doesn't help, next step is to look at the bedding.

 

[elkguide]

I have seen some Improved rifles that shot factory ammo to POA and others that did crazy patterns. Keep us in the loop.

 

[Michael54]

I have seen some Improved rifles that shot factory ammo to POA and others that did crazy patterns. Keep us in the loop.

If you wanna see a crazy pattern you should see my 7mm mag with barnes bullets.

 

[16Bore]

Fold up a piece of tinfoil and slide it between the barrel and stock up to the point of the front sling stud. Couple groups will tell you if pressure on the forearm helps.

And be sure the mag box isn’t binding, actually check that first.

It ain’t the ammo.

 

[16Bore]

If you wanna see a crazy pattern you should see my 7mm mag with barnes bullets.

How deep are they seated?

 

[Michael54]

How deep are they seated?

Factory 160 gr tsx. I've always just been a boxed ammo guy up until recently. Im currently shooting handloaded game kings.

 

[JMUPT]

Last update, I have the issues figured out. The issue was the factory ammo. I neck sized some Fireformed brass and loaded the brass with 46gr of imr 4350 and 140gr accubond. I shot a couple 1" 3 shot groups, and the rifle held point of aim with no walking around. I was thrilled to have the problem solved and to have found a load that shot well right out of the gate. I decided to try 47gr of powder and it was a little tighter group and tried 48gr and it was even better. I was running out of time and decided that was good enough for today. I think I will take the rifle hunting on Tuesday.

 

[Sled]

Factory 160 gr tsx. I've always just been a boxed ammo guy up until recently. Im currently shooting handloaded game kings.

My 7mag came with 160gr tsx as the preferred ammo. Lots of load testing only to find out that it likes the 150ttsx and loves the 160 accubond. All off the shelf.