What really matters for superb rifle accuracy?

[Chandler1836]

Hello,

I am new to Rokslide and forums in general, but I’d like to see if anyone out there could give me some advice or give me a reality check on a rifle I am wanting to be my most dependable “go to” rifle for all game.

I have a Tikka T3X Veil Wideland Chambered in 30-06 Springfield with a 20” barrel. I put a SIG Whiskey4 3-12x44 on it and shot 6 different factory loads in 150gr, 165gr, 175gr, and 180gr. Only 2 of the loads could get to 1 MOA in a 5 shot group, and it never shot less than that.

After these results, I decided to invest in a reloading set up and try hand loading for better accuracy. I am an absolute novice, so I worked up a load from scratch:
- Vihtavuori N550
- CCI #200’s
- Once fired Brass
- Barnes LRX 175gr bullets.

I started at 50gr and loaded up to 53gr of powder and landed on a really good load with an SD of 9 and 6 the 2 times I grouped it. However, the best 5 shot group is still just .918” at 100yd.

I am no benchest champion, so I should probably have a more experienced shooter take a stab at grouping the gun. But, my pursuit is far from over. I have new rings and a new scope on the way and would love to upgrade the stock. I just got a suppressor cover to fight off the mirage on my groups, and will be shooting off of a bipod and rear bags.

QUESTION: of all the things I could change about the rifle or the load, what do you guys believe REALLY matters in the pursuit of superb accuracy in a rifle?

I guess a bonus question: have yall ever had to call it quits on a gun because it just won’t do what you want it to do? If so, when did you make that call and what were you able to sell the rifle for, Pennie’s on the dollar or pretty good deal?

Thank you guys!

 

[ddowning]

What does the gun weight? Have you shot other guns better that weight the same? What is your accuracy goal? What do the groups look like after 10 shots? If you really want to go wild you could go to 20 or 30 shots. Let the gun cool as often as you like.

Most important aspects to top accuracy, shooter, barrel, bullets, brass. The bedding needs to be decent. That's it. A hunting weight rifle that shoots 20 shots into 1 moa or better is pretty good. One that will do it in 3/4 minute is damn good. In my experience, it is fairly difficult to get even a prs weight rifle with top components to keep 20 inside 1/2 moa. It is doable, but it is not automatic. For the most part, it has nothing to do with reloading. Take 6 dasher or 6.5 creedmoor. There is a load that is close to what nearly everyone is using. Lapua brass, a berger bullet, varget or 4350, cci or federal gmm. There is a reamer that is pretty much the same that most people are using. A cut rifled barrel worked over by a really picky gunsmith and it will shoot the known good load as well as pretty much everything else. Reloading can take a 2 moa gun and make it a 1.5 moa gun, maybe. But you're not going to turn a 1.5 moa gun into a half moa gun by reloading.

 

[wpeach1912]

Barrels and reloading components (mainly bullet consistency and shape) from a hardware standpoint. Some cartridges are inherently more consistently accurate than others due to chamber designs and powder column dimensions. 30-06 would not be on the good side of either of those

 

[nm.otter]

What does the gun weight? Have you shot other guns better that weigh the same? What is your accuracy goal?

This

Single biggest contributor would be a different (lighter recoiling) chambering IMO.

 

[Chandler1836]

Barrels and reloading components (mainly bullet consistency and shape) from a hardware standpoint. Some cartridges are inherently more consistently accurate than others due to chamber designs and powder column dimensions. 30-06 would not be on the good side of either of those

Thank you for the response. I am a little concerned your answer may be the reality check I need for this gun. I picked the 30-06 because it seemed versatile enough grain weight wise to take game here in Texas where I live and anything else I’m lucky enough to hunt in North America. However, it seems a lot of folks prefer newer case design, long sleeker bullets, heavy for cartridge with fast twist barrels, and people seem confident in the stopping power on big game even if the caliber is smaller.

Basically, the reality check may be to let this gun be a “good” gun and try for a “exceptional” gun on a new(er) caliber.