Scattered groups at 200

[jlm342000]

I have been shooting consistent .5" groups @100 yds but cant get a group at 200. Groups at 2 are scattered and inconsistent about 2' at best. I am shooting a heavier bullet than I ever have ( 180 gr. Nosler BT 43.6 gr Varget, rem 700 varmint sps .308 26" barrel 1/12 twist) and was wondering is it possible my bullet could be stable at 100 but not 200??? Baffled

 

[Ol` Joe]

Likely wind. A 180gr BT at 2600 fps will have almost 3" of drift at 200 yds with a 10 mph cross wind.

 

[jlm342000]

there was a very strong cross wind today, if the wind speed was variable that could account for the spread in my groups at 200 couldnt it?

 

[arizona98tj]

It sure could. I assume you meant a 2" group and not a 2' (foot) group?

 

[jlm342000]

whoops, yes 2", hope this wind dies down soon so I can see if thats my problem. Deer season starts saturday, need to get dialed in

 

[wanderinwalker]

Definitely sounds like wind affecting your group size, no question.

Also, keep in mind that your cone of fire is not perfectly geometric as ranges increase. A 1/2" 100-yard group doesn't always directly relate to a 1" 200-yard group. You could see a 3/4" group at 200, or a 1.5" group.

 

[Abndoc]

Minor imperfections are amplified with distance. This can apply to mechanical things such as an inconsistant load as well as shooter factors such as trigger control and breathing. The ability to shoot .5 inch groups at 100 yards does not transalate to for sure 1 inch groups at 200. This is why shooting well at long range can be so hard.

 

[JDGray]

1moa with a hunting bullet aint bad

 

[USSR]

jlm342000,

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Accuracy at longer distances is not linear (i.e. shooting good groups at 200 yards is more than twice as hard as 100 yards), and 1MOA at 200 yards is nothing to sneeze at.

Don

 

[jlm342000]

Thanks, I will keep that in mind, lol. I am shooting a minute a deer now so I will try to relax. Had no idea that 180 gr bullet would move that much at 200 with a 10-15 mph wind