Author Topic: ATR .270 won't group under 3" (new group 0.72 with pic) new grp .325 (Read 2301 times)

mattri · « **on:** October 09, 2009, 02:35:39 PM »

Bought a new ATR 270 on Monday. Have tried a number of diffferent kinds of ammo in it including Federal Premium and still can't get it to group under 3" at 100 yards. Scope is a 3-9 Nikon everything is tight. Any suggestions?

STexhunter · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2009, 12:52:31 AM »

Since you said that the rings and bases are tight, make sure the screws in the front scope base are not rubbing on the bolt. Next you might remove the barrelled action from the stock and look for any un-usual rub marks where the action fits into the stock causing the action to be torqued unevenly. Same with the action screws. Make sure they are the proper lenght not binding the action. I believe these rifles are supposed have a free floating barrel. Check that the barrel is free floated and not rubbing the stock in places. A friends 270 is anything but free floated but shoots 1.5 groups at 100 yds. Also check the recoil lug and make sure its not rubbing in the wrong places and evenly across the back of the lug recess and not on the sides are bottom. Just a few things to check and my 2 cents worth.

Delbert · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2009, 07:22:40 AM »

You might think about slowing down your shots to keep that "NEW" barrel cool. What I mean is this is a new rifle and the gun barrel isn't properly broken in yet. Also you need to keep that barrel clean-clean-clean from any lead residue at this time. DO NOT reoil barrel at this time. Don't forget to also clean the head of the bolt of lead residue.Take one shot from a cold barrel, then while barrel is cooling down, clean it out. You don't want to see any gray matter on your cleaning swatch after cleaning. Look at watch to see how many minutes barrel has cooled---let cool for 15 more minutes. This is an "ALL DAY" process to properly break in a rifle barrel and have it shoot properly. Also breaking in a barrel isn't just a one day process. It can take up to 3-4 days and lots of ammo and your time. After I broke in my ATR chambered in 30-06, I can now shoot back to back shots and keep all holes within 1-1/2". Trust me it's well worth it. After end of day of shooting, you can now reoil barrel, until start of next shooting, then swab out barrel of any oils before 1st shot. Remember---you want CLEAN BARREL not OILY, LEAD FOULED BARREL before you shoot.
Delbert

mattri · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2009, 09:08:55 AM »

Thanks for the replies.
I re-checked that everything was tight, removed the action and checked spacing as well.
Also was shooting/cleaning and allowing the barrel to cool properly, just couldn't get the thing to group.
Buddy broke out some hand loads he uses in his .270, 150grn hornadys, 41 grns of varget in his fire formed brass. Chambered a little tight but brought the groups down to .75-1.25" at 100 and about 2.5" at 225.

Delbert · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2009, 11:49:40 AM »

Sounds like ya got a handle on that rifle with using some handloads. Now, for just finding the combination you like. Maybe your friend can help get you on the right track?
Del

mattri · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2009, 01:44:19 PM »

Thats the plan. I bought the gun for hunting and with a little tuning I think it wll work just fine. Thanks again, Matt.

poncaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2009, 03:24:48 PM »

Get a bunch of rounds through it, 150-200, some rifles need a lot of shooting. My270 ATR was a MOA out of the box though..............

searlock · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2009, 12:27:29 AM »

just mounted a used scope on a brand new atr 30-06. this little gun is sweet. holding 1.5 inch groups at 100 yds with win 150 gr silver tips. only round tried so far, i think it will improve with different rounds and hand loads. keep working with it and good luck

mattri · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2009, 03:29:12 PM »

Here's a group with the handloads.

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2009, 10:33:32 AM »

Looks like ya found your load!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!

HWD

mattri · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2010, 03:06:53 AM »

Thanks, really happy with what is supposed to be a cheap rifle.

Delbert · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2010, 06:59:49 PM »

I have a 30-06 that did the same thing with me--BUT WORSE and also shooting high. I was using Rem 165gr Corelokt ammo and I was out. I knew this rifle had to shoot better because it was placing shots all over the place. Looked at scope mounts again, and notice that the scope was "Canted" downward and not holding adjustments(bad bases). I went and got some better scope rings and bases at a local gun shop and did a quick bore sighting. Went back to rifle range and I happened to have a opened box of Remington 150gr. Corelokt ammo with me, BUT only 10 shells. Decided to give it a try at 25yds to get on paper. Looked good so far with one shot, so moved to 100yds. I started zeroing in scope and walking shots to that magic bullseye. As you can see last 4 shots were within a good kill zone. Using Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmaster scope with Leupold rings and bases. I'm sure I could of done better with a lighter trigger.
Delbert

mattri · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2010, 11:59:32 AM »

140grn Nosler BTs over 55grns of H4831 with CCI 200s in formed brass. .325 @ 100 yards.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2010, 06:39:22 AM »

Sweet!

That is some fine shooting.

Amazing how the ATR's can shoot.

mattri · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2010, 01:01:52 PM »

100 yards.

350 yards.

Both of these groups were shot today. The first pic was at 100 yards first 3 shots out of a cold bore. The second pic is at 350 yards using a Nikon BDC reticle which only gives you a circle to surround your target with. Continue to be amazed at how well this rifle shoots with very little time/effort spent on load development. Cheap rifle, cheapish scope, re-loads by a guy who's new to this. Great gun and a great round.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2010, 02:41:54 PM »

myarmor · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2010, 05:33:17 AM »

Nice shooting, and it looks like you have found your sweet spot for it. Congrats on you rifle and load.

-Aaron

mattri · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2010, 09:44:03 AM »

Thanks for the replies. I've heard a lot of people saying that "the .270 is a great for deer, but not that accurate" or that you can't expect too much from a "cheap" rifle like the ATR. Just wanted the folks who shoot these to know that they are very capable rifles.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2010, 05:59:58 PM »

I could never figure out why a guy would want one 270 Winchester. That is why I have one for brush, a lighter one for mountains, and a just in case one.

You have a fine shooting one.

mattri · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2010, 06:34:09 PM »

Thanks again. I have been seriously considering building a .270 long range rifle. Great accuracy potential, moderate recoil, flat shooting, what's not to love?

Thinking a Savage or Rem 700 action, 26" heavy barrel, laminate varminter/br stock with a decent trigger and nice glass.

What do you think?

Wife wants a 6br and if the past is any indicator she'll prob get what she wants. Really liking the idea of a long range .270 though.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2010, 02:36:48 AM »

one thing ive noticed with the 06 ive been working with is it tends to print differnt brands of bullets and especially differnt weights of bullets all over the place. More they any other bolt gun ive used. Im talking sometimes 6 inch differnce with a differnt brand of bullet the same weight. Id have to guess the cheap stock has alot to do with this. I dont much care as the load i settled on goes into less then an inch at a 100 and thats good enough for me. Ive bought a couple of these in 243 for my grandkids and when i get around to it ill see if they too do this.

Brithunter · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2010, 03:34:56 AM »

Nice shooting

however I am puzzled

If your ATR shoots like this then why not tweek this rifle into you long range one?

Although I love the .270 Winchester and more than one

I feel that the 7mm bore (0.284") actually has more to offer in bullet selection so I am pricing up replacing the barrel on a worn .270 with a 7x64 barrel and re-chambering to .280 AI. Offerings in 0.277" bullets are a bit limited

.

myarmor · « **Reply #22 on:** May 24, 2010, 08:34:48 AM »

270's are great! I often take my M70 270 out varmint hunting, it's a great round. You don't have quite the versitility with so many bullet weights as in the 7mm and 30cals, but sometimes you don't really need to.
I would love to have a bull barrel 26"+ in a 270.

Brithunter · « **Reply #23 on:** May 24, 2010, 02:34:09 PM »

Ohhh almost forgot the Federal Fusion 150 grain ammunition seems to shoot well in a number of rifles an seems to have good performance on deer. Although only having shot one deer with it so far it's not a large sample. The result from that one deer is enough for me to ues it again and once my licence comes back from being varied I will be buying a couple more boxes of it

. I have an old .270 that is a bit fussy on what it likes and it likes this Fusion ammo.

mattri · « **Reply #24 on:** May 24, 2010, 03:05:00 PM »

The heavy barreled long range gun is just a dream project at the moment. What I really wanted to do with this post was show people that these average hunting rifles can shoot well.

Brithunter · « **Reply #25 on:** May 25, 2010, 01:04:26 AM »

Quote from: mattri on May 24, 2010, 03:05:00 PM

The heavy barreled long range gun is just a dream project at the moment. What I really wanted to do with this post was show people that these average hunting rifles can shoot well.

Your preaching to the choir

I might not like many of the modern production rifles due to the plastic and cheapening short cuts they are made with but most of my rifles are standard production ones from some years back before all the plastics crept in

and they shoot very well to most peoples surprise

.

mattri · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2010, 04:05:41 PM »

200 yards 0.393.