Thread: .223 Remington help

Hi guys. Help please?!
I have a 2 x Tikka T3 Hunters; 1 x .223 with a 1-8" twist. Bought new.
1 x 7-08 bought used.
I cannot get the 223 to group well past 50metres!
History:
After deliberating between 22-250 and 223, I bought the 223 as my varminting rifle. The theory was that my deer shooting with 7-08, snap and long range, would improve as I shoot my almost exactly the same 223 much more often. Pretty much straight away, I took the 223 to Arthur Cleland to have it threaded for suppressor (not sure about workmanship quality of recrowning). Also bought a used MAE suppressor for it.
I've shot about 250 rounds through it now, so is well broken in. But while I get excited about shooting into the same hole at 25m, as soon as I extend the range beyond 60m, I can't even get the holes touching. And at 100m plus, it's a lottery as to how many inches from the bullseye the POI will be, especially between cold and hot barrel.

Naturally, I've tried multiple factory loads including Federal PS 55gn, Fusion 62gn, Belmont 55gn, Winchester 64gn, Winchester & Remington Match 55gn. Fusion 62gn was the most consistently accurate, but only at short ranges.

I'm wanting to shoot bunnies at 200m+, and surely this is possible with this rifle?

Remove suppressor...Same result (although very different POI)

Other shooters, all competent, same result.

Wondering if my scope was faulty, I've even bought a brand new Leupold VX3i 4-14 scope for it and mounted it carefully, ensuring she's tight..same result.

Before anyone asks the obvious question- can I shoot? A couple of weeks ago, I took both rifles out to my mate's benchrest range and shot 15mm groups with my 7-08 with a 3-9x scope at 160m. Yet I couldn't shoot better than 1.5" with the 223, using a 4-12x scope. Today I was shooting with the new Leupold on 14x, same result with 55, 62 & 64gn ammo.

Obviously reloading may help considerably, but what else may be wrong?

Bullet weights still too low for 1-8" twist?
Recrowning required?
Faulty receiver, need truing?
Is wind REALLY that big an influence on these high velocity .224 projectiles???
If so,anyone want a .223? Because I may as well stick to my old .22 LR and get closer.
???




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