For those that have followed my .257 Weatherby load work-up you know that it is getting frustrating. For those that haven't followed my work-up...it is getting frustrating.

Anyway, I have one simple question for those in the know.

Would it benefit me to free float the barrel, or am I opening a can of worms?

thanks.

Well you're dealing with a rifle that doesn't have very long barrel life. I would first bed the action if you haven't done that yet. Next thing would be to free float the barrel. What's your trigger pull?

Well I haven't been following it but it sounds like it doesn't shoot? First thing I would do is to make sure the action is well bedded. Then I would bed the barrel solid out to the end of the chamber and free float from there. That didn't work, I'd try a bit of up pressure at the fore end tip. By they way, did you check that the action screws are tight? Also is the scope mounted well? How about the front guard screw, it doesn't touch the bolt does it? I've a Rem 700 that did that and it drove me nut's getting it to shoot. Shortened the front guard screw whern I finally figured it out and the problem went away.

I haven't measured the trigger pull, but it is a "hair" trigger. By far the cleanest, crispest trigger I have.

I haven't followed your frustration but it is not uncommon even for a Weatherby. In the past several years it has been my practice to glass the bed and float the barrel of any rifle purchased before the first round is fired. When the scope is mounted all screws need the medium grade loctite. Since I started that routine I have not had a rifle that did not shoot great.
Good Luck.

I was'nt able to get Nosler Partitions to shot less than 4" @ 100 yds. But the Sierra Pro hunters and factory Hornady loads were great. I have heard that the barrel needs to be a 1 in 10 twist. Hope this helps.

i would have to say that free-floating would be the fastest and easiest thing you could do. i would bed the action aswell, probably has the most affect