This is really starting to annoy me,so I thought I'd come here for some suggestions. I've got a Winchester 94 that I'm trying to work up a load for,using the Lee 170gr RNFP-GC bullets. I benchrest it for all test groups. I get good accuracy at 100yds with it for about 5-10 rounds (just under 2"),then POI just changes randomly,and the group raises nearly 4-5" at 100yds. The groups still stay in the 2-2.5" range at 100yds,it's just that the POI completely alters when the barrel heats up.
Rifle M94 winchester with leupold 2pc mount and rings,and a cheap remington package scope.
The loads:
Bullet: 170gr Lee RNFP-GC- Hornady gas checks,sized to .310, tumble lubed with alox-mild taper crimp (1/3 turn in on the die)
Powder: WC844 (H335 basically)- from 28-32grs. Best accuracy is around 30-31grs. Velocity at that charge is about 2050fps.
Primer-Winchester LR
Cases-varies,but kept together by lot.
Seating: I seat to right at the driving band on the Lee bullet (above the two lube grooves). This ends up ramming the bullet right into the short throat and engraving heavily,but I haven't seen any pressure problems.
The odd part-these loads seem to shoot very clean. There's no obvious leading,just powder fouling and occasional flecks in the bore. It doesn't look much different than my jacketed loads.
This POI shift has happened in several sessions with the Lee cast load,with two different scopes mounted. The mounts and rings are tight. The scope was used previously on a package .308 which shot unbelieveably good groups,so I know it's a decent (if cheap) scope.
Charges above 31grs tend to open up a bit more and possibly exacerbate the POI shift problem. I get a few shots in a great group from a cold barrel,then I go back to shoot again and POI has changed dramatically.
Any ideas? Is it the load? The rifle?