I just picked up a Ruger 1B in 25-06. It is a very nice rifle. I took it to the range after putting a a new Leupold VX-II 4-12 on it. I am getting 3 shot groups that are only 1/2" wide but string vertically about 2". This is with Remington Factory core lokts, 100gr. Does any one have an idea about what can be done to elminate the vertical string? I am open for ideas. I want to get more of a group than a string! The gun seems like it wants to shoot well, but needs some help.

[ 04-17-2003, 04:13: Message edited by: Iron Buck ]

Vertical stringing is almost always due to pressure deviation. You may want to try a different ammo.

To be sure it's pressure, you could chronograph it and see what your standard deviation is. That would tell you for sure whether or not that's it.

Hi Iron Buck:

I have several No. 1s and have had vertical stringing problems with all of them which have sporter-weight barrels. It is usually caused by excessive pressure on the barrel from the foreend. Lots of guys tighten foreend screws way too tight. One of my No. 1s shot 9" low at 100 yards when I removed the foreend screw! It took two hands on the screwdriver and a good grunt to loosen it.

There are several ways to treat this: Hicks device (available from E. Arthur Brown Co.), drilling and tapping the foreend mounting extension, etc. I have had excellent results from just making a small spacer, usually an aluminum washer, and placing it between the foreend and the mounting extension, so that when the foreend screw is snugged up there is a small space between the foreend and the barrel. This is a heathen tactic, I know, but it works. Some guys do it much more professionally and then glass bed, etc. Whichever route you choose, it makes a tremendous difference in accuracy.

Ruger No. 1s forever ....

Iron Buck,

In my experience the best way to handle this problem is to glass bed the forearm to the hanger and then sand down the pressure pad on the forearm.

All the pressure techniques still allow the forearm pressure to vary with sling pressure and are more sensitive to shooting off of hard surfaces.

If you should decide to try the Hicks route PM me and I'll sell you one for 1/2 of what you can find it for anywhere else or I'll sell you 2 for the price of one.

Best of luck,

TBP

Just put the washer in there first. Never mind glass bedding! I use a plastic faucet washer. Drill a bigger hole in it and whittle it to shape.

Would not hurt to change the ammo and to make sure the scope rings are tight.

I agree w/savage 99 I put a Hicks on mine and it corrected the problem but the washer does the same thing for less money.w/regards

You've got sdome food advioce alrewady. Let meadd an extra point.

I find that placement of the front support at the range can make a difference with two piece stocks. Move the support towards the action and keep it away from the end of the forearm. Play with it and the vetical stringing can be reduced a bit more.

Oh, and if you use a sling as support in your field shooting also use it at the range. 1B

Bed the forearm to the hanger and float the barrel. I work on a lot of #1s and this is a very common problem. The washer will work temporarily, but is not a proper fix for the problem.

Another vote for bedding to the hanger and floating the barrel. All five of mine are done that way and it is the best, sure fire way to get the No. 1 shooting well. Also, on the rear of the forend, make sure the sides of the forend are not contacting the front edge of the receiver. The forend should only contact the rifle where you glass bed it to the hanger and on the bottom of the forend where it makes contact with the receiver. I glass bed this area also, but you should have a gap of 1/16 inch between wood and receiver on the sides.

Thanks for all the advice! I never expected to get so much. I will experiment with this rifle over the next few weeks and let you know what works best. I will try the simple solutions first and work from there. I can't help but think that this gun will be able to group well, with a side to side group that is so small and consistent if I can cut the vertcal string down I should have a great shooter to go along with the great looks of the #1. As is it would be a good big game gun. If i can cut the groups down I will use it for some groundhog hunting as well.