How tight of groups are acceptable?

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DMAG

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I bought an old 1967 Remington 700 blued stainless 7 Mag several months ago that had a cracked stock. I put a zeiss scope on it and ordered a Boyds stock. I zeroed it today and shot 2 inch groups at 100 yards. We put about 20 rounds through it, not back to back, but couldnt tighten it up any more than that. The gun has had some work done to it. The barrel is cut down to 20 inches and has a muzzle break cut in the end. I was shooting Remington 150 grain core lokts and this was the best we could do.We dont have a lead sled, we were using towels to prop, but I felt fine shooting it. How tight are your acceptable groups?
 
With work like that and factory ammo id be satisfied no telling what the round count is on that rifle being that old also
 
2 inches at 100 yds is definately acceptable for hunting. I don't know that I would take much more than a 200 yd shot with it at game. If the barrel really is 20 inches, its much too short. 7mm mag is truly one of those rounds where you need at least a 24 inch barrel.
 
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I would have a gunsmith look at the gun. The muzzle could be damaged or out of round if it was cut down.

Also, cor lokt bullets aren't the most accurate bullets around. Try some ballistic tip or Accubonds bullets. In my experience, those bullets have been much more accurate.
 
I would be a nervous wreck with a rifle that shot two inches at 100 yards,,it is good enough to hunt with but it would get in my head,
 
My Savage 7mm Mag will cloverleaf 3 rounds at 100. 1/2" groups off Caldwell bags. Likely with the cut down barrel you should have it looked at by a gunsmith. Also what does the bore look like? Maybe an hour or 2 with JB Bore Paste would make a world of difference.
 
Can I have some recommendations for a gunsmith around cleveland/chattanooga area? I mainly bow hunt so I dont rifle hunt much at all, I would like to get it looked over though.
 
You cannot expect to put a rifle in a new stock and get good groups every time. They almost always have to have at least some minor fitting to get the best accuracy.
 
Yea try some other ammo, make sure the stock fits the metal properly, and shot off some sand bags. The groups will get smaller.
 
I know several people who are happy with a small paper plate size group at 100 yards.
BUT if the group isnt tight, I think I need to improve on it. Thats just me Good Luck
 
JimFromTN said:
2 inches at 100 yds is definately acceptable for hunting. I don't know that I would take much more than a 200 yd shot with it at game. If the barrel really is 20 inches, its much too short. 7mm mag is truly one of those rounds where you need at least a 24 inch barrel.
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YEA two in. group is not bad for a deer gun as most shots will be 50 yards or less in TN.
 
20 inch barrel on a 7mag will not be consistant, you need 4 more inches of barrel to get a full burn for that particular round. 2 inch groups are probably pretty good considering. That rifle would be a good canidate for rebarreling. Have yourself a nice flutted 26 incher put on there.
 
It all depends on where your hunting. If you are comfortable with the rifle and two in groups at a hundred yds and NOT taking shots over 200, should not be a problem.
If you are hunting fields or going to a different area where shots are much longer I would take a closer look at the situation and have it looked over.
That being said, I would get a box of Winchester supreme ballistic tips down the pipe and see if it doesn't tighten your groups....
 
DMAG said:
Can I have some recommendations for a gunsmith around cleveland/chattanooga area? I mainly bow hunt so I dont rifle hunt much at all, I would like to get it looked over though.
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JD Donahue is pretty good. He works out of Shooter's Depot. They can take your gun in and give you his number. He is as honest as they come. If he can help your rifle he will let you know.
 
I had a tang safety ruger 77 I bought new back in 1987 I tried every bullet and powder combo I could feel good about. That gun would consistently shoot 4to5 inch groups. That was not going to cut it. We parted ways a few years later.
 
^^^ I'd at least try some different ammo. I got lucky, my 7mm mag shoots 150 gr Core Lokts better than anything else i've tried. Suits me, much dang cheaper!
 
Try aheavier grain bullet like 160...I have a 7 wsm tried to sight it in with 150's and l could not get a group under 2-3". I switched to a 160 grains and the first two shots were a figure 8.. this is my second rifle that has done this to me...
 
I see a major Red FLag when you say you were shooting off of rolled up towels. 2 inch groups may be about the best you personally can do with such a relativley sloppy setup. Unless you get a more stable rest, you really don't know that 2 inches is the best the rifle can do.

After you try real sandbags, then if it doesn't shoot better, you should try at least a couple of other loads. Accuracy in some guns will vary a lot with different loads.

After saying all that, 2 inches is good enough if you are hunting mostly in the woods and even for 200yds or so out in fields.
 

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