Sighting in Barrel heat

Hey,

So a quick question: When you guys sight in, how many rounds do you fire before you let it rest? groups of 3? single?

I have a new model 11 in .308 that I am going to sight in this week (glass is Leupold VX2 3-9x40 with Warne Rings) and I was wanting to get an idea as to how hot you guys let them get. I have had problems sighting in rifles in the past (shooting 3 shot strings) and having the zero wander when cooled to ambient temperatures. This happened really badly with a remington 700adl in 243. When cooled the rifle would shoot 8"high and 3"left then walk in to zero when warmed up again. I sold it. I am looking for something to be fairly consistent between cold bore and 3rd shot (I am willing to accept 2" groups of 3 shots). Any tips or suggestions?

--Sageratslayer

Since you are looking for consistent shots for 3 rounds, that is what I would shoot
I normally shoot 3 and then let it cool with about 30 secs to 1 minute between the 3 shots (sporter barrels)
Jack

In my opinion it can depend on the barrel material, diameter and the cartridge.

Its a sporter barrel .308.

What sort of variation do you experience with the barrel from cold bore to the 3rd shot? Should groups be within the 1-2" range, or will it start to open up by the 2nd shot? My only other sight in experiences with a savages have been: 1.) a sporter 110E in 30-06 that held 5 corelokts in a 1.5 inch group as fast as I could leaf them off and 2.) a 12fv in 223 that shoots boring .5 and .4 groups all day no matter how warm I get it.

Are my experiences with wandering zero due more to scope problems ( I had a buckmasters on the 243 that went back to the dealer because of zero wander) or due to barrel heat?

--SRS

I typically shoot 5 shot strings in cartridges up to 7 mag. Shoot 5 and then let it cool. Never had any issues at all with cold bore zeros or wandering.

5 shots as well here.
Ive never had an issue with "zero wondering"?.......nor cold bore shots.
If anything?......IMHO......its the load thats wondering

Sporter barrel deer rifles are designed to shoot cold.
If it burns your hand it's too hot.

I got a good deal on some .308 ammo here in Oregon... 2 boxes of factory Remington ultra bonded for $38.00. Tomorrow morning I'll hit the range before it gets to 99 degrees.

I never got my barrels hotter than I could hold my hand on for a long period of time, which brings the question: how hot is too hot? Should I shoot 1 then wait a half an hour?

I'm beginning to suspect my old scope (the only commonality between my previous .243 follies) is the issue. I will send it back to Nikon, and hope that the Leupold VX2 works better on the new .308.

I'll keep you updated.

--SRS