40 grain zmax 223 grouping issue

[dustinhl]

First glad to have this forum going. Tried to upload a pic but it kept failing. Anyways my issue is I'm reloading 40 grain zmax for my 223. In every load I have done im having the same issue. Two shots will be touching or almost touching then one will be like 3/4 inch away either low left or low right. I've done 6 different powder loads, 3 each of benchmark and h335. The group's are all still like 3/4 moa but if you remove that flier it would be like 1/4 inch. My only theory is maybe that's the cold bore shot each time. Got to windy to test but my next idea to see if that is it would be to shoot once then wait for barrel to cool some and shoot again. But I wouldn't think in 3 shots it would make that big a difference.

Thanks for the input and any advice is appreciated.

[Wes Sage]

Try firing 5 rounds, then start the test. Space the shots out by 45-60 seconds each.
And how new is the rifle?
Who makes it?
Do you remove copper fouling every time you shoot? (It is a bad idea)

[dustinhl]

It's a brand new tikka t3x compact. During the break in I did remove the copper. But that's been 30 rounds or so ago so ive got around 60 rounds through the barrel total.

[Wes Sage]

Blow some 55gr FMJ plinker ammo through it, 100+ rounds, then see what it does. Don't remove the copper in the barrel

It's a brand new tikka t3x compact. During the break in I did remove the copper. But that's been 30 rounds or so ago so ive got around 60 rounds through the barrel total.

[JeffreyDeGraff]

Check the action screws also, make sure they are torqued down properly.


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[R2nailer]

So your compact model is a hunting rifle with a pencil barrel im guessing?
I bet its just gettin to hot.
I cant go 3 rds on my model 7 without guessing where the last onr went

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[JoeB]

These guys nailed it....action screws, barrel heat.
Is there a pressure point in the stock, towards the end of the barrel? Is the barrel free floating?
Are you consistently resting the stock at the same place?
Sounds like a heat or stock pressure issue.