AdamT
Well-known member
I recently purchased a Remington 700 VSSF in 220 Swift. I installed a new Trigger Tech trigger, scoped it with a VX-2 6-18x40 AO with LRV reticle in Talley mounts, and swapped the original stock out for a wood one off a BDL varmint (I just like wood stocks).
The rifle came with some hand loads done up by the previous owner, and some of the Remington 50gr green tip premier varmint ammo. I purchased 100 rounds of Nosler factory ammo with 50 gr ballistic tips and also 2 boxes of factory Federal loaded with 40 gr Nosler ballistic tips.
When I lined it up originally, I could not get it to shoot consistently to my likings. I only used the factory Nosler ammo with 50 BTs since I had the most of this. I eventually quit, came home, cleaned it, and decided to re visit it another day. In the meantime, I got to wondering if it was a stock related issue, action screw torque issue, scope issue, etc.
Well today I took it out and decided to shoot 3 rounds of each ammo type I had before making any equipment changes or taking anything off and re installing. My plan was to let it sit with an open bolt for 5 minutes between each shot, and run a bore snake through it after each 3 shot group.
First 3 shots were factory Nosler w/ 50gr BTs. Vertical string getting lower each time.
Next 3 shots were factory Federal w/ 40gr BTs. Not too good, starting to lose faith.
Next 3 shots were factory Remington w/ 50gr green tips. Tightened up and starting to think there might be hope.
Last 4 shots, hand loaded rounds from previous owner using 40gr Varmageddons with Varget powder and BR2 primers. I knew I pushed the 2nd shot left, so I decided I would shot an extra if the 3rd one was anywhere close to the 1st shot. Well shots 1, 3, and 4 made a really darn good group. Thankfully the previous owner included the load data with the shells, and hopefully I’ll be able to replicate the ammo and results.
I made some final fine adjustments and called it good for the day. My setup was target at 100 yards using a lead sled DFT on the tailgate of my truck.
Heading out of the field where I had been shooting, I spotted a groundhog run for the fence row. I slowed down and shut the truck off and waited for it to come back out. About 10-15 minutes later, I saw it start to come back out into the open. I reach to the back seat and got a shell out of my range bag, and loaded it into the rifle. Flopped a wedge bag on the drivers window and put it in the scope. I couldn’t get it to stand up, and it was quartering away at a down hill angle. Held at the base of the head near the neck and squeezed one off. Watching the explosion of insides a Swift causes through the scope is something to behold. I think I said “Oh my” out loud as it happened and kind of laughed to myself.
It was a good way to end the day shooting before heading in to eat with family.
The rifle came with some hand loads done up by the previous owner, and some of the Remington 50gr green tip premier varmint ammo. I purchased 100 rounds of Nosler factory ammo with 50 gr ballistic tips and also 2 boxes of factory Federal loaded with 40 gr Nosler ballistic tips.
When I lined it up originally, I could not get it to shoot consistently to my likings. I only used the factory Nosler ammo with 50 BTs since I had the most of this. I eventually quit, came home, cleaned it, and decided to re visit it another day. In the meantime, I got to wondering if it was a stock related issue, action screw torque issue, scope issue, etc.
Well today I took it out and decided to shoot 3 rounds of each ammo type I had before making any equipment changes or taking anything off and re installing. My plan was to let it sit with an open bolt for 5 minutes between each shot, and run a bore snake through it after each 3 shot group.
First 3 shots were factory Nosler w/ 50gr BTs. Vertical string getting lower each time.
Next 3 shots were factory Federal w/ 40gr BTs. Not too good, starting to lose faith.
Next 3 shots were factory Remington w/ 50gr green tips. Tightened up and starting to think there might be hope.
Last 4 shots, hand loaded rounds from previous owner using 40gr Varmageddons with Varget powder and BR2 primers. I knew I pushed the 2nd shot left, so I decided I would shot an extra if the 3rd one was anywhere close to the 1st shot. Well shots 1, 3, and 4 made a really darn good group. Thankfully the previous owner included the load data with the shells, and hopefully I’ll be able to replicate the ammo and results.
I made some final fine adjustments and called it good for the day. My setup was target at 100 yards using a lead sled DFT on the tailgate of my truck.
Heading out of the field where I had been shooting, I spotted a groundhog run for the fence row. I slowed down and shut the truck off and waited for it to come back out. About 10-15 minutes later, I saw it start to come back out into the open. I reach to the back seat and got a shell out of my range bag, and loaded it into the rifle. Flopped a wedge bag on the drivers window and put it in the scope. I couldn’t get it to stand up, and it was quartering away at a down hill angle. Held at the base of the head near the neck and squeezed one off. Watching the explosion of insides a Swift causes through the scope is something to behold. I think I said “Oh my” out loud as it happened and kind of laughed to myself.
It was a good way to end the day shooting before heading in to eat with family.
