HELP...I have a problem with a Mod.700

Captok · 01-05-2008, 07:13 PM

I just purchased a Remington Mod. 700 sps Varmint (.223). It has a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 scope. I'm shooting Remington 55gr. PSP (R223r1).
I'm having problems zeroing it in. The best grouping I can get is a 3" circle (in all directions, just no pattern) from 20 meters.

I was shooting the gun from a vice.
I also had a buddy of mine (ex army ranger) shoot it also with the same results.

thanks,
captok

Mooseman684 · 01-05-2008, 07:28 PM

Is it Brand New ???
What is the barrel twist rate ?
Rich

Reddbecca · 01-05-2008, 07:34 PM

Alright settle down Captok. My suggestion is to see what grouping is like at longer rangers, like out to 100 yards or so since that's what rifles are generally sighted in at.

Also try a different brand of ammunition in the same bullet weight, see if that does any better. If not try a heavier or lighter bullet weight and see what the changes are, if they get better or worse. Some people get terrible results with one brand, but a different brand will yield excellent results in the same rifle.

Another thing to try is thouroughly cleaning the bore until it's free of everything that shouldn't be there, because with rifles a little bit of gunk will mess up accuracy.

If nothing works, this might be a case for needing to rely on handloading for MOA or sub-MOA results.

two-70 · 01-05-2008, 07:35 PM

what kind a mounts

Captok · 01-05-2008, 07:37 PM

Yes it is brand new...it's a .223.

not sure of the twist rate

Reddbecca · 01-05-2008, 07:50 PM

Twist rate is very important on a .223 rifle. The 55 gr. market work best with a 1-in-12 twist rate.

On the Remington site they say the twist rate is 1-in-12, so I'd suggest trying several different brands of ammo manufacturers to see if that yields any different results.

Mooseman684 · 01-05-2008, 07:58 PM

If it wont group at 20 meters, it sure as hell wont group better at 100...
The barrel is still breaking in and it will take up to several hundred rounds to do this with cleaning the bore after every 10 to 20 rnds. for the first 100 rnds.
I would check the mounts and all screws for proper tightness and even Torque on all of the screws on the scope mount and rings, just to rule out a loose mount.
Different brands of ammo will shoot differently, so it wont hurt to try some Winchester and Federal ammo as well...
Rich

nathangdad · 01-05-2008, 07:59 PM

As you state it is a new gun, Remington should step up to the plate and fix it. Go to your dealer and have your receipt.

Also, have you checked the stock? Sometimes stocks are not properly channeled for the barrel thus putting undue pressure on some part of the barrel. You might look for any signs of pressure on the stock such as discoloration, friction rub, etc.

dave375hh · 01-07-2008, 03:37 AM

Captok,

You stated you were shooting the rifle from a vice. What kind of vice? Your problem may be with the misalignment of the vice not the rifle. 3" at 20M is hard for me to imagine otherwise.

Captok · 01-07-2008, 08:46 AM

Thanks for all the good ideas.
I'm going to exchange the scope first if that does not work I'll try different brand of ammo. It's getting hard to find Federal or Winchester ammo for a .223 for some reason.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

captok.

223 Shooter · 01-11-2008, 07:59 PM

Sounds like a scope/scope mount problem for a rifle to shoot that poorly at such close range. Not sure exactly how you are using a vise? My best accuracy results occur with a front rifle rest and rear bag.

I bought a SPS Varmint in .223 myself a few months ago. I gave the bore a very thorough cleaning before the first range session. It was really a shooter right from the start. Mine really likes 52 grain match bullets. I reload but you should still do WAY BETTER than 3" even at 100 meters with factory ammo.

Let us know if the scope change makes a difference.

Uncle Harley · 01-13-2008, 04:36 PM

I bought the same gun last fall & found that ammo can make a big difference. It shot great right out of the box. Mine likes Ultramax 55gr FMJ & 52gr JHP, Federal 50gr JHP, & Hornady 55gr Vmax Moly. It hates anything Wolf. A 4" group at 100 yds was the best, if you can call it that, with Wolf. Everything else was less than 2" group the first time I shot it. Seems a different ammo might be a cheaper solution. The twist is a 1:12 so you won't do well with a heavier bullet. 40 to 55 gr should be the ticket.

samuel · 01-13-2008, 04:42 PM

Take it to a qualified gun smith.You will save money. sam.

Captok · 01-13-2008, 09:07 PM

I started shooting the Hornady 55gr Vmax and now im getting a great pattern from 50yds. I put 5 shots inside a size of a quarter.

Didnt know different brands could make that big of difference.....Lesson learned

thanks for the advice.

slaughterhouse · 02-03-2008, 04:43 AM

Hey buddy I hate to tell you this because no one likes to hear this about a gun they just bought but I just recently bought a 223 remington sps and I had to send it back to the factory I couldn't get it dialed in either 3 different kinds of shells and 2 scopes later it still at the gun shop same problems as you explained except I tried at 30yards and 50 yards to see if it was me pulling or shaking but at that range I can drive tacks with my fathers 22 mag so I shipped it back.

contact remington they will tell you exactly where to send it back to. you see I just sent my remington 223 back for the same reason. See only certain gun smiths are qualified to look and work on remington guns or at least thats what they told me. It makes you mad don't it to give that much money for a rifle and it be junk.

huge · 02-29-2008, 07:42 AM

dont forget that scopes most of the time aren't moumted properly and a good alignment and lapping will cure alot of accuracy problems.
also shooting in the barrel properly is paramount to good accuracy and life from a barrel - its loke running in a new car, the better you do it the longer it will last you

samuel · 02-29-2008, 08:03 AM

Some 55gr bullets(few and far between)will not stabilise in a 1in12" twist.In .223 1in9"twist is the way to go because of lower velocity. sam.

01-05-2008, 07:13 PM	#1
Captok Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Deep woods of Arkansas Posts: 15	HELP...I have a problem with a Mod.700 I just purchased a Remington Mod. 700 sps Varmint (.223). It has a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 scope. I'm shooting Remington 55gr. PSP (R223r1). I'm having problems zeroing it in. The best grouping I can get is a 3" circle (in all directions, just no pattern) from 20 meters. I was shooting the gun from a vice. I also had a buddy of mine (ex army ranger) shoot it also with the same results. thanks, captok Last edited by Captok; 01-05-2008 at 07:37 PM.

01-05-2008, 07:28 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,601 Images: 2	Is it Brand New ??? What is the barrel twist rate ? Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-05-2008, 07:35 PM	#4
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,783	what kind a mounts __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-05-2008, 07:58 PM	#7
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,601 Images: 2	If it wont group at 20 meters, it sure as hell wont group better at 100... The barrel is still breaking in and it will take up to several hundred rounds to do this with cleaning the bore after every 10 to 20 rnds. for the first 100 rnds. I would check the mounts and all screws for proper tightness and even Torque on all of the screws on the scope mount and rings, just to rule out a loose mount. Different brands of ammo will shoot differently, so it wont hurt to try some Winchester and Federal ammo as well... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-05-2008, 07:59 PM	#8
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,943	Another possibility As you state it is a new gun, Remington should step up to the plate and fix it. Go to your dealer and have your receipt. Also, have you checked the stock? Sometimes stocks are not properly channeled for the barrel thus putting undue pressure on some part of the barrel. You might look for any signs of pressure on the stock such as discoloration, friction rub, etc. Last edited by nathangdad; 01-05-2008 at 08:00 PM. Reason: addition

01-05-2008, 07:34 PM	#3
Reddbecca Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 102	Alright settle down Captok. My suggestion is to see what grouping is like at longer rangers, like out to 100 yards or so since that's what rifles are generally sighted in at. Also try a different brand of ammunition in the same bullet weight, see if that does any better. If not try a heavier or lighter bullet weight and see what the changes are, if they get better or worse. Some people get terrible results with one brand, but a different brand will yield excellent results in the same rifle. Another thing to try is thouroughly cleaning the bore until it's free of everything that shouldn't be there, because with rifles a little bit of gunk will mess up accuracy. If nothing works, this might be a case for needing to rely on handloading for MOA or sub-MOA results.

01-05-2008, 07:37 PM	#5
Captok Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Deep woods of Arkansas Posts: 15	Yes it is brand new...it's a .223. not sure of the twist rate

01-05-2008, 07:50 PM	#6
Reddbecca Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 102	Twist rate is very important on a .223 rifle. The 55 gr. market work best with a 1-in-12 twist rate. On the Remington site they say the twist rate is 1-in-12, so I'd suggest trying several different brands of ammo manufacturers to see if that yields any different results.

01-07-2008, 03:37 AM	#9
dave375hh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 587	Captok, You stated you were shooting the rifle from a vice. What kind of vice? Your problem may be with the misalignment of the vice not the rifle. 3" at 20M is hard for me to imagine otherwise. __________________ Dave 375 H&H

01-07-2008, 08:46 AM	#10
Captok Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Deep woods of Arkansas Posts: 15	Thanks for all the good ideas. I'm going to exchange the scope first if that does not work I'll try different brand of ammo. It's getting hard to find Federal or Winchester ammo for a .223 for some reason. I'll let you know what I come up with. captok.

01-11-2008, 07:59 PM	#11
223 Shooter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 8	Sounds like a scope/scope mount problem for a rifle to shoot that poorly at such close range. Not sure exactly how you are using a vise? My best accuracy results occur with a front rifle rest and rear bag. I bought a SPS Varmint in .223 myself a few months ago. I gave the bore a very thorough cleaning before the first range session. It was really a shooter right from the start. Mine really likes 52 grain match bullets. I reload but you should still do WAY BETTER than 3" even at 100 meters with factory ammo. Let us know if the scope change makes a difference.

01-13-2008, 04:36 PM	#12
Uncle Harley Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Indiana Posts: 18	I bought the same gun last fall & found that ammo can make a big difference. It shot great right out of the box. Mine likes Ultramax 55gr FMJ & 52gr JHP, Federal 50gr JHP, & Hornady 55gr Vmax Moly. It hates anything Wolf. A 4" group at 100 yds was the best, if you can call it that, with Wolf. Everything else was less than 2" group the first time I shot it. Seems a different ammo might be a cheaper solution. The twist is a 1:12 so you won't do well with a heavier bullet. 40 to 55 gr should be the ticket.

01-13-2008, 04:42 PM	#13
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,262	Take it to a qualified gun smith.You will save money. sam.

01-13-2008, 09:07 PM	#14
Captok Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Deep woods of Arkansas Posts: 15	It was the bullets.... I started shooting the Hornady 55gr Vmax and now im getting a great pattern from 50yds. I put 5 shots inside a size of a quarter. Didnt know different brands could make that big of difference.....Lesson learned thanks for the advice.

02-03-2008, 04:43 AM	#15
slaughterhouse Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 26	Hey buddy I hate to tell you this because no one likes to hear this about a gun they just bought but I just recently bought a 223 remington sps and I had to send it back to the factory I couldn't get it dialed in either 3 different kinds of shells and 2 scopes later it still at the gun shop same problems as you explained except I tried at 30yards and 50 yards to see if it was me pulling or shaking but at that range I can drive tacks with my fathers 22 mag so I shipped it back. contact remington they will tell you exactly where to send it back to. you see I just sent my remington 223 back for the same reason. See only certain gun smiths are qualified to look and work on remington guns or at least thats what they told me. It makes you mad don't it to give that much money for a rifle and it be junk. Last edited by slaughterhouse; 02-03-2008 at 04:51 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

02-29-2008, 07:42 AM	#16
huge Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5	dont forget that scopes most of the time aren't moumted properly and a good alignment and lapping will cure alot of accuracy problems. also shooting in the barrel properly is paramount to good accuracy and life from a barrel - its loke running in a new car, the better you do it the longer it will last you

02-29-2008, 08:03 AM	#17
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,262	Some 55gr bullets(few and far between)will not stabilise in a 1in12" twist.In .223 1in9"twist is the way to go because of lower velocity. sam.