What to do now? Winchester 70 Stealth II in .223WSSM

[Nickodemus]

Hello, I got a decent deal on this rifle new in box, and since I am set up to reload, I didn't mind the less then common caliber. I was hoping I could get a tackdriver. Winchester Model 70 Stealth II .223WSSM with Burris scope

I took it to the range, boresighted my scope on a target at 50 yards. Half the time I couldn't hit paper. Normally with my other rifles, sitting on a bench with sandbags to support the gun, shooting like that, I am within an inch at that distance. I even had another guy who was shooting well put a few through just to make sure I wasn't somehow having a really bad day.
Scope and mount are solid. I would get what looked like a group, but it was unrepeatable, I walked my scope adjustments around to try and get on paper with a constantly unprecise point of impact for about 80 rounds :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

After I left I took the rifle to a shop and the guy looked down the bore with some sort of optic device he slid down the barrel. He said I had a lot of copper build up. Then he sold me some sweets 7.62 cleaner and said to clean it then use that after every shot for the next 10 and see if it fixes it. He explained that thier are toolmarks inside that scratch the bullet until they are worn down, and this throws off the shots for the first few, then supposedly the copper buildup contributed to my problem.
I cleaned the bore with the sweets, and some Rem stuff, and have not been back to the range yet to see if it works.
I guess my post is a little premature, but do you think this is what's going on and will it fix it. I have seen a lot of whining about this particular rifle on the internet (after I bought it of course) and just wanted to get some current opinions.
Since most of the time my group was >1' I wonder if I had some incompatabilty with bullet weight and barrel twist & length. Any info you could provide to suggest projectiles when reloading the .223WSSM for a 26" barrel with 1:10 twist would be appreciated.

The day at the range I fired factory Winchester Varmints GXP1 Ballistic Silvertip 223 WSSM 55 GR.

Does anyone own an accurate and precise one of these rifles? I would like to buy better glass for it and also set up to reload enough to shoot out the barrel, but I do not want to invest in that if this gun is somehow functionally flawed.

 

[Eightball]

Just so you know, be careful what you do with it. Due to velocity from that round in that rifle, you may well wind up burning through your barrel before you intend to; IIRC, it's about 2,000 fps faster than other "small-end" centerfire cartridges.

That's all I can really say on it. Sorry this wasn't more helpful.

 

[Nickodemus]

That's alright thanks for your input. If I can get it to shoot I am planning on loading it to a slightly lower velocity.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Try another scope.
I had a brand new scope once that wouldn`t track properly right from the box. (No names but it wasn`t a "cheapy" and was fixed/replaced) Just because it looks OK, and is new, doesn`t mean it is working right.
The fact you tried to adjust it for 80 rds and couldn`t get it right leads me to believe this is your problem.

 

[Hazzard]

I'd second trying another scope. I've had new ones that would do the same. Tried another, and suddenly, the groups were where they were supposed to be accuracy wise. Needless to say, the new scope was sent back for warranty work.

 

[Nickodemus]

I will be very frustrated if I drop the money for a new scope that only confirms the rifle is junk. I guess I could always try to return the scope then? I bet I could probably mount another scope that works on a different rifle of mine, just to check and see at the range. I gotta go take a look at the rings...

 

[Ol` Joe]

Before I bought a new one I`d try sending the one you have back to Burris for a check up. You also might ask a buddy if you can try a scope of his while you wait.