Thread: Rifle Double Grouping

Took my brand new bush rifle to the NZDA range today to run it in and also sight it in.
It's a un-suppressed latte bubbler (Howa 1500 stainless hogue 7mm08). Came with a Nikko Sterling 3-9x40 scope.

Did the long run in method - shoot 1 clean 1 etc.
Then sighted it at 50m to reasonable groupings, or so I thought.

This following cluster fuck is mostly 3 shot groups and 10-15 mins at least between each grouping.......

Onto the 100m and it was all over the place. Couldn't get it to group at all. To be honest, I probably fired too many rounds chasing my tail at this point.

Got out my AR and checked I could at least shoot that OK. Let out some frustration with that.
Kinda felt sorry for the fella next to me though. He had brass pelting him for a couple of mag dumps. He was a GC though.

Went back to 50m and bore sighted the 7mm08. Then fired 3 shot groups to sight in. Seemed OK so onto the 100m.
Not even on the paper this time. WTF??? RO was spotting for me by now and couldn't understand what was happening as well.
Back to 50 and took my time to try and see what was up. Firing single shots and leaving it a few mins between shots.
He noticed that every 3rd shot grouped real nice and tight on the 1st shot. 2nd shot dropped approx 2" low and left and 4th shot grouped tight with 2nd.
Grouped nicely enough like that so went to the 100m again. Firing single shots leaving it a few mins between shots.
Did exactly the same grouping type there. 1st and 3rd almost in same spot, under 1". 2nd and 4th low and left (probably 4" gap) but grouped tight also.
Left it here after 60 rounds fired in total today.

Only explanation is recoil lug could need work to stop this double grouping.

Heard that this can be typical type fault of the Hogue stocks.
Anyone had any experience with them?

Thinking I will have to get the stock bedded, or fit another stock.

Ammo used was PPU 140gr factory, but I did try 20rnds of Remington Corelok 140gr as well with same results.
Shooting was done off Harris Bipod.
Barrel is fully free floating.
All scope mounts, bases, and stock screws are tight.

Sounds a mechanical issue, if scope and mounts etc are tight I would be looking at bedding/recoil lug,would pay to see if barrel is touching stock also, the howas I have handled have had a fair bit of flex in the stock

check recoil lug and get it bedded.


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- bedding
- chamber alignment
- .284 might measure .285
- technique
One of the above.

Try fitting a rubber shim in the end of the fore end between it and the barrel, big enough to put a consistent positive tension between the two. Try again with both benchrest type free recoil and firm control sling wrap shooting technique, the group shapes will give you the clue you need.

Sounds like a recoil lug or bedding issue

Will be taking the stock off to inspect the recoil lug. Will be after a hunt labour weekend though. At least the first and 3rd shots are on the money. lol

Originally Posted by cambo

Will be taking the stock off to inspect the recoil lug. Will be after a hunt labour weekend though. At least the first and 3rd shots are on the money. lol

1st shot miss, 2nd into ground at feet, third got him

Loose the bipod. Put it on a sand bag.

Originally Posted by Gibo

1st shot miss, 2nd into ground at feet, third got him

You got it Gibo

Originally Posted by Shearer

Loose the bipod. Put it on a sand bag.

Only thought of that after I got home.
Will give the bipod to my mate for his Remy just for the hunt we're going on and I'll use my pack as a rest when needed.

Think about putting some decent glass on it too. The Nikko Shitter might have a fault inside.

Originally Posted by ishoot10s

Think about putting some decent glass on it too. The Nikko Shitter might have a fault inside.

The plan is to put a dialable scope on it in the future. But for now the Nikko will have to make do.

Scope or bedding.

Double grouping is commonly caused by poor bedding or uneven pressure on the barrel. 3 shot groups are not definitive a 5 is much better. I had this happen with a Zastava with a plastic stock. The stock warped in the back of a ute due to heat and touched the barrel, so I free floated it thinking it was a good idea. It had shot ok before but after free floating turned to shit. Turns out it was pressure bedded. Had to do a bedding job with accraglass to get it back. Worth it though now shoots 3/4 in off a sandbag at 100. Also agree loosing the bipod is a good idea, they bugger the balance and are useless when quick shots present themselves.