Accuracy Question
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: West Sunbury Pa USA
Posts: 90
Accuracy Question
While I was sighting in my new .300 WSM Winchester Model 70 yesterday, I had something happen that I haven't had before.
I was taking a lot of time between shots, and cleaning after each one and letting it cool. when I finally got it where I wanted it, I went ahead and fired a 3 shot group. It strung the 3 shots out righht to left. 1st shot right no the money, 2nd shot about 1 inch left, 3rd shot about 3/4" left. I let the gun cool down and cleaned it again. Fired second group, smae exact thing. My vertical point of impact is staying right whre I want it, but it's stringing right to left.
The gun is a Model 70 Laminate Stock .300WSM shooting 180 Grain Winchester Factory Ammo (Plain Silver Box)
Any ideas or potential fixes ?
I was taking a lot of time between shots, and cleaning after each one and letting it cool. when I finally got it where I wanted it, I went ahead and fired a 3 shot group. It strung the 3 shots out righht to left. 1st shot right no the money, 2nd shot about 1 inch left, 3rd shot about 3/4" left. I let the gun cool down and cleaned it again. Fired second group, smae exact thing. My vertical point of impact is staying right whre I want it, but it's stringing right to left.
The gun is a Model 70 Laminate Stock .300WSM shooting 180 Grain Winchester Factory Ammo (Plain Silver Box)
Any ideas or potential fixes ?
#2
RE: Accuracy Question
most people that shoot comp. shoot a few fouling shots, read this post maybe it will help, myself after i do a thorough cleaning i fire 3 throw away shots. hope this helps some.
http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=809438
http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=809438
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Iron Mountain, MI
Posts: 36
RE: Accuracy Question
I definately agree that you need to use up to 3 fouling shots. If however this does not completely clear up the problem (I'm suspicious of the horizontal pattern) then you may have a problem with the barrel itself having some internal stresses that are showing up as the barrel is heated. This can be corrected with cryo-freezing. See this link: http://www.diversifiedcryogenics.com/gunbarrels.htm
Here's a quote from that site:
Edit: If I recall correctly, Gander Mountain offers this cryogenic service as well.
Here's a quote from that site:
Cryo-Accurizing relieves stress in firearm barrels through deep cryogenic tempering. Stresses cause a barrel to bend or warp as it heats from repeated firing -- warping causes walking, stringing or wandering in the shot group. Deep cryogenic tempering process relieves internal stress in the firearm so the barrel will no longer bend or warp. In addition, your firearm will be easier to clean and give you increased performance, increased accuracy and extended barrel life.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 82
RE: Accuracy Question
I agree with the cryo suggestion.
I know two guys that did it with their shotguns and it really helped.
Also just check to see if the barrel hits the stock. (floating) I had a 7mm that was throwing bullets also. When the barrel was floated (buy me with a dremill tool and yes it was a "hack job" but I digress) It then shot very well. It seemed to throw them on shots 4 & 5 for me.
I know two guys that did it with their shotguns and it really helped.
Also just check to see if the barrel hits the stock. (floating) I had a 7mm that was throwing bullets also. When the barrel was floated (buy me with a dremill tool and yes it was a "hack job" but I digress) It then shot very well. It seemed to throw them on shots 4 & 5 for me.
#5
RE: Accuracy Question
Sounds like you may have a problem with the bedding of your rifle. But first you could try a different type of ammo to see if it makes a difference. If you are using your rifle for hunting then most first hunting shots are shot from a clean cold barrel so thats how you want to know your bullet react. Fouling shots are used on the range for competion shooting but seldom are they used before hunting as this could require leaving your rifle dirty for days on end or firing a couple of shots each morning.
Best Wishes
Best Wishes
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 776
RE: Accuracy Question
Agreed, sounds like you have a bedding problem. Try some different ammo, but I suspect you'll find similar results as the barrel warms up. You'll have two options -
call Winchester, and maybe send the rifle back for correction, or glass bed the action, and free float the barrel.
call Winchester, and maybe send the rifle back for correction, or glass bed the action, and free float the barrel.