My new Weatherby XXII (<300 rounds, Sightron 6-24x, BKL tall rings) is not grouping as well as I had hoped. So far I've used only Wolf MT ammo, but I intend to buy some other match grade products to see if this is an ammo-specific problem. I'm using a Sinclair front rest (#1 Protektor bag) and a Protektor rear bag, and often seeing 3 MOA groups at 50 yards. I'm pretty new to shooting anything other than pests or beer cans, but I still expect to be grouping better than this! I can often keep by Win 52C in a 5-shot clover leaf with the same setup & ammo.

Have I been spoiled by the Winchester, or are my expectations for the Weatherby reasonable?

At <300 rounds, it may be too soon to expect much. I never thought .22's needed much break-in however, and the Weatherby 50 yard test target showed a single ragged hole. Any thoughts on .22 break in?

For those of you with Weatherby rifles (Trent), have you found them to be picky about ammo? What works best for you?

Thanks!

jd

It should shoot a whole lot better than 3MOA at 50 yards.

I assume you know that the Weatherby is an Anschutz in disguise (I never thought about it too deeply, but I assume it's basically the model 1416 in a better designed, prettier stock)

Definitely try some different ammo first, but you should be under 1MOA for sure.

My 2 cents,

SteveM.

You may want to check your mounts, and box the scope to verify that they are good.
3MOA is too much even for a Weatherby...being a 52 lover I have throw that dig in.


Innocent

I also have a weatherby ,with RWS target rifle and i do my part at 40 meters 5 shots almost one hole.SK standard plus is not alot different but RWS shoots a little better.At 100 meters averages about 1.25" if i do my.I have a lepold 6-18 with fine crosshairs and a bkl 254 mount.

I agree with Mary, check your mounts! Also Anschutz started putting out a new design for the top of their 64 Action receivers last year. The new scalloped design has bumps that cause problems when you first try to zero your scope. The forward section is too high and typically the scope doesn't have enough elevation. I can see possible accuracy problems if the mounts aren't secure and positioned over one of the bumps. If your receiver looks like this:


You might have problems.

The older design doesn't have problems.


Steve

Two days ago I shot these three consecutive groups using RWS Target Rifle at 100 yards with my Weatherby XXII. My 4th group opened up to 1.002". (It was breezy)

I was getting good groups with Wolf MT as well. Some groups under an inch and some just over. The RWS was amazing to me. It is definitely going to be my match ammo.

Yes... the Weatherby/Anschutz can shoot. This was off a Protector rear bag and a ammo box with my coat draped over it for a front rest. (I don't have a front rest yet).

I glass bedded my Weatherby XXII a couple weeks ago. The inlet of my stock was not cut straight and my barrel was crooked in the barrel channel and was rubbing against the stock pretty bad. That certainly couldn't be helping anything, but I was getting good accuracy before. I bedded the receiver and was able to realign everything in the process. It was more for aesthetics than anything. Something you could look at.

Also, both my action screws are torqued to 20 inch pounds.

Hope that helps! I sure hope this is just a simple problem with a loose scope mount or something.

Thanks for all the input! The test target showed that the rifle will shoot- I've just got to diagnose why I'm not having the same results... My rings are secure on the old-style 64 action, but it didn't occur to me to check the action screws. Early next week I'll set up in the warehouse at work for an evening sighting session; this will eliminate environmental factors. It's entirely possible that my technique (or lack thereof) doesn't affect the heavy Win52 as much as it does the lighter XXII and it's just me. I'll provide an update after my next session, stay tuned!

jd

I think most of the bases have been covered here. Assuming your rest is solid and are you using good technique, the problem should be simple to diagnose.

I would check: 1)all screws for tightness; 2)either "box" the scope you are using, or put on a different scope; 3)check bedding. Is the forearm binding on the barrel?; 4)check muzzle crown. After firing a box of shells or so, look at the powder residue on the crown. Does it have a uniform pattern? If not, you may need to have a gunsmith touch up the crowning; 5)As a last resort, I would slug the barrel.

Sometimes it helps to have someone assist you to shoot/inspect the gun. They may notice something you have missed.

JD
Next time you come by the house to pick up your other toys, bring it over, and I will go thru it.
Evelio.

If there was a betting pool set up, I'd put my money on a problem with the scope. I've seen the 3moa, random shot, and unresponsive to adjustments a few times and its always attributed to a broken erector spring or loose ring/mount.

I think I'll split my bet on the scope and some part of the action or trigger touching some wood.

I agree with Jerry...the wood part is easy to check though.

Innocent

I just checked JJPL Weatherby, the top of the action is smooth like the 1712, no scallops on top, the rings are BKL high, and mounted properly, the barrel is free floated. The scope was checked in a colimator, and is working fine except it likes 3/4 revolution to top out, it will have to be shimmed to get to the rams. The targets fired shows a lateral dispersion of about 1" and up and down less than 3/8" giving a good indication of wind problem, which according to JJPL it was pretty windy during his second try, his first target showed some pretty nice groups. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the equipment, but not enought range time.
Evelio.

Evelio Mc Donald wrote:In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the equipment, but not enought range time.
Evelio.

Wow! Would you believe my Anschutz has the same problem! Is this a virus or something?