I'm having a little trouble with accuracy of my porterized enfield -06.
Using 168 gr. HPBT with 52.5 grains of reloader 19 and bullet seated against the lands, my best groups are around 1 3/4" at 100 yards. Inceasing the charge towards maximum increases group size to 20". Barrel looks good, trigger is original and chamber is a little sloppy but within specs. Stock is a monty carlo type thats been bedded and barrel free floated. It's kind of an heirloom and very pretty, is there anything I can do to increase accuracy?
I have been neck sizing only the fire formed cases with best accuracy so far at about 20% less than max. powder charge. I'd like to get closer to factory M.V. with accuracy if possible.
It was suggested by a local gunsmith that I have the headspace corrected, a new chamber cut and the barrel recrowned.
In the M1917 the chamber is cut looser thatn the 1903 or later 30-06's. It is not unusual for a 1917 to close on a No-Go gauge (apply typical disclaimer and letigious bullshit here). If the size of your group increases as your charge increase, reduce your load. Check and make sure the action screws are tight and nothing is binding. If you are using a modified military stock, the sleeve on the front action screw has a tendancy to compress making it difficult to properly tighten the action screws. Make sure the stock is not warped. To improve accuracy you can try neck sizing the brass instead of full length sizing of the cartridge.
Posts: 614 | Location: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: 02 March 2001
quote:Originally posted by Phantom Duck: In the M1917 the chamber is cut looser thatn the 1903 or later 30-06's. It is not unusual for a 1917 to close on a No-Go gauge (apply typical disclaimer and letigious bullshit here). If the size of your group increases as your charge increase, reduce your load. Check and make sure the action screws are tight and nothing is binding. If you are using a modified military stock, the sleeve on the front action screw has a tendancy to compress making it difficult to properly tighten the action screws. Make sure the stock is not warped. To improve accuracy you can try neck sizing the brass instead of full length sizing of the cartridge.
You might also try varying your bullet distance from the lands. I find this can make a large differance in accuracy in my rifles. Up against the lands isn't always the best place for accuracy. Also, try other bullet weights, perhaps your P17 jus doesn't like 168gr bullets. - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
I think you will find that your 06 will love 4895 better than the Reloader 19. Try it with both 150 and 180 grain and I think you will see a difference.
Posts: 200 | Location: Tin Top .Texas | Registered: 21 August 2001
20" groups - you got problems - Could be the scope or mounts but I doubt it - or you could have one of those rifles that likes a little forend pressure on the barrel - so - back the bullets of the lands a few thousanths, stick some business cards under the forend tip to place some pressure on the barrel and make sure action screws are secure - try the 4895 - and if none of this works do the recut the chamber and recrown thing. Somethings wrong here.
Posts: 363 | Location: Madison Alabama | Registered: 31 July 2002
I went thru that long ago with a P-17. What I mean is that we sporterized it and even corrected the headspace. This rifle was always accurate however. In the end I had a rifle that weighed over nine pounds!
So I sold it. I have sold very, very few guns. That's one of the majority that I don't miss at all.
quote:Originally posted by Phantom Duck: In the M1917 the chamber is cut looser thatn the 1903 or later 30-06's. It is not unusual for a 1917 to close on a No-Go gauge (apply typical disclaimer and letigious bullshit here). If the size of your group increases as your charge increase, reduce your load. Check and make sure the action screws are tight and nothing is binding. If you are using a modified military stock, the sleeve on the front action screw has a tendancy to compress making it difficult to properly tighten the action screws. Make sure the stock is not warped. To improve accuracy you can try neck sizing the brass instead of full length sizing of the cartridge.
quote:Originally posted by Phantom Duck: In the M1917 the chamber is cut looser thatn the 1903 or later 30-06's. It is not unusual for a 1917 to close on a No-Go gauge (apply typical disclaimer and letigious bullshit here). If the size of your group increases as your charge increase, reduce your load. Check and make sure the action screws are tight and nothing is binding. If you are using a modified military stock, the sleeve on the front action screw has a tendancy to compress making it difficult to properly tighten the action screws. Make sure the stock is not warped. To improve accuracy you can try neck sizing the brass instead of full length sizing of the cartridge.
The rifle has a different stock with the barrel free floated and action screws are tight.
quote:Originally posted by dan belisle: You might also try varying your bullet distance from the lands. I find this can make a large differance in accuracy in my rifles. Up against the lands isn't always the best place for accuracy. Also, try other bullet weights, perhaps your P17 jus doesn't like 168gr bullets. - Dan
I tied backing the bullet away from the land, the group opened up a bit so I left it against the lands. I tdoes a funny thing in that the first two rounds out of the barrel are very tight touch/ 3/8" with the third always a flier.
quote:Originally posted by rifleman1: 20" groups - you got problems - Could be the scope or mounts but I doubt it - or you could have one of those rifles that likes a little forend pressure on the barrel - so - back the bullets of the lands a few thousanths, stick some business cards under the forend tip to place some pressure on the barrel and make sure action screws are secure - try the 4895 - and if none of this works do the recut the chamber and recrown thing. Somethings wrong here.
The scope appears to be OK as the first two rounds go right where they should and with a tight group 1/2" max. the third is always a flier, about 1 1/2". Could reloader 19 be very sensitive to heat?
