Gentlemen,
I recently purchaced a Model 70 FWT Classic Stainless in 6.5x55, from a true gentlman on this forum. I have been using Hornady 129 SPs, and WLR primers, and so far have used IMR 4350 and IMR 4831 in .5 gr increments from 42-46 grains.
Two things I noticed. First, my lowest loads grouped the best in both powders. Second, both powders seemed to group two shots very close, and either the second or the third was way off, as in 1.5-3 inches. I should mention that this improved with the upper end of the IMR 4831 loads, but the groups were still fairly large(1.25-1.5 inches or so). My 30-06 has grouped 5 in under .75, so the problem is not my shooting. The bag was just in front of the front screw for every shot, and the barrel is fully floated. The best "hot" group was with 44.0 gr IMR 4831, at just under an inch center to center. (42.0 IMR 4831 grouped a nice .595") The barrel was a bit warm, but I could still hold it comfortably for the last several groups. Is this just a fact of life for light barrels, or is it a bullet, powder, or primer problem? Or is that just the best I can expect under the circumstances. The previous owner got .75 with H380 and Rem bullets, but I don't have either right now.
Thanks for your collective expertice in this matter. You gentlemen are a pleasure to deal with.
Regards,
Graham

There definitely are some factory-made rifles that will shoot under 1", but I'm afraid reading about such things has prejudiced us to expect that this kind of shooting is routine. It is not. Any factory-made, untuned rifle that will shoot 1.25" to 1.5" groups is shooting pretty damn good! I suspect there are some things that could be done to your rifle to make it perform even better. However, I think your choice of powders is a good one for accuracy in the 6.5X55mm.....

Try some Sierra bullets, and perhaps some Nosler BT's.

How long do you wait between shots? Yes, lightweight barrels do heat up fast! If you shoot fast, you might be able to fire three rounds before you can expect the heat to cause your group to expand. Maybe only two! I'd wait five minutes between shots, since it is where the bullet from a cold barrel goes that's important to a hunter!

Many times a featherweight barrel will shoot better with a pressure point about 2" from the front of the forend. The best "pad" will only touch the barrel from 5-7 o'clock, but for a quick test double up a business card and slide under the barrel. You didn't say if you have the same scope/mounts/rings as the previous owner- that can easily make up a .250" difference.

Thanks both of you for the ideas. I have tried Sierras, and Nosler BTs, and the Sierras did quite well for a max load right off the bat (just a hair over an inch). The Noslers did very bad (well over 3"). The loads were from a friend who has a rifle identical to mine, and he just suggested it. He is very conscientious, btw, so it was still all safe.
The previous owner had a 6x42 Leupold on it. I have a 3-9x40 Leupold on it, set at 6x.
Duane, thanks for the idea. I will try that.
BTW. how hot is too hot? When it is uncomfortable to hold after 5 seconds, or more or less. I was testing on a fairly warm evening, so it didn't cool very fast.
Regards,
Graham

I'd say that if your problem is truly random you might just have a tool that isn't blue-ribbon. If the problem is systematic, there must be a systematic solution. Keep switching elements until you find the right combo. I had a prob some years ago that sounds like yours and somebody recommended I go to a completely different kind of powder. Haven't taken his advice yet, but WTH????

It is fairly common for lightweight factory barrels to print the first two in a nice groups and scatter the third. It's a matter of harmonics and whether or not the barrel was truly stress relieved (and whether it was performed properly). Other factors such as forend tension come into play, and the hot barrel only served to exaggerate any problems.

You may want to try Re-22. It is the best overall powder both in terms of accuracy and velocity in my 6.5x55s and seems to shoot exceptionally well no matter if the load is on the mild side or approaching the upper end of the spectrum.

Classic,
I'd try the slight pressure up front and different reloading tricks. Then if that didn't tighten the groups I'd ask myself how small a group I really needed to hunt. Everybody, especially on this reloaders BB, really wants exceptional accuracy, but I figure the range at which I can shoot a 4" group of two shots from a cold barrel is my effective hunting range. How many 250 yard shots would I really expect to make with a 6.5x55? Darn few I expect. The longest shot I've ever made hunting in the woods was about 125 yrds and I've got other tools for longer ranges. Good luck with the SS featherwt. I still kick myself occasionally for not outbidding you on it!

While trying to develop a load for a custom (sporter weight) .300 WM I recently took delivery of, I experienced to exact same phenominon: two shots through the same hole and a third and inch or two away. Fair-enough for a factory rifle, but not the kind of accuracy to be expected from a $2500 project rifle. After trying no less than six different styles of bullets in the 168gr to 220gr range it occured to be to shim the #4 contour barrel at the forend as was suggested here. My next ten-shot group (which, I might add took almost an hour to fire) printed a neat 3/8" eight-shot cluster and a double about 1/4" away. Needless to say, there is now a perminant glass pad in the forend. It's definately worth a try in your M70 featherweight.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I am going to try my best load with the fore-end-pressure-point trick, and see if that improves the issue. Thanks for the input.
Regards,
Graham

quote:

Originally posted by M70classic:
Thanks for all the great ideas. I am going to try my best load with the fore-end-pressure-point trick, and see if that improves the issue. Thanks for the input.
Regards,
Graham

I wonder if installing a BOSS would help? Not that I'd want the ugly s.o.b. on a rifle, but WTH? Your choice.

While working with my CZ550 in the 6.5x55, well it just would not shoot anything factory ammo worth a hoot even after I glass-bedded the action and 1.5" of the barrel. Time to try reloads...so I checked Ken Waters book and the 6.5x55 "update"! 48grs of RL 22 with the 120gr Nosler BT showed the best accuracy....so I tried it.....first 3-shot group measured 0.548" @ 100 yds. I still have more work to do with other bullets but that particular load worked for me. I did start at 46.0 and worked up to 48 but accuracy was still impressive. Please do the same with the info I have posted.

Ol' John

John R,
I have thought about going into the Reloader Powders 19 and 22, but I have not yet. I think that that will be my next choice if IMR 4831 absolutely does not work. I tried some Nosler B-tips in front of some IMR 4831 that a friend had loaded up, and my gun just spread them. I think the group was over 3 inches.
paa, thanks for the idea of the BOSS. I share your sentiments on the appearance of the things. I will settle for 1.5" groups before I think of installing one of those.
Thanks again. I will post on the results of my next test session.
Regards,
Graham