I sighted in my .22-250 at 100 yards with 52gr Sierra Match HP. I fired 5 rounds, and each bullet impacted to the left of the previous round, producing a small "smile."
The first and last bullet holes measured 1.3125 inches from outside edge to outside edge, for a group size of 1.09". The sequential rise to the left from first to last round was 0.3125" (5/16"). Center-to-center the distance between the individual 5 rounds ranged from 0.253 to 0.344 inches.
I then sighted in at 200 yards, with no lateral grouping, and was able to hit a standard empty paint spray can 5 out of 5 shots.
What might have caused the initial lateral group?
The first and last bullet holes measured 1.3125 inches from outside edge to outside edge, for a group size of 1.09". The sequential rise to the left from first to last round was 0.3125" (5/16"). Center-to-center the distance between the individual 5 rounds ranged from 0.253 to 0.344 inches.
I then sighted in at 200 yards, with no lateral grouping, and was able to hit a standard empty paint spray can 5 out of 5 shots.
What might have caused the initial lateral group?