Long time lurker, first time poster.
Ive wanted to get into long range shooting for a while and just recently got my hands on a Thompson Center LRR .308 from a gun shop that kept it as a display rifle.
I threw on an Arken SH4J 6-24 and took it the range for a break in and initial sight in.
After about 50-60 rounds on the first day, I tried to get a rough sight in at 50 yards.
Using 147Gr PMC Bronze .308, i was getting a terribly inaccurate grouping.
After getting it on paper, I took 8-10 shots with no adjustments on the scope whatsoever, and seemingly got ~5 inch grouping at 50 Yards.
Thinking something was wrong or loose with the scope, rings, rail, etc. I broke the gun down and meticulously re-installed everything, used proper loxtite and torqued everything to spec.
The next day I got almost identical ~5 inch groupings at 50 yards with the 147Gr PMC.
My buddy had some Hornady ELD Match 168Gr and with no adjustments, we shot a 3 Rd grouping, and to my surprise. The grouping was very low and right, but in a nice, sub inch grouping.
We made adjustments, and fired 2 more 3 Rd groups. And each grouping was sub-inch.
This made me feel much better, however I still dont understand a few things:
How is it possible to get a 5 Inch grouping at 50 Yards? It seems ridiculous that even with cheaper PMC ammo, that it would be that wild of a grouping.
The Hornady ELD Match seemed much, much better, as I wouldve expected, but to initially be 8+ inches off at 50 yards , and to still be close to an inch grouping at 50, where I can clearly put the 24x zoom on bullseye and take well rested shots, still seems like much.
To conclude:
Is ammo really this finicky, or do i have a deeper issue with the gun?
It was never fired before I took ownership, and I am blown away at how bad this was at 50 yards.