The ORB

I went to the range again last night with my new Rem 700 ADL .30-06. So far I have been amazed at its accuracy, as in the couple of times I have shot it, it has given consintant 1"-1.5" groups of five at 100 yds outdoors with cheap factory ammo. In fact it has also shot a couple of 0.5" groups of three, although it is probably my inexperience that is the limiting factor. However last night I had a problem, I started by shooting a group of 5 in a nice 1.25" group although about 1 inch down and to the right of the bull, so I adjusted the scope a couple of clicks and then changed the target. Next session i fired a lot more rounds (maybe 15-16 in a few minutes) and again tweaked the scope a couple of settings. the last shots were bang on the bull. Great I thought. I then waited a few minutes for the end of the session changed the target again and prepared to fire my last five rounds, expecting a nice group right in the bull. Unfortunately I got a nice group but this time about an 1.5" high and to the right!? I figured it must be my Simmons Aetec scope not holding zero but the range master said it was more likely because my barrel had heated up alot on the previous session and then cooled down again before these final shots, causing it to go off target slightly. Sorry for the long winded story, but can anyone confirm if this is a known issue with the 700 ADL, and if so is there anything that can be done or should I just live with it. I guess in the field overheating wont be a problem, but it makes it hard to get the scope zeroed precisely.
Thanks for any advice.<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

bigcountry

Usually, with pressure points and hot barrels, you will see the groups stringing, not just changing their zero. Definately look at the scope, rings and mounts. Also, after shooting, I always torque down the screws to 34 in/lbs on the stock. I was told by remington that this is the spec for BDL SS with synthetic stock. If these loosen up, then your zero might change.

I really would suggest breaking in the barrel on a new gun. In the last few months, I have bought two used guns at a steal where the owners said they shot ok at first but wouldn't hit the broadside of a barn after 50 rounds. Basically, they didn't get the copper out. so after 1 hour of sweets and a few hundred patchs, I have a MOA shooter. Might want to slow down your shots too if testing for accuracy. let the barrel cool between 3 to 4 rounds at a time. Saves the life of your barrel I am told.

Edited by - bigcountry on 02/07/2002 11:54:44

BigBob

THE ORB,
I'd suspect the barrel bedding. I always glass bed the action and the chamber area of the barrel, and free float the rest of the barrel channel. This always seems to do the trick. The most resent rifle I've been working on is a Remington M-700 BDL in .30-06. I've worked up a load of 59.5 grains of H-4350, CCI BR2 primers, Winchester cases and the 165 grain Sierra spitzer boattail. MV is 2830 fps. Five shot at a hundred yards, center to center, measure .247&quot; from a benchrest. A very important benefit is that the bullet prints the same from a cold clean bore as it does from a warm dirty bore. Glassbedding may just be the cure to your problem. I hope that this is of some help. Good luck.

The ORB

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try it out a couple more times at the range and see if I still have the same problem, then maybe take it to a gunsmith for some work on the barrel.

Thanks again.

LARRY338

Big Bob is right Orb, a properly bedded rifle will put the first shot out of a clean cold barrel right in the group. If you have another scope though, I might try that too, parallax can cause odd shifts in zero, though not by very much. An inch or so at 100 is entirely possible and I personally wouldnt trust that simmons. If its the barrel heating up against some barrel channel contact, it should walk back to zero after four or five shots just like bigcountry said.