Well, I have always complained that my 7400 would change POI all the time depending the screw on the forarm and how hard its tightened down. Well, I finally decided to see if I can do anything about it. The gun shoots well and never jams. I have had it for almost 16 years now.
Ok, well first, my forearm is synthetic since I busted my old stock. Anyway, if you take your forarm screw out, you will see that the forearem is firmly pushing against the action but the screw screws into the barrel/gas port and on my gun a gap between the front of the forearm and the gas port/screw hole. Well what happens is the tighter the screw, it pulls the barrel and the looser well you know.
So to test this, I put a small spacer kit between the gasport/screw hole/barrel assembly and the forearm. I did this just enough so you was not pulling or pushing the barrel anymore but the back of the forearm was not pushing against the action any more. I just added enough spacers to where when you tightened the screw its independent of how tight you do it.
Well, it worked. I went to the range and loosened the forearm screw and shot 1.5" group with handloads then did the same with the screw tight as you can get it. Only thing is basically your forearm is totally connected to the barrel/gas port assemply and putting unneessesary force up or down is going to affect things (not sure how you would do that anyway).
What I plan to do instead of spaces is take a dremel tool and cut out part of the forearm or put some glass in the front.
doe, if you have access to belt sander, you could make your own washer to space the forearm. 1/8" would be more than plenty. To see if that is your issue. Take the forearm screw out and if you can feel the front not touching the barrel/gas port/screw hole at all, you know your pulling or pushing the barrel.
I found with my Rem. 7400 was that as soon as the barrel would get hot the grouping was terrible but when I would shoot under very cold conditions the grouping was much better. I don"™t have to worry about it any more since I sold it last year.
Yea, sorry bud, they gun has sentimental value to me and has killed more deer than I can remember. And never jammed and actually shoots not bad with 1.1-1.5" groups with 130gr gamekings and 54-55gr of IMR 4350.
Oh no, I am not emotional about my 7400. No offense taken at all. Now 16 years ago when it was my one and only deer gun, that would have been fighten words.
7400 Owners
