{"id":422,"date":"2023-06-30T20:48:46","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T20:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=422"},"modified":"2023-06-30T20:48:46","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T20:48:46","slug":"solving-anomalous-accuracy-and-reliability-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/?p=422","title":{"rendered":"Solving Anomalous Accuracy And Reliability Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-solutions-to-common-accuracy-and-reliability-problems-that-often-seem-inexplicable\"><strong>Solutions to common accuracy and reliability problems that often seem inexplicable.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>I was sitting at the shooting bench with my shiny new (new to me, anyway) Winchester Model 70 and driven to a new level of frustration. I had purchased the best scope and mounts I could afford, and while they might not have been impressive, they were certainly reliable. The rifle was chambered for .375 Holland &amp; Holland Magnum, and though fully capable of taking any game animal on earth, it doesn\u2019t crush the shoulder. In other words, the rifle, scope and mounts were capable of fine precision\u2014and is sweet-shooting compared to the bigger bores, where recoil gets serious.<\/p>\n<p>I also acquired the best ammunition I could get and did my best to zero the rifle. Once the gun was printing on the bull\u2019s-eye, I settled down to evaluate group size. The rifle would\u2014routinely\u2014print the first shot in the 1-inch bull\u2019s-eye, the second shot 2 to 3 inches up and to the right and the third shot within \u00be inch of the first. I was convinced it was my shooting that was the culprit, so I asked my dad to send some lead downrange to prove me wrong. He had the same results.<\/p>\n<p>Blaming the ammunition, I quickly ordered some reloading dies and necessary components, and I began to develop and handload for the rifle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"517\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/accuracy-feature-boat-tail-bullets.jpg\" alt=\"accuracy-feature-boat-tail-bullets\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/accuracy-feature-boat-tail-bullets.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/accuracy-feature-boat-tail-bullets-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/accuracy-feature-boat-tail-bullets-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/accuracy-feature-boat-tail-bullets-696x450.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/accuracy-feature-boat-tail-bullets-650x420.jpg 650w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nothing Changed<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In fact, some of the loads got worse. Change bullets, change primers, change powder, vary the charge, vary the seating depth\u2014nothing.<\/p>\n<p>It took me swallowing my pride and resorting to calling a professional; Hill Country Rifles actually diagnosed the issue over the phone, and it was the rifle\u2019s bedding that was the culprit. In fact, the particular era of Model 70 I had was notorious for this problem, but I\u2019d have never known it without consulting a qualified gunsmith. That was certainly a learning experience, and I\u2019ve never forgotten it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle-accuracy\" class=\"wp-image-289710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle-accuracy\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rifle-accuracy-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sometimes firearms do things they shouldn\u2019t, or at least things that seem inexplicable. The action of my Winchester was moving ever so slightly in the stock between two spots each time it went into recoil, but the bedding job sorted that out, making it a 1-MOA rifle after surgery. Rifles are more than just cookie-cutter components slapped together.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Picky Eater<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A friend has a 7mm Remington Magnum for which he purchased a couple different premium brands of ammunition. He called me to discuss what could be wrong with his rifle, as he couldn\u2019t keep three shots inside of 5 inches. Action screws were properly tightened, scope and mounts were also, and he had a couple of other rifles at the range that day printing impressive groups, so it\u2014apparently\u2014wasn\u2019t the shooter.<\/p>\n<p>He abandoned the rifle that weekend and went back the following weekend with a well-known but \u201clesser\u201d brand of ammo. \u201cI don\u2019t understand. This thing just printed a 1-inch group!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Why would a rifle show such a large difference between brands of ammunition, while others seem to digest anything?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2.jpg\" alt=\"rifle-accuracy-2\" class=\"wp-image-289711\" width=\"726\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2.jpg\" alt=\"rifle-accuracy-2\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289711\" width=\"726\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-2-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The author with the Winchester Model 70 .375 H&amp;H that gave fits before being properly bedded. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I have another Winchester Model 70 of a similar era to the one I described above, but chambered in .300 Holland &amp; Holland Magnum, which shows such a dislike for the 180-grain bullets I\u2019ve used for so many years in other .300 H&amp;Hs, that I nearly sent the rifle out for an exorcism. It was a box of Nosler ammunition loaded with their 200-grain AccuBond boat-tail bullet that turned the rifle from zero to hero, printing under \u00be-MOA repeatedly.<\/p>\n<p>The issue with both of these rifles is a matter of barrel harmonics. When you find the proper harmonics for a particular rifle barrel, it\u2019ll seem like the rifle can do no wrong. But when the harmonics aren\u2019t compatible with the barrel, nothing seems to go right. Accuracy is a simple matter of repeatability, and finding the load that generates the vibrations repeatable in a particular barrel can be a daunting task.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets.jpg\" alt=\"flat-base bullets not boat-tail bullets\" class=\"wp-image-289720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets.jpg\" alt=\"flat-base bullets not boat-tail bullets\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/flat-base-bullets-not-boat-tail-bullets-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A flat-base bullet can offer great performance and doesn\u2019t give up much inside of 250 yards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When I started going down the rabbit hole of developing the most accurate handloads possible for my rifles, I found that a variation of 0.2 grain of powder could have a drastic effect on group size. The bearing surface of a particular bullet can definitely play a role, and I\u2019ve seen rifle barrels like bullets with tons of bearing surface\u2014my .300 H&amp;H is one example\u2014and I\u2019ve had rifles that like less bearing surface.<\/p>\n<p>My Ruger .308 Winchester shows a definite preference for 150- and 165-grain bullets, while my Winchester 70 Classic Stainless .300 Winchester Magnum will handle just about anything you feed it.<\/p>\n<p>My point? You can\u2019t tell what kind of harmonics a barrel will like by looking at it, and sometimes it\u2019ll take some experimentation to find the best performance.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of the aforementioned 7mm Remington Magnum, the premium ammunition was by no means at fault. Buying the most expensive ammunition isn\u2019t a guarantee of optimal performance. Brand X\u2019s stellar performance in a buddy\u2019s rifle doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019ll see the same in yours, nor does it mean that Brand X is necessarily better than Brand Y. I will state that, generally speaking, the premium ammunition is held to higher standards than standard grades, and you\u2019ll find that quite often the projectiles are more consistent and offer a better level of terminal performance.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets.jpg\" alt=\"Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets\" class=\"wp-image-289713\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets.jpg\" alt=\"Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289713\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hornady-ELD-X-boat-tail-bullets-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sleek boat-tail bullets, like the Hornady ELD-X, shown here may need some time and distance to settle down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I\u2019ve also noticed that the faster rifle cartridges seem to amplify the variations in harmonics, so keep that in mind as well. I know ammunition supplies are compromised at best, but as things become available again, find that ammo your rifle likes best and stock up on it. By trying something you might not have considered before, you might find that magic combination.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Choking Hazards<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A friend purchased a new autoloading handgun and proudly took it to the range with a couple of boxes that the gunshop salesman recommended. He had, within an hour, proclaimed that his new purchase was a \u201cpile of crap;\u201d it had jammed, failed to feed and completely frustrated him.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber.jpg\" alt=\"pistol-chamber\" class=\"wp-image-289714\" width=\"726\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber.jpg\" alt=\"pistol-chamber\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289714\" width=\"726\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pistol-chamber-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rough feed ramp can pose a problem in some handguns, as certain bullet profiles may not feed. Get the feed ramp polished and you\u2019ll see an improvement immediately. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t that the gun was no good, but it was a common problem: the pistol\u2019s feed ramp. Loading a cartridge from a magazine into the chamber of a rifle or pistol requires a smooth feed ramp at the proper angle for the cartridge being used\u2014and there are times where a flat-point bullet won\u2019t feed properly, but a round-nosed bullet will. In those instances where a gunsmith has taken the time and effort to hand-polish a feed ramp, the improvement is quickly noticed. I\u2019ve seen a finicky handgun that had issues feeding flat-point bullets feed wadcutters after the feed ramp was \u201ctuned,\u201d if you will.<\/p>\n<p>Your handgun\u2014especially your defensive handgun\u2014needs to feed reliably each and every time. Not all guns are created equal, but with a bit of attention from a pair of competent hands, you can take your handgun to new performance levels.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Proper Hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Two days before the deer season opener\u2014when everybody and their brother is sighting in their hunting rifles\u2014I had a buddy stop by my house in a complete panic. His Savage rifle wouldn\u2019t chamber a cartridge properly: He couldn\u2019t close the bolt and had no idea why.<\/p>\n<p>Taking a quick look, I noticed that the rifle was relatively new and that much of the rust-preventative goo was still visible around the receiver. He admitted he hadn\u2019t cleaned the rifle well, and I immediately grabbed the jar of Hoppe\u2019s No. 9, a cleaning rod and a nylon cleaning brush. A bit of elbow grease and some dirty patches quickly sorted the chamber problem, and I then set to work on the barrel. This got me thinking about how dirty barrels, chambers and actions have been such an issue over the years.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning.jpg\" alt=\"gun-cleaning\" class=\"wp-image-289715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning.jpg\" alt=\"gun-cleaning\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gun-cleaning-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dirty bore or chamber can play a huge role in the degradation of accuracy, and have you wondering what happened to your favorite rifle or handgun. Keep things clean enough, but not overly clean, and you\u2019ll be a happy shooter. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The traditional jacketed bullet is probably the cleanest of the bullet designs yet can deposit enough copper jacket material to affect accuracy. Let it go too far and you can see a degradation of accuracy, as well as an increase in pressures generated. Lead bullets, while wonderfully affordable and easy to work with, can definitely foul a barrel to the point where things will go awry. And the lead-free monometal bullets can surely deposit enough copper alloy in the bore to cause accuracy and pressure issues.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m admittedly guilty of not cleaning my rifles and handguns as much as I should, but I\u2019ve also seen some guns that were an absolute mess in the bore department. A dirty bore can explain a bunch of mysterious performance issues, and while I\u2019m not going to advocate the ritualistic scrubbing of your barrel each and every time you shoot the gun, I\u2019ll advise you not to let it go too far. Many of my African hunting friends like to \u201cshoot the bore clean,\u201d meaning they don\u2019t clean at all, but that\u2019s a bit much for me.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve also seen an overly oiled bore cause a bullet to fly 6 inches high. I was on a safari in Zimbabwe after Cape buffalo with my then-new Heym Model 89B double rifle in .470 Nitro Express. I\u2019d spent considerable time developing a handload for the gun, and it was printing a pair of shots (one from each barrel) in a group just under 2 inches at 100 yards.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4.jpg\" alt=\"rifle-accuracy-4\" class=\"wp-image-289716\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4.jpg\" alt=\"rifle-accuracy-4\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289716\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-accuracy-4-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The author checking zero on his Heym 89B in .470NE at the bench in Zimbabwe. The oil in the bore caused the shots to print much higher than desired. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We checked the rifles on the first morning of the hunt, and I was crushed when I heard my professional hunter tell me the two shots were 5 inches apart and equally high of the bull\u2019s-eye. It then dawned on me that I\u2019d cleaned and oiled the barrels and the bore for the trip across the pond. That resulted in higher pressures and erratic accuracy. Once I\u2019d fouled the bore and shot the oil out of it, the next two shots performed just as they had at home.<\/p>\n<p>Cleanliness is important, but there can be too much of a good thing. I like to clean my rifle in the off-season and shoot it just before the hunt, leaving a bit of fouling in the bore for optimum field performance.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Just Calm Down!<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Another question I often field is why boat-tail bullets don\u2019t give the same level of accuracy as flat-base bullets. This isn\u2019t uncommon, especially when comparing groups that were fired at a 100-yard target.<\/p>\n<p>Assuming that the rifle has no other issues, boat-tail bullets will show their advantages outside of 250 or 300 yards, as they\u2019ll take longer to \u201csettle down\u201d than a flat-base bullet. Think of it as a spinning top; you start the top spinning and it appears to wobble slightly, then it settles into a near perfectly concentric rotation.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon to see the boat-tail bullets print a tighter group\u2014when measured in minutes of angle\u2014at 300 yards than they do at 100 yards. While this difference might not be enough to ward a hunter off using boat-tail bullets at woods distances, it\u2019s true that a boat-tail bullet shows almost no advantage inside of 250 yards. And, as some bullet companies will point out, a flat-base bullet is a perfectly viable choice for common hunting distances.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-77\" class=\"wp-image-289717\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-77\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289717\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ruger-77-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The author\u2019s Ruger 77 .22-250 Remington has a marked affinity for flat-base bullets, like the Sierra 52-grain MatchKing shown here. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Should the crown of your rifle\u2019s barrel have even the slightest imperfection, you may find the rifle shows a definite preference for flat-base bullets. I have a .22-250 Remington in a Ruger Model 77 that could probably benefit from being re-crowned, as the rifle simply loves the 53-grain Sierra MatchKing flat-base bullet, but it struggles with many of the boat-tail bullets. While I should have the barrel\u2019s crown reworked, the gun does everything I want it to with that Sierra bullet. But if you see issues with boat-tail bullets, have your gunsmith take a good look at your rifle\u2019s crown.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve seen many shooters send dozens of bullets downrange in search of zero, constantly making riflescope adjustments as the point of impact shifts up and down, left and right, with little success.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s all agree that, while riflescopes are better than they\u2019ve ever been, not all riflescopes are created equal. The most common adjustments will read \u201cone click \u00bc-MOA\u201d or \u201cone click \u00bc at 100 yards,\u201d but when put into practical application, that\u2019s anything but true. The adjustment springs of lesser riflescopes might not give \u00bc-MOA movement, and I\u2019ve struggled with scopes that move closer to \u00bd MOA \u2026 and others closer to 1\/8 MOA.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope.jpg\" alt=\"rifle-scope, boat-tail bullets\" class=\"wp-image-289718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-672x420.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope.jpg\" alt=\"rifle-scope, boat-tail bullets\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-289718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-696x435.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/rifle-scope-672x420.jpg 672w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Leupold VX-6HD specially calibrated for the trajectory of the 6.8 Western cartridge. If this scope didn\u2019t have the precise adjustments it possesses, the turret would be useless. <em>Photo: Massaro Media Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The financial savings of a cheaper scope with weaker springs can quickly be offset by the cost of the ammunition spent chasing zero, so I\u2019ve personally made a definite shift to more dependable optics, and that generally means spending more money. Proper, reliable reticle adjustment is paramount for the target shooter who enjoys shooting at longer ranges and for those hunters who prefer to dial for their elevation adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>The best rifle in the world is useless if the aiming system won\u2019t hold zero or take adjustment properly. As with any piece of gear, I recommend you purchase the best riflescope you can afford. Structural stability, clarity of image and confidence in adjustment will not only save ammunition, but it\u2019s very comforting to dial for a 2-MOA adjustment and see exactly that movement on the target.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Editor&#8217;s Note:<\/strong>\u00a0This article originally appeared in the February 2022 issue of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gundigestservice.com\/customer\/subscribe.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gun Digest the Magazine<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><strong>More On Long-Range Shooting:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-36\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<hr\/>\n<div>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/storm-tactical-target-pack?path=5\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignright size-medium wp-image-271572\" src=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\"\/><\/a>NEXT STEP: Download Your <strong>Free<\/strong> Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack<\/h3>\n<p> <strong>62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills &#8211; Rifle Range in YARDS<\/strong> This impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains <a href=\"https:\/\/gundigest.com\/storm-tactical-target-pack?path=5\"><strong>62 printable targets<\/strong><\/a> for rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes are in MOA. Ideal for long-range shooting!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter and we&#8217;ll send your print-at-home target pack right away.<\/strong> Just enter your email address below. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- AI CONTENT END 1 --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Solutions to common accuracy and reliability problems that often seem inexplicable. I was sitting at the shooting bench with my shiny new (new to me, anyway) Winchester Model 70 and driven to a new level of frustration. I had purchased the best scope and mounts I could afford, and while they might not have been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tactical-gear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=422"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":424,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422\/revisions\/424"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tactical-dailynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}