I recently purchased a FN commercial Mauser in 243 for my daughter to use for deer hunting. The rifle’s accuracy is very disappointing. I have tried 2 scopes and 2 mounting systems and the best group I can get is about 5”. One shot is on target and the next is 5” up. Seems more vertical than horizontal on where the shots move vs poa.
Who can I send it to for an inspection and a few mods:
Cut and recrown barrel to 20”
Inspect and adjust trigger if needed
Inspect stock fitment for any issues that could cause the erratic accuracy

Open to diy suggestions too but my gun skills are minimal.

Before you start shortening the barrel and other things I would have someone check how the barreled action is fitting into the stock. Sounds like something is loose there and it is moving around every shot. The other thing I would check is for some damage to the barrel crown

yep .. sounds like something is loose - likely action is loose - step one, just try tightening the action screws, on an outside chance, the stock could have shrunk ENOUGH that bottoming out the screws doesn't result in a tight fit, but more likely is it shrank some and the screws aren't tight anymore

Commercial FN 98?? Older gun, yes? Check the round count too. 243's dont last all that long, but 5 MOA would suggest other things going wrong as well.

That shot pattern is not the barrel; it is bedding, or loose scope, or loose action screws.
Do more research before anything drastic.
A bad barrel will be random and dispersed. Not always same direction.

First thing I do when acquiring a rifle like this is to glass bed the action and the barrel first couple inches in front of the action.

Free float the rest solves a lot of problems.

I, too.

1. Clean bore and remove any copper fouling
2. Check crown for damage
3. Check bedding and barrel channel for fit(as mentioned)
4. Try different ammo and bullet weights
5. Determine twist rate and see if it is in accordance with your bullet weights
6. Tight action screws as mentioned
7. Tight bases and ring fasteners

Yes. 5 inches at 100 yards is way out of line. Back off the action screws and re-tighten to "against" plus a bit more.

Then, ***** Note that one tiny flake of metal in the barrel can make groups crazy. It's rare but it happens. Wrap some 000 steel wool around a nylon cleaning brush wetted with Hopp's No. 9 and clean back and forth 20-30 times. Check the wool closely for flakes that resemble mica.

Depending on where you are, there are several competent smiths right here on AR you could send it to if you dont want to tackle it yourself. What is your location?

located in memphis, tn but happy to ship. Also might consider a rebarrel as im only into the rifle about $300. Really looking to make it into an accurate tool rather than a showpiece.

I am in Arizona and would be happy to help you if you want to ship it, PM me. It will have to shipped back to an FFL. Ive built quite a few rifles on Mauser actions. It would be easier on you to find someone closer. I personally don't know of anyone but lots of members here can help

quote:

Originally posted by RUSTY75:
I recently purchased a FN commercial Mauser in 243 for my daughter to use for deer hunting. The rifle’s accuracy is very disappointing. I have tried 2 scopes and 2 mounting systems and the best group I can get is about 5”. One shot is on target and the next is 5” up. Seems more vertical than horizontal on where the shots move vs poa.
Who can I send it to for an inspection and a few mods:
Cut and recrown barrel to 20”
Inspect and adjust trigger if needed
Inspect stock fitment for any issues that could cause the erratic accuracy

Open to diy suggestions too but my gun skills are minimal.

If the group is moving up with successive shots, you could have a barrel bedding issue. If there is a tight spot near the forend tip, as the barrel heats up it could be raising your point of impact. Pull the barreled action and look for a bedding pad in the stock and/or a rub spot on the barrel. Also, make sure top of mag box is not contacting the receiver. This would indicate wood compression which could place undue pressure on the barrel and/or make the receiver loose in the stock. I had a Westernfield FN Supreme in the shop last week that had this exact issue. I had to bed the receiver and the bottom metal. The bottom metal had sunk so deep in the wood you couldn't remove the floorplate.

CHECKK THE BEDDING FIRST!!! that's the most probable mentioned, recrown next, Have you inspected the barrel throat? A new barrel could be the problem but when all else is tried as its a high expense and may or may not change a thing. first thing I would do is shim the tang and recoil and test fire it at the range, that should tell you a lot about the inletting. I use business cards for that as your lifting the barreled action out of the wood..