My rifle now has a slight case of vertical stringing. It seems to happen only when it warms up, not hot to the touch though. It's not a big concern, the first 20 go where I want them to, just curious as to the possible cause and solution.


http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/hannahcarlo/?ac...338federaltarget.jpg


Thanks,
Mike

More then likely it's a pressure point on the forearm... It would be good to know for the others that might comment on this thread as to what rifle it is... I assume by the photo that it's chambered in 338 Federal but who's the manufacturer, etc??

Ken....

Sounds like a bedding problem.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if the barreled action was dropped into another stock.

I had the same problem with a ZG47 stringing shots up in a straight line. Removed the recoil lug screw and started giving me normal groupings although not very tight.

"the first 20 go where I want them to"
You shoot 20 shots and your barrel isn't hot?

Have you tried a "lick and a promise" type cleaning after about 15 shots? (That is, one wet patch & 2 dry patches.)

If done quickly enough, the barrel would still be warmish. Then you could shoot another 10, for a total of 25, and see if it was doing it then. I suspect bedding, but some rifles start to shoot strangely after a bunch of shots without cleaning. Yours might be one of them.

The rifle is a Rem 700 338 Federal with a 24" Lilja barrel, varmint contour, in a HS Precision stock, fully floated from action forward.

After 20 rounds not quick ones mind you, I shoot 5, change target and so on. The barrel is only warm. I figure by the time I walk 200 yards and back, should be cool enough for another string.

I'll try the "lick and promise" trick, and the front screw tension as well as a longer cool down and see what happens.

Like I mentioned earlier, it's only mildly annoying since the first 15 or 20 rounds go where they're suppose to so it's a non-issue for hunting.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/hannahcarlo/Picture.jpg

Here is the previous target, excuse the flyer, my fault.

The first thing to check, as it has been stated, is bedding.

The second is barrel fouling.

A thirs, very unlikely, is barrel warping

And the fourth is you. After 20 rounds with a 338 Magnum, your stock weld may be off, or you are flinching!

The barrel is touching the stock slightly in the barrel channel. Rund a dollar bill between the barrel and barrel channel next time you're shooting and it warms up.

I would have to agree with AC on this one .
Acts like it's dirty . Walking 200 Yd. changing target is plenty of time for a cool down .

Try this first . Clean the bore real good , then shoot a group of 10 rounds with 1 -1.5 minutes between each round . See what kind of group this gives you . If it starts acting up after say 5 suspect something else bedding or stock shift . It doesn't sound like a heat problem at all .

Shoot straight know your target . ...

I suspect that the group you show is about 3/4" or thereabouts...That is not vertical stringing btw, its a nice accurate rifle...

What you are refering to as stringing is most likely your shooting (again which ain't bad) A shift in grip, hold or about anything can cause that.

To analize a group like that I would need to have the shots numbered as they hit, you would have to show me that it does that each time.

Unless your just target shooting then why would you even be concerned, it certainly shoots well enough for varmint and big game hunting.

If your a target shooter then you must consider mirage, your loads, shooting style, bench hold, and a magnitude of possibles. You can do this through a process of elimination..

+1 on what Ray said.

I am with Ray, also. Surely there is more to life than this.

I would be real happy with that group.
But, if you are really interested in making it better, do what the guys above said about checking the forearm bedding. I suspect the barrel is touching the stock somewhere.

Don

Dang nice group to my eyes. I think you must have not much to worry about and are in the habit of worrying. Take that gun and use it. Or I guess you could sell that sorry piece of crap to me really cheap. I will give you $50 if you throw in the scope. Good hunting. "D"

Thanks for all the input, I'll try a few ideas this weekend at the range. It's been busy here, trying to finish off all chores before moose and deer seasons start. I don't like loose ends while I'm away.

This rifle is a bone of contention with the wife and I, everything I do has to be to my satisfaction or I keep fidling until I'm content. She thinks like everyone else, it's more than accurate enough just enjoy.

But you know, I'll bet a nice Mcmillan stock with a pistol grip would be really comfortable to shoot! I'll mention it to the boss, see if she flips!!!

One thing about good guns, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!! It seems that everytime I get into one of those deals it ends up costing me money or I screw it up!

Tinker with your loads but don't touch it with a screw driver.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
One thing about good guns, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!! It seems that everytime I get into one of those deals it ends up costing me money or I screw it up!

Tinker with your loads but don't touch it with a screw driver.

+1

The more I look at your posted group, the more I suspect the problem (if any) may simply be "bench technique". That is not intended in any way to insult your shooting. You obviously are a fine shooter, with an equally fine rifle. It is just to say that little things, such as a front sand bag packed a little too hard with filler, can often cause that little tiny bit of vertical stringing...

As the gun bounces on the front bag with each successive shot, the filler can pack a little harder. And, as the front bag surface gets "harder", it presents a surface that a light ("sporter") stock may "bounce" a little farther away from each shot.

I know that sounds hard to believe, but I had to learn it the hard way in benchrest competition. It can and sometimes does happen.

So, I'm with Ray, and your wife. Don't putz with your rifle's mechanics. Just make sure it is clean enough, tweak your loads perhaps a tiny "skosh", and examine your bench techniques to assure everything is consistent from shot to shot. Betcha your groups will be just fine that way.

I never take offence to any critics of my shooting from people on forums like these. I'm sure most people here have shot rifles longer than I have and at greater range. A long rifle range here is 200 yards, and I have found a sand pit behind the mine I work at where I can shoot to 300 yards.

I'm basically self taught with reading articles from David Tubb etc... I'm sure there's many ways I can improve. I don't have any sand bags as of yet, I tried them and liked them. Currently i'm using a MTM adjustable rifle rest. It's not bad, but I can't explain why I haven't upgraded.

I'm going to the range this weekend so I'll reply later.

Mike

After looking at you groups, and reading the posts above, I would second not touching the rifle until after you try the cleaning mid-serial.
Some BBls are sensitive to fouling, some aren't.
FWIW, 20 shots seems plenty for any hunting short of a cull.
JMHO, and 0.02 worth, adjusted for inflation...

Give it a try, and maybe let us know how you get on?

Good group, BTW!