Hi all,
I purchased a used Remington 700ML last year, installed the 209 conversion kit, and never used it until now (I bow hunt 99% of the time).
This year I installed a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 scope on Leupold detachable rings. I started sighting it in yesterday with 2x50 gr 777 pellets and 240 Hornady sabots. The thing is scattering 'em everywhere! The 1st shot was approximately 6" low, then the next was 4" high, and they were all that way, one here, one there, everywhere. Today I tried loose 777, first 90, then 100 gr. I also used the same Hornady sabots and 310 gr Knight sabots with the same results.It is scattering them all over the place.
All tests were performed at 60 yards. I take everything apart, clean with hot water, dry patches, then Hoppes #9, dry patches again, and thats it.
Any suggestions would be helpful. The gun shop said that they could perfom a recoil test to check the scope which basically consists of using a bore sighter, dropping the gun butt first on the floor, then re-checking to see ifthe scopemoved.
I don't want to pay $$$ for a new gun, but this thing is driving me nuts!
What can I do????

Do that recoil test first. Sounds to me, anyway, likea sight thats moving with every shot fired.

If you still have sights on the rifle, take the scope off and try shooting it with the open sights. If it holds a tight group with the open sights, then you need a new scope. Also make sure to check the base screws, and mounts on the scope. Sometimes they come loose and it will scatter your shots all over the paper.

Thanks for the replies. The bases were installed when I got the gun and the owner told me that they were "there to stay". Should I be using 100 gr of 777? And are the Hornady 240 sabots ok or should I try something else?

My hunting buddy has great results using 110g of Pyrodex pellets and a 300g Powerbelt bullet in his 700. He just did the 209 conversion this year it has always worked pretty good with caps but he wanted to upgrade.

I agree with other posters check the rifle with the iron sights first before you blame the rifle. If the iron sights are gone just try another scope.

how do you get a 110 grain charge with pyrodex pellets, last I checked they come in 50 and 30 grain size.

VAboy,

It would surprise me if the 700 couldn't handle 100 grains. Even so, I don't use more than I think isreasonably sufficient to do the job with proper placement. If you are not likely to be shooting over 100 yards, you could try 80 grains loose, or even less. Believe it or not, as little as 60 grains of 777 will propel the 240 xtp to greater than 1650 fps and deliver in excess of 875 ft-lbs at 100 yards. Shot placement (accuracy)is the most important part of the equation. So you could reduce your charge and save your shoulder a little recoil and your wallet a little money.

If youhave beenshooting .429 xtps, you mayconsidergettinga box of .451 or .452 xtps and some high quality Magnum sabots. I rarely hear positive remarks about the .429 xtps though I have no experience with them.

Good luck!

Two 30's and one 50 where did you go to high school? Just kidding

I was responding to VAboy's question of whether he should reduce his charge. I hadn't read your post as you must have posted it while I was editing mine.

So what does that add up to? 115 grains? I just set the powder measure. I can read, in spite of not being able to do addition .

I was replying to HDW. I knows better than to question you