This one has me stumped. Got this '06 which shoots well(rarely), but will throw it's shots right or left no particular order into a line on the target. Not the scope, or the mounts. Tried 4 scopes and 3 different mounts. Sometimes groups are 2 1/2 inches wide and .125 inches high... SD's are single digit and the bore feels fine when cleaning, no obvious abnormal fouling. My thoughts turn to bedding as the only possible culprit here, what do you think?

Does it do it when someone else fires it or with substantially reduced loads? Is this a feather weight? Free floating? roger

I would say you are on the right track, migyt try the old folded dollar test. If a folded dollar will pass through the barrel channel when the barrel is cold, try it again when the barrel is warm.
I tend to free float all my bolt gunts although one or 2 seem to prefer a little tip preasure. Im nearly all cases accuray improved quite abit with the free floating,
In the few casses it needed more I had them glass bedded, and that almost alleays worked, if i still could not get a rifle to shoot after that new barrel or or trade out !
...tj3006

It is not a feather weight, nor is it "poorly" bedded. This barrel is similiar to a Rem VSSF in contour. I guess I am spoiled by to many circular groups from my Hart barrels. Shot 10 rounds again today, SD was 5, velocity was 2700 ft/sec's with a Nosler 180 BT... groups about 1/2" high by 2" wide. Should be on the money you would think.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
... groups about 1/2" high by 2" wide. .

Does it randomly fall in line or is there a progession ( grows longer with each shoot)? Does the barrel hit some terminal temperature and cause the line growth to stop? Is this short interval shooting? roger

Assuming the scope and mounts check out this problem is commonly caused by poor bedding fit which allows the rifle to move laterally in the stock. If your shots are landing progressively in one direction then it may be a barrel problem. If they go left or right randomly look to tightening the action bedding with a new glass job making certain the action is supported throughout it's length right up to the top lines.

How `bout parallax? If you go to the Range less than 12 times a year, parallax might sneak up on you.

Paralax could be the culprit. It's one I've often overlooked.
I've always felt that horizontal stringing was often a bedding problem, while vertical stringing was due to inconsistent trigger and/or breathing management. Hard to say until you start eliminating things.

barrel heating up?

Sounds like a good candidate for a tuneable brake.

Are the screws that hold the stock to the action properly tightened? This can cause the problem you are experiencing. If this is the cure it is a cheap fix.

My Remington M-7 did that when the front screw got looset. I tightened it up and the groups shrank.

Sounds like bedding to me.


Okie John

Hey Sako,

I have to ask: How is your trigger pull?

I would have it re bedded by someone who understands bedding other than free floating the barrel...

You could have some binding in the action and you would need to releave pressure on the opposite end of the action from where its making contact in many cases to get it to lie straight...

If you have groups that are in a horozontal line then several other things can be taking place..1. Loose front screw, so tighten it a bit after a shot falls near center...2. walking can be from side pressure on the action as stated above or side pressure on the barrel at some point, but that is indicated when it only walks in ONE direction. 3. bent action screws or stressed action screws can also apply to #2...

You can almost always determine rifle problems by the shape of a combination of several fired groups at 100 yards....

Normally when I stock a rifle, I test fire it in the purely rough state after I have completely inletted it and before I shape it very much at all or install recoil pads etc. I want to know that it will shoot before I do all that extra work...

I have kept carefull records of group shapes over the years and what causes certain common shapes and flyer patterns. It has been very helpfull in my ongoing education of stock making.

Gentlemen, many thanks for the input. To answer some of the questions... I live on a range, i.e., 100 yards with excellent bench is 40 yards from my loading room. Not parallax as one of the scopes used has been a Mark 4 Leupold. The other a LRT both with side focus. Got ot be the beddiing I guess, though I wouldn't have thought it! Thaks again!

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Gentlemen, many thanks for the input. To answer some of the questions... I live on a range, i.e., 100 yards with excellent bench is 40 yards from my loading room. Not parallax as one of the scopes used has been a Mark 4 Leupold. The other a LRT both with side focus. Got ot be the beddiing I guess, though I wouldn't have thought it! Thaks again!

Good luck. Let know how it turns out.

Before you rebed the rifle take it apart and examine the holes through the pillars. Is there any indication (bruising or burnished areas) that indicate the guard screws are in contact with the pillar walls? That can also cause strange things to happen and there should be clearance.

Just back from the Oregon coast, wonderful time and beautiful weather. So loaded some rounds this AM and will plan to shoot on Sunday. I will be examining minutely the interior before shooting once again. Appreciate the pointers/reminders.

Today's shooting results: quite a change! After disassembly of the bareled action and inspection thereof, I decided that while nothing was visably wrong, I would try to tighten up the bedding by placing a strip of masking tape on each side of the reciever walls/ action bedding area. Using the standard accuracy load for the rifle, I shot two 5 shot groups which were .75 inch or less. Now the question is, do I re-bed the action or use it the way it is... Frankly I was amazed by the change in accuray.

Masking tape will eventually get wet and stay damp long enough to cause rust and pitting. Get it bedded.

Yeah, I know that.... Just enjoying the moment.