What results should I realistically expect

[CJK8]

I bought a Remington 700 SPS Tactical in .223 with 20" bbl and 1/9 twist. Based on everyone I spoke to, I was told I could easily get 1 inch groups at 100 yards with factory cheap ammo like AE, PMC, etc.. Took it out with PMC, AE, and Remington UMC and got 1.5 inches once with PMC. Got more like 2 to 3 inches the rest of the time with the rest of the stuff. I was pretty depressed with these results and prety much decided it was time to take up reloading. Then a week later, I tried two 5 shot groups of Fiocchi 55 gr FMJ and one 5 shot group Fiocchi 50 gr V-Max and got .770, .830, .740 CTC groups, respectively. Eliminating one flier in each group, I got groups of .590, and .665, and .500, respectively. Now I am wondering if reloading will improve upon those results and what I should expect after getting everything dialed in.

Now the Mini 14 I have doesn't shoot with a darn, and it is one of thew newer ones. What can I expect with reloads there?

Thanks.

 

[JDGray]

My LTR .223 1:9" prefers 69gr SMKs, didn't like the lighter bullets much. It shot about an inch with 60gr and lighter, but prefers the 69s (.5" avg). I'm talking handloads however, its never seen factory ammo. Reloading is the only way!

 

[Walkalong]

Mini 14's are not very accurate. They are very, very dependable, but are nowhere near a target gun. If you get 2" groups with it, consider yourself lucky.

99% of "fliers" are not fliers, just missed shots. You never learn anything from just calling it a flier.

 

[cfullgraf]

All three of my Remington bolt rifles, two 700's (17 Rem and 221 Rem) and an XR-100 (223 Rem), usually shot larger than 1" until I replaced the triggers and did some stock work. I floated the barrels on the XR-100 and 17 Rem and glass bedded the stock on the 221 Remington.

Now, they regularly shoot sub 1 inch groups as long as I do my part.

So, just 3 data points.

Your milage may vary.

 

[Blackrock]

Picked up a Savage Edge in .223 with a 1 in 9 twist. Gave it a trigger job and a 6.5xx50 scope and some PMC 55g loads for it. Took it out and shot 1" groups and after some handloading with 40g Vmax got it down to a tight 3/4" @ 100 yards.

Went up to SE Colorado and peeled a lot of Pdogs off their mounds with it.
Rifle $304
Scope $130

Takes some time and care but most any good quality new bolt rifle can be tuned in to shoot inch minus groups.