I have a factory production Rem. 700 Mtn. rifle that strikes the primer consistently off center. The rifle has useable accuracy with the best groups at .75" and largest 1.75+". My deer loads will shoot 1+". This off center thing has me of the opinion the action and barrel are out of square and I'm lucky to have the accuracy I'm getting. Being the frugal gun owner should I consider continuing to shoot it as is or have it trued by a gunsmith? Comments and suggestions apprecitated.

I've found that firing pin holes are often off center in the bolt on factory guns. I bushed a .17 Remington bolt recently and the original firing pin hole was about .035 off center. If it shoots well don't worry about it.-Rob

QR,

Oversized (but safe) chambers likewise exhibit this characteristic trait. The undersized cartridge lies in the bottom of the chamber in an off center fashion. When the firing pin strikes the primer, off center of course, the brass immediately expands to the side where there is less support resulting in not only the off center strike appearance, but the off side buldge which is very common in factory produced weapons.

Couple this with an off center firing pin hole like Rob mentioned, and the appearance can be somewhat annoying. I agree with Rob, if it shoots well, then you shouldn't have any trouble.

Malm

This was a common trait of accurized 1911's when armorers fit the barrel lugs to the slide but like everyone else said, if it shoots well it shouldn't matter.

Some years ago American Rifleman did a story on off-center flash holes in .308 brass and (this'll annoy the benchresters) it didn't matter for most purposes either. Unless you measure groups down to three decimal places ....

Cheers

Redial