M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I finally shot my new Winchester Model 70 Super Shadow 300 WSM. I was getting some pretty eratic shot groups with the Winchester 150 Gr XP3 ammo. I was kind of disappointed because the ammo is so expensive, and I used an entire box of 20 rounds but still finished without a zero! (at 100 yards)

I was told that the 150 Gr might be too light for the 300 WSM and unpredicatable, but Winchester says otherwise. I'm almost positive it's not from the flinch, the recoil isn't bad at all. I was thinking about switching to the 180 Gr XP3 instead. Some people say rifles are picky about ammo? I know it's not the scope, I have a Leupold VX-II mounted on it.

Any help or ideas here would be appreciated!!

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

It truly could be a number of things, such as loose scope mounts. So check other variables. I would go out, buy a box of much cheaper but still good ammo such as Wolf Gold ammo and again try to zero. I shot 60 rounds of Wolf Gold through my sav .300 win mag when breaking in the barrel and was getting 1" groups with it within about 10 shots.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I woudln't rule out the flinch, most of the time people who say their rifle doesn't "kick" are the ones who flinch the most.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I didn't want to say that.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

Thats why I said it, it sounds like a flinch to me.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

You want to rule out flinching... Take someone to the range with you and let them load your gun and tell them to put a empty case in every now and then... You'll see if your flinching or not

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

God save me if it is a flinch! :)

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

The older gentleman in the store was telling me that before Winchester stopped making their guns here in the states, they pushed out some crappy material. Anyone heard that?

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I heard they stopped making them also, by a few people. No one could tell me why though?

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I know they shut down their stateside plant in PA or something. I heard it was union issues. Have you heard anything about the quality issues since?

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I like that little trick:D

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

Did you check the receiver screws? I bought one in Nov and they were pretty loose. I also bedded and install pillars in my stock. After several range sessions and various loads here is a 5 shot group at 100yds using Barnes 168grTSX behind RL19

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I would check all screws to ensure they are snug first off. I hope you cleaned the rifle prior to shooting it, to remove all the shipping gunk?? It sounds as though your first shots from the new rifle/scope were at 100 yards. Is this correct? If so try hitting the 25 yard target firstand get a rough zero happening. Try getting 1/2" lowDOC. Remember at 25 yards 16 clicks = 1" of movement.Once you have accomplished this move to 100 yards. This should elevate the pannick you are feeling about the gunand load. Then you can work on groups and fine tuning for a zero. When I ever I mount a scope I always hit the 25 yard target to get the scope close, saves a lot of ammo and headaches.

Take a buddy to watch and slow down. It could be the ammo but you should be still holding a group of some sort if your not to blame.I wouldn't go buying a bunch of different loadsjust yet.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

Skeeter offers sound advice gamebuster.
Also, have someone else shoot it with those loads. See what they do. If they're doing well, it's probably you. Try 165's and 180's. My Win 70 .300WSM likes the 165's better than the 150's. The 180's shoot very well!I sent the rifle out today to have a trigger job done and a new crown of 11 degrees cut. The trigger left alot to be desired. Way too much creep and poundage. A good trigger job can do wonders for shooting good groups. They're not too expensive either.
Do you reload? If someone can make you some 150 grain reloads that fit your rifle better than factory standards, you may see improvement there. Just MHO.
Good luck.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

Is it just me?????? or have we seen A LOT of people coming on here saying...." my 300 WSM won't group worth a dang." I peronally worked on getting one to group. It wouldn't do it. It was a Browning. It was a buddies gun.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

Here's a few tips:

[ul][*]Scope mounts and rings are tight[*]Receiver screws are tight[*]Muzzle brake is not loose (if you have one)[*]Check cleaning – Use good copper dissolver[*]Check that all the ammo is the same[*]Check your scope – Possible try using different scope to check[*]Check to see if barrel is free floating[*]Possibly have a second shooter (everybody has bad days) [/ul]

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I have the same rifle, but in 7mm WSM and mine seems pretty accurate. I have this from time to time and I have my buddy shoot 5 or 10 through it to prove my flinch or not. It is usually me. I hate to admit it but fellas are right here. EJ

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

I don't know much about rifle maintenance so those suggestions I will leave up to the others. As only a shooter, I would maybe try Federal, Hornady or some other type of ammo in either 165, 168, or 180 grain cartridges. Also try something with a faster burning powder like a simple soft point because those XP3's kick HARD. Flinching may very well be an issue here so ease into it. What do you hunt mainly? Nice rifle by the way.

RE: M70 SUPER SHADOW 300 WSM (ZERO)
 

Well after many trails of shooting with friends, it has been narrowed down to the trigger squeeze. it's got about an 8 pound trigger on it right out of the box. Gonna take it in and get a trigger job.

The kick aint bad at all, I was pleasantly surprised. About the same as my 30-06 which this will be replacing. I will be huntung elk as well as whitetail. I was planning on using a 180 for elk and 150 for the deer. Gonna stick with the XP3.