I have a .25-06 in a Savage and that thing is a tack driver. At least shooting the remington core-loks. I haven't shot anything else out of it.

 

In a short answer, Yes, you can get that much variation with different loads/bullets. Did you properly break the rifle in when you got it? (Cleaning after every shot for the first 20 shots, then after every 3 shots for another 20? There are several variations/theories on how to do this and the best #)
Try a few different brands of ammo and see what happens. The premium high priced ammo might not always shoot the best either. Also, even though your scope was mounted by a gunsmith, check all the screws to make sure everything is tightened down properly. He might have missed something.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out. If you don't get it figured out before your hunt, use the Rem 700 you are confident in!

 

You'd be surprised at how much variation there is between different bullet/load combinations. Some rifles just like certain bullets and don't like others. If you load your own, I'd recommend starting out with a couple different bullets and working some loads to see what it likes. Ironically I've found some of the less expensive bullets have been the most accurate in my 270 (Sierra Pro Hunters and Hornady SP's). If you don't load, pick up a couple of boxes of different ammo. You should see your rifle shooting some better than others. Also....make sure your scope is tight and you're getting a solid rest and a good squeeze on your trigger.

 

There are many other contributing factors besides the loads and scope that can effect accuracy and it may be those other factors causing those groups. Accuracy is trial and error and finding out what modifications your rifle likes or doesnt like. A few examples would be the trigger, bedding, floating (or not), barrel crown, etc, etc, etc........ I wish it just came down to the loads and scope everytime.... But tht doesnt mean you cant start there.

CB

 

loose mounts/screws, steady rest.
I have had 3 of the 25-06s and never expirienced that type of accuracy [lack thereof].
Winchester makes the 90/120 gr exclusive bullet for the 25-06. Those usually work quite well, as do the Remington Core lokts. My favorite load is Hornadys 117 Boattail soft point. Its a great long range load and works excellent on white tails. Those bullets I also handload and they work wonderful with AA-3100 [now XMR-3100] and some other powders as well. Also the 75 V-max over a load of the 3100 powder works exceptionally well for long distance varminting for prairie dogs,coyotes and fox.

 

i've seen muzzleloaders that will go from moa to 4-5" groups with load changes.

but with a centerfire rifle, i'd expect something other than ammo if i was getting 4-5" groups.

 

Any pattern to the groups or totally scattered?

 

Thanks for all the thoughts.

In response to the cleaning for break-in, correct, There were about 20 different suggestions out there from the final finish system, to "don't bother for the first 20". I went with once before shooting, once after the first, and then after each three through the end of the box. I got into the second box

Regarding the rest, I had an MTM adjustable rest on a steel table that is anchored into cement. I shot the .270 from the same rest and put 5 shots into about 1-1/2 center to center so I don't think that's an issue.

I would not count out "operator error", but I did have another shooter send a few downrange and they didn't do appreciably better. (He was dialing in a .243 and was shooting well.)

The trigger do have work right away out of the box. It was terrible, which was a bummer for a brand new gun that was not exactly bargain basement. Poking around the Internet it seems like that is not too uncommon, thought a buddy's vanguard was great. Mine could not just be adjusted by the pull and sear screws on the trigger. The gunsmith had to clean it up.

I did check the screws on the rings, and they were fairly tight. I could probably tighten them more, but without a "torque driver", I would just be guessing and that might be worse. I did not think that scope ring screws were supposed to be extremely tight.

Halfway through shooting, I did take the action out of the stock, and put it back in. I was trying to change one thing at a time to see if I could find any appreciable change and did not really see one with this.

I am really hoping that the ammo change will help. I just was not sure that much variation could be possible because of ammo, It really seems to be spraying.

The rifle is brand new, so I would not think a crown/barrel issue would be there. (??)

Slug Gunner has it right. If I can't get this figured out today or tomorrow, the gun may just stay right in the case and the .270 will be the only one that would go out in the field for pursuit of game. It's my fault for buying a new rifle within a month of a hunt.

 

Check all the above first, then, remount scope, bases and rings WITH LOCTITE, and try again. I have a 17HMR that doesn't like Vmax bullets. I get about the same size groups you're talking about. I tried TNT's (hollowpoints) and I'm getting 1/4" groups . Go figure.
If I plan on using factory ammo, I buy as many different types, weights, manufacturers, etc, I can afford, and see what shoots best.

 

Have you checked the barrel float? Take a slip of paper and run it between bbl and forend all the way back to the forward action screw area. It should not rub or bind - if it does you have contact and the stock needs to be relieved.

Another obvious easy check is to inspect the bbl crown for dings.

I would not do anything else until you have tried 2-3 different types of ammo with different bullet weights. If they all give 4" groups then you have a problem for certain.

Then the first thing I would do as suggested is remove and remount the scope, rings, and bases with loctite.

Don't worry about not breaking in the bbl - that is NOT going to make 1" groups into 5" or even 1.5". It may be an issue for match guns but is far oversold on hunting rifles. I usually do it but it really is not necessary. Far more important is to clean the copper out after the first 20 - 40 rounds. New bbls often foul copper fast and if you don't get it out it will tend to get worse and be much harder to clean later. Sweets, CR-10, etc. with ammonia will do the trick; follow instructions and make sure you get it all out or it will pit the bore.

 

I too was going to suggest barrel contact to the stock. I can't count the times that I have found that problem on new rifles.

Quality control has sure gone downhill when it comes to that one small problem. Normally it's the first thing I now always check on a rifle when I get one.

 

Back from WY-

Here is some update:
I went to the range with 110gr Accubonds. No better than the BST.

The 120gr Positive Expanding points shot quite a bit better. About 2" groups in 3 consecutive 3 shot groups and the trigger is not quite right yet.

Regarding the barrel float though, please help me a bit with this. Both the Weatherby stock (Bell & Carlson Medalist ??) and a XCR stock ( Hogue??)have a of pair pressure points back just a bit from the forend built right into the stock. ( Not fully free-floated). I don't think you recommending to free float at this point, just check the rest?

The Weatherby barrel does contact the stock on the left side both at the very tip, and somewhat farther back. (Not the pressure points) I tried to slide a dollar bill on the stock with it tightly wrapped.

This is seeming like I should see about taking this into a Weatherby service center and have them work the stock?

(Re: the WY trip, three of the four of us tagged out on Muley and Antelope, and the fourth guy took a real nice Antelope. My buddy took one hell of a deer on our first time going for Muleys. 29" inside spread, one of the brow tines might not be quite an inch, so I guess it would be 15points. If it makes it, I guess it would be 16 points, ( 9x7) . I should have pics tomorrow).

 

look forward to the pics. I would contact the manufacturer and ask what they think. They should be able to correct the problem.

 

Back from WY-
(Re: the WY trip, three of the four of us tagged out on Muley and Antelope, and the fourth guy took a real nice Antelope. My buddy took one hell of a deer on our first time going for Muleys. 29" inside spread, one of the brow tines might not be quite an inch, so I guess it would be 15points. If it makes it, I guess it would be 16 points, ( 9x7) . I should have pics tomorrow).

Well, that go the blood flowing! I'm heading out there next Tuesday! Congrats!

 

Here's my buddy's Mule Deer:

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Good luck QuakrTrakr.

 

Real- I'm almost as giddy as a school girl!
Thanks for the high blood pressure! Great deer!!

 

Awesome Real....you forgot the details of the hunt though!