I was working up some loads on Saturday and I found that when firing a four shot group the fourth shot would fly off at 9 o� clock.

It did this four times but all the shots felt good. Other than me pulling the shot can anyone think of another reason why this should happen? Barrel overheating maybe?
The rifle is a 6.5x55 custom sporter with stutzen style full stock. Range 100 metres.

Here is a pic �

Thanks

Hi Deerdogs,
I have a hunch that it may be an un-even pressure point in your barrel channel. If you shot a five shot group, you might find the fifth shot would be near the fourth, or possibly more to the left than the fourth. I doubt your barrel is overheating, but as it warms up it is pushing against the pressure point.

If you determine this is the case, I would suggest marking the barrel with Jerrow's black or prussian blue. Replace the metal in the wood and try to avoid putting any pressure on the barrel in the process. I would even shoot the rifle for five shots to estabilish a pressure witness mark.

If you find a dark witness mark, probably on the right side of your barrel channel, lightly scrape that area to relieve it. You probably will need to repeat this process several times before the pressure point is even.

Looking at your group, I would resist the impulse to float your barrel because it looks like your rifle is trying very hard to shoot the just the way it is. Floating may have an adverse effect on your groups.

Scott

I agree with Scott, I have noticed that most of my thin bbl contour rifles uses pressure points up front.

When the prssure is uneven the gun tends to walk to one side as the bbl heats.

If I knew how to post a picture I could show you similar groups from a 270 wby I have.

if you have fliers always going out of the group to the same place,the first thing to check is the scope.not just wild fliers.if you shoot 5 groups and the fliers are all going to the same spot i bet there is something loose inside the scope.

The cat's out of the bag...you've discovered the real reason most of us shoot 3-shot groups....really it sounds like the earlier posts have it right about your barrel moving around. Try letting the barrel cool at least 5 minutes between shots and see what happens.

Deerdogs,

Give yourself a big pat on the back and go stalking, accuratereloading is proven to be detrimental to stalking success.

You could be opening up a whole can of worms if you start playing around with your bedding, as my Father would have said - Leave well alone!