I couldn't find a better forum than this one, so here goes. I have a nice 25-06 Rem. 700 Mtn Rifle DM with a Redfield 2x-7x Widefield in Leupold Dual Dovetail mounts and rings. After checking the zero a week ago, the groups at 100 yds suddenly opened up to 3" from .800". So, I chalk it up to being tired, etc. etc. Monday I tried it again. Same 3 inch groups. Crap. I check all the screws, everything is tight. I swap scopes to a Tasco Pronghorn 4x. One shot and the Tasco poops a lens. Back to town to buy a Leupold 2x-7x Rifleman (no time to send the scope in and get it back before deer season). While the scope is off, I check the mount bases and tighten things up, whereby the Torx adapter twists off in one of the screws...nice. I then pulled the barreled action, checking for sling swivel interference. Everything looks good. I put the whole mess back together and shoot the mounted Leupold. 3" groups continue. GRRRR, I suddenly remember the Win. 70 with its 3 guard screws. I loosen then CAREFULLY torque the guard screws, first the front and then the rear.
PRESTO! .860" group! This rifle reminds me of my ex- wife, picky, picky, whiney, but definitely slick looking! So, now I have an extra scope...SIGH.

Look at the crown with a magnifying glass, see if it's dinged. (Although I recently read that will affect POI more than accuracy).

Maybe inconsistent ammo? You reloading or using factory?

25-06's arnt to bad for the recoil so i wouldnt think it was hammering your scope around...could try a little more forend pressure if the groups open up.

maybe its the nut behind the but?

You are right in the torque sometimes ruining groups. Pillar bedding, or just straight glass bedding usually makes this easier on Rem 700s. If you haven't bedded it, this little exercise may be the excuse you need to do it. Also with Rem 700s, after starting the screws and getting the action sitting in the stock, tighten the front screw first, THEN the rear one. Works most of the time.

prof242, do you also believe that the screw nearest the barrel should be tighter than the one at what i would call the front of the action, closest to the trigger

I believe the front screw is the one closest to the barrel. The rear screw is the one closest to the trigger. Tighten the front screw first.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul from nz:
prof242, do you also believe that the screw nearest the barrel should be tighter than the one at what i would call the front of the action, closest to the trigger

Equal torque both screws.

Thanks for the replies. I should have clarifed that I have glass bedded the action, with the barrel free- floated. The load was developed two years ago, and the groups changed in the middle of a 50 round box of ammo. Also, while the 25-06 doesn't recoil much, it is enough to kill Tasco scopes, one of which now sounds like a baby rattle! Also, I tightened the front screw first, aka, the one closest to the barrel. I am just amazed at how picky, especially considering glass bedding, this rifle could be. And yes, I did consider my shooting and my fatigue, which is why I went back after a week to try again. I typically shoot 3/4 minute groups with my 8 1/2lb. .358 Norma Magnum, so I doubt the 25-06 was disturbing me THAT much...

Maybe the 0.8" groups were the fluke....
Brent

Inch pound torque wrench and allen adapters. Everytime you reassemble the rifle use the same torque setting. On a bedded rifle with free floated barrel I would torque them equal starting with the front (muzzle end) screw first to 35-40 inch pounds. Consistently assembled rifles shoot...well....more consistently.

SKB- thanks, this had to occured to me, but I didn't have a torque setting to go by. 35-40 inch pounds sounds good.

Brent- After I get my real business taken care of today, I will be posting some proof of my "fluke" shooting, i.e. more than one group, more than once.

The front screw should be 40 inch pounds and the rear one 25 inch pounds. Any center screw should be just snug.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
The front screw should be 40 inch pounds and the rear one 25 inch pounds.

Why?

quote:

Originally posted by Brent:
Maybe the 0.8" groups were the fluke....
Brent

Okay, BRENT, thanks for the motivation to cut and paste all these together. On the tiled attachment you can see where I cured my problem. On the target with circles are a couple more groups.

I find it interesting how many people read the original post and did not understand that the writer fixed the problem - loose action screws.

I've seen .22's destroy Tasco scopes so a 25/06 destroying one doesn't surprise me at all!

Glen, I was wondering the same thing.
Butch

I find it interesting that the original post made a statement. The following posts supported that statement with opinions.

Beats the hell outta mindless arguements that lead nowhere..............

You might check that your mounts aren't binding or bending the scope tube when tightened into place as this is not uncommon. Get some Burris Signature rings with the nylon insert and a set of the offset inserts to correct the alignment if it exists. Put your scope back to optical center and adjust it with the inserts.

The problem is fixed, thanks