Reason why I ask is that I had a .270 Rem. 700 (2002 model-synthetic stock) glass-bedded, barrel floated, and the trigger pull reduced from 7lbs down to 3lbs. Prior to this I had acceptable grouping (1.5" @ 100 yds). The gunsmith that did the work is well-known for his craft. In addition, I had him mount a new Leupold VXIII on the gun (with new Leupold STD one-piece base and rings). Since the work was done, the gun appears to have a mind of it's own, shooting left, right, high, low of my aiming point at 100yds. The groups went from 1.5" prior to the work to 4-5" at 100yds (same bullet). At first, I re-mounted the scope, base, and rings myself, making sure everything was tight. Again - at the range -- same result. I find myself chasing my POI with my scope. What doesn't make sense is that when I change my windage or elevation, say 2 clicks (1/4 moa)--- my shot goes off as far as 4 inches from the intended target. FWIW - I am used to shooting - alot. I de-foul my barrel every 15 shots, and I am holdling true to the target EVERY SHOT. Any ideas??
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Mighty Mite VFT, Muzzy ZE Rest, 260g Gold Tip XT' s/Feathers, Magnus Stinger 100g, No Peep with a bored peep, King Cobra sight, limbsavers, Cat Whisker string silencers, Vibracheck stabilizer, String loop, Scott release, 29 inch DL, 62 lb, 283 fps.
Sounds as if your action screws are either loose or worked the stock loose. Even though its glass bedded, this can happen. One thing you can so is take a old credit card and slide it underneath the forearm. Or something stiffer. See how it shoots.
One thing I notice when freefloating a barrel, you got to let it cool every two rounds. Try letting it cool 10min between shots.
After you check the easy stuff like the action screws, you may want to try a different scope that you KNOW is "good" to rule OUT the "new one" as part or all of the problem,
Bigcountry and Drilling Man bring up good points that you will want to rule out. I'd sure be suspicious of the actions screws, scope and mounts, but...
Some rifles, however, need some fore-end pressure to shoot well, especially light, whippy, tapered hunting barrels. All rifles will behave somewhat differently, even different specimens of the same make and model. You might try putting a matchbook cover under the fore-end to see if this helps stabilize it.
I had a Ruger M77 MkII .30-06 that went from bad (3" groups) to horrible (5"+ groups) when I floated the barrel. Others with this same rifle have floated the barrel and enjoyed much better accuracy.
My gunsmith and I tried a bunch of different things over a couple of years with that rifle, all to no avail. I ended up getting rid of it. Too bad, I loved that rifle, just couldn't shoot it in public. I have several other rifles that shoot very well with the right handloads so I'm over it, but it sure is a shame when your rifle turns into a puzzle you can't figure out. Hope the new owner can sort it out.
I find myself chasing my POI with my scope. What doesn't make sense is that when I change my windage or elevation, say 2 clicks (1/4 moa)--- my shot goes off as far as 4 inches from the intended target.
Sounds to me you may have a bad scope. Do a DM said and mount a known scope and try again at the range.
However glass bedding and free floating a rifle may or may not improve accuracy with a specific load. When you bed a rifle and free float a barrel that was once toughing the stock, like Remington, you change the harmonics of the barrel. It may open up groups with a specific load or it may tighten them up considerably.
What it will do is greatly improve the consistancy of the rifle. Where as "X" load printed 1" on a dry cold day but opened up to 2" on hot and very humid day, it will now consistantly group the same, or very close to, regardless of the weather conditions.
You may have to find another load that your gun likes now that you have changed the way it "acts" when a bullet is traveling down the bore.
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If you rest the stock on a bench rest or bipod you will have little if any changes. DO NOT rest the barrel on your sandbags, bipod or a tree limb for support while shooting. This will definately make a difference in impact.
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I have had several little problem children like this through my shop over the years. I agree with everyone else about checking the guard screws and scope base/mount screws. Then eliminate the scope as a possible source of problem - unlikely with a Leupold VXIII, but possible. If none of the above sheds any light on its sudden change of behavior, see if any of your aquantainces have a H-S Precision stock for a Rem 700 Long Action. Put your barreled action/scope in this stock - check to make sure its free floated - torque guard screws to 65 inch pounds - and see if that helps. If it doesn't, then the gun probably is one of those that needs fore-end pressure. If it does, then the bedding job is not right - maybe rocking on the magazine box? Did the smith put in the aluminum pillars or just add some glass to the Remington plastic stock? Roskoe
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Thanks for all of ya'll insight.... I will try all of the above, one at a time to determine the cause. I sure hope it's not the scope - that is one of the clearest, crisp scopes I have ever looked through!
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Mighty Mite VFT, Muzzy ZE Rest, 260g Gold Tip XT' s/Feathers, Magnus Stinger 100g, No Peep with a bored peep, King Cobra sight, limbsavers, Cat Whisker string silencers, Vibracheck stabilizer, String loop, Scott release, 29 inch DL, 62 lb, 283 fps.
B/C nailed it!
I tightened my action screws and I am back at 1" groups. The scope now adjusts to true 1/4" clicks. I sighted in 2.5" high at 100yds, and shot a 1.2" 5-shot group. Thanks to all who gave insight to my problem - you guys are the best!!
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Mighty Mite VFT, Muzzy ZE Rest, 260g Gold Tip XT' s/Feathers, Magnus Stinger 100g, No Peep with a bored peep, King Cobra sight, limbsavers, Cat Whisker string silencers, Vibracheck stabilizer, String loop, Scott release, 29 inch DL, 62 lb, 283 fps.
Can Floating a barrel have negative effects?
