Need help, bullets all over the place.....

[quarterbore]

So my buddy just started reloading for his model 12 bvss. I went over to his house and helped him get everything set up. We went to the range today, and his reloads are shooting all over the place from his gun. Some are shooting fairly accurately, producing good groups. Some are not hitting the paper way off to one side or high, and some are hitting the ground in front on the target. I suspected something was either off with his rifle or his reloads, so I shot 2 groups of 4 out of my rifle and they shot decent, grouping about 1.25". He then shot some factory ammo I had brought along in his gun and he was shooting 1.5" groups. His one target he shot at 12 times, and only 7 bullets hit the paper. For the 7 that hit, the group was about 1.5". There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to where and how his bullets are shooting, and I'm completely baffled. Everything was shot at 100 yards off a sturdy bench and sandbags.

[tufrthnails]

Just curious but what cal and recipe? I am just getting into reloading, but havn't experienced anything but good results so far.

[quarterbore]

I'm sorry, 223 caliber. He's using H335 I believe, not sure on the charge weight. I have never had anything like this happen before either.

[scope eye]

Man that has scope or mounts written allover it, no loads can be that far off.

Dean

[tufrthnails]

yep like scope eye said swap scope and tourque mounts/rings.

[quarterbore]

That's what I originally thought, so I shot some of his rounds to prove it, which was on the right course. Then I had him shoot 8 rounds of factory ammo I had with me, and his gun shot under 1.5". Threw my whole theory out the window.....

[tufrthnails]

Is this an AR or bolt gun?

[tufrthnails]

when you say it shoots a 1.5" group is it the same POI or do the groups move?

[quarterbore]

Same POI depending on whether it's the factory ammo or reloads. When they do hit the paper with the reloads, they all hit within a 1.5" circle. Both rifles are bolt action, his is a model 12 bvss and mine is a remington 700 sps varmint

[tufrthnails]

For S&G I would start with the easily controlled things swap scope, check action screws. Then look at reloads themselves. Did he clean the primer pocket, is he using good primers, are all loads consistent. I am just getting into this if you do figure it out be sure to post up.

[scope eye]

Open up the remaining loads, and look for consistency, what bullets and load is it, and what twist barrel is it and what condition is the throat in,

Dean

[quarterbore]

Bullets are 55gr spire points, I believe the bvss is a 1-9 twist barrel. His rifle has less than 400 rounds through it, he's had it less than a year. What's really throwing me off is that they shot fine through my rifle.

[quarterbore]

There aren't any remaining loads, I shot the last 8 through my rifle

[emtrescue6]

I tend to agree with Dean...scope/mounts...but I will also point out the obvious, this guy is a new reloader...it doesn't take a lot of variation in powder volume, seating depth, case prep to cause loads to be inaccurate...but it would take a lot to be that inaccurate, but not imposible.

[quarterbore]

He's using a rcbs chargemaster scale/dispenser. All rounds were consistent length. What's really throwing me is they shot fine through my gun, and my ammo shot fine through his.

[scope eye]

Give them some breathing room of the lands something like 50 thou, 10 thou at a time is not enough to make a difference, has the barrel ever been off.

Dean

[quarterbore]

Barrel has never been off, OAL is right at spec of 2.26

[scope eye]

Try and find out the charge weight, if he has a charge master it will be in the memory.

Dean

[quarterbore]

Charge weight was 25.3gr. His oal of his chamber found by seating a bullet in a once fired case is 3.33. He did try some rounds loaded at 3.305 first and those shot about the same. We have also tried the same length and powder charge with 2 different primers and it didn't make a difference.

[scope eye]

I know you know your stuff so sorry for the basic questions, but I have to say, I call uncle on this one.

Dean