SW M15-223 grouping problem

[Escalonshooter]

I recently acquired a NEW SW M15-223-OR. Excited, I mounted a Leupold VX2 scope on it, laser bore sighted it and took it to the range. Much to my dismay, I could not get it to shoot consistent. If I was 6 inches high, I would adjust the scope to bring it down(only a few clicks at a time per each shot - 100 yard target), it would start to dial in, than all the sudden I would be 6 inches low. I would reverse the process than all the sudden be shooting high again.

Thinking that maybe it was mounts or something loose, I double checked everything and repeat the above with the same result. Ditto for the left to right adjustments. Still not able to get anything consistent. Thinking maybe it was my cheap milsurp ammo, I bought some federal. Same result. Ditto for normally laser precision reloads.

sooo...thinking maybe I had a bad scope, i put Magpul flip up sights on. Made sure everything was locktited in. Even used red locktite. Got the exact same results as above. I could not dial it in at 100 yards or 50 yards. At 25 yards, I could get 6 inch groups. Everything was shot from a rest. At 50 yards the groups were inconsistent at best. At a 100 yards, grouping of any kind was a matter of luck. Also, calm days, no cross winds.

I even tried letting the barrel cool between shots. I also tried 10 rounds fairly rapid and than trying to sight in thinking maybe the barrel needed to warm up.

I have also made sure everything on the gun is tight(Barrel was screwed in tight, gas tube ok etc).

Does anyone have any ideas?

Or is this gun doomed to be a short range plinker??

[azmick]

The barrel might be wandering but I'd look at the crown first and try a different weight bullet. What twist barrel?

[Escalonshooter]

The barrel might be wandering but I'd look at the crown first and try a different weight bullet. What twist barrel?

This is a brand new out of the box rifle. The barrel twist in 1 in 9"

I have tried 3 different rounds. mil-surp, Factory Federal and reloads.....all have the same result....

[azmick]

My 1-9 barrel like 55 gr bullets, 62s don't do worth a rip, 75s are horrible and 45s are pretty dismal too.
The crown may be messed up or the throat could be wacked. The throat is tough to check without a chamber cast, no, the empty case will tell you nothing on that.

[mmitch]

I'm with Mick on 55 grain for 1 in 9 twist.

Mike

[DocZeus]

Agreed, fellas. A 1-in-9 twist barrel likes 55-grain mil-spec FMJ's....

Escalonshooter, when you adjust your point of aim on your scope, I'd gently "tap" the side of the scope after your adjustment, possibly with a soft-plastic screwdriver handle, to "set" the reticle, then re-apply the caps before shooting. I've had a few Leupolds that like to "drift" the reticles when they're new and a little "sticky". I've never had to send one back yet, and the worst one I had (new VX-III 3.5x10x40), to get it to "settle down", I had to crank the reticles all the way in one direction, then all the way in the OTHER direction, then center the reticle back up, and restart zeroing. Guess it needed to traverse it's entire range to "free up" for smooth adjustments.

New scopes' reticles will stick sometimes, so before I'd send 'er back, I'd try that. Leupold has some of the best customer service in the business, so no worries there. Made in the U.S. of A.

DocZeus
AKA
David

[Escalonshooter]

Appreciate the feedback....I will try some 55gr bullets.....

The rifle does not have the scope on it....I moved to iron sights thinking the problem was the scope....still has the problem even with iron sights....will try the 55gr bullets....