Accurate Rifles????

WyomingSwede

In ST magazine this month, Dick Metcalf states" Expert rifleman have long noted that mediocre rifles shoot everything about the same. Exceptional rifles are picky. By that they mean that the precision tolerances and quality fitting that go into building a quality gun means that the rifle will be sensitive to slight variations in the ammo it is fed. My Tikka is picky. With load it likes, it shoots one hole. With the loads it doesnt like, well ...."
Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Is it mediocre to have a rifle that shoots everything well? Is it exceptional to have a rifle that performs well only with one type of ammo? Whats your opinion??? Interesting statement. swede

WyomingSwede

JustC

Couldn't agree more. Yeah, yeah, I have some of the "brush busters" or guns that are just for sitting in the rain or taking out in the salt water environment, but my "babys" are picky. When you true an action, square a bolt face, install a heavy SS custom barrel and trigger, bed the action and build epoxy pillars, you end up with a picky gun. BUT, when you find the load it wants, why shoot anything else? If it is a one hole shooter, even if it's a 300mag, if it is accurate enough to varmint hunt, hunt with it. I don't understand how some folks try to develop loads for the entire range of weights of bullets in one caliber and then say, I shoot the 100 gr for this, the 150gr for that, and the 200gr for those. B.S. !!!! only one of those bullets groups up right at long distance, the 100yd test is insufficient, now 300yds........that seperates the loads into those that don't work, and the ONE that does. Bullet weight becomes less of an issue when you can confidently place a bullet exactly where you want it,.....every time! Just my .02

I do still shoot some box stock guns with factory loads though.

A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.

He Dog

Seems to me every rifle I have has favorite ammo. Generally some Federal or Hornady Light Magnum round. I have a couple which are just not minute of angle rifles with anything, but most do best with one round and ok with everything else. That does not include any custom rilfes, but does include a couple of Rugers, a Rem, A Win, a Steyer, an older H & R, and a 99 Savage. In some cases, like .257 Roberts, the shape of the bullet probably makes the difference.

PJ

My Ruger #1 loves Federal. Hates most everything else except my brother's 55 gr handloads.

WyomingSwede

Thanks for the replies. I dont disagree with developing a favorite load for your rifle. I know that there are some all around loads also. I do disagree with calling a rifle that shoots everything well mediocre.

Take a 30-06 for example. Bullet weights range from 100 gr for varmints to 220 gr for moose and buffalo. Is your 150 gr round perfect for all? Maybe...or maybe not. The 30-06 and 7mm are versatile calibers due to their range of bullet weights. I cannot justify calling a rifle mediocre because it shoots all bullet weights well.

I contend that a rifle that shoots all bullets well would be more valuable than a "picky" rifle simply because you are not as limited. Like it or not...it is hard to find an all around cartridge of one weight. Otherwise the ammo companies would only be selling one cartridge.
What do you think??? Beach, Clouder, Bullzeye??? Anyone??
My $.02 swede

WyomingSwede

daddo

All of my rifles have a favorite load and I have spent considerable time finding that load. The only one that doesn't seem to care much is the 12 ga.

robsguns

I dont believe I have a picky gun. I have a lot of them and they all shoot well with most anything. I dont evaluate accuracy like some varmint shooter going for 300 yd. shots plus though. So long as it shoots 1-1.5" groups at 100yds. I dont complain at all. I dont shoot at small stuff, and if I do shoot at small stuff, its not at even 100 yds. I dont shoot as well as my guns do either, unless its from a bench, and who hunts from a bench here, besides serious varmint hunters, like prarie dog hunters? Anyway...all my guns are good shooters based on what I deem good, and with everything I put in them. The only gun I have to watch is my Swedish Mauser, and its not because its a fantastic shooter, its because it hates certain ammo, but really likes my handloads.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

hunter280man

I'd have to say I've been lucky so far, my most accurate rifle is my Savage 223 it shoots almost anything well but my handloads with a-max bullets excell.

My deer rifle is a model six in the best calibre available any where, "my oppinion" .280 It seems to like the nosler ballistic tip in 140 gr. Won't hardly group a hornady or a speer under 2in. @ 200yds.



Though I was born to royalty, I was snatched at birth, so treat me as the noble I am!!!

groundhog devastation

Using the neighbors computer again!! Mine should be back next week, if not I'll go buy one myself and only use corparate Americas computer for corparate America,s stuff!! As far as the rifle goes, there are few and far between that like whatever you feed them. Have been fortunate to own a couple. One was a 22-250 Varmint Rem. 700. Glass bedded from the old school that had the beddding from one end to the other, 45 grain to 63 grain would shoot wonderfully! Sold it when accuracy got worse than .60!! If I'd known then what I know now would probably still own it!! The other is (currently in the truck) a 700 in 222.Mag. Will shoot varmints eyes out with 40-55 grain bullets all day long!!! I know some of you are going to respond to this!! Same POI at 100 yds! They are few and far between!! Till I get up and running again, Shoot straight and have fun!! GHD

4wheeler

It has already been determined that the AR-15 is the best shooting rifle,stir,stir,stir,stir,stir

"It was like that when I got here".