Horizontal Stringing
 

Well, I shot my .30-06 today with 165 grain Nosler Partions and 44 grains of IMR 3031. I tested at 100 yards. I should at the target a total of 7 times. I had 2 which I new I pulled and landed about 3" low. The remaining 5 were right at 1" high, but strung from right to left and about 1" apart the whole way across. I am not sure what could be causing this. My scope and mounts all appear to be snug, however the scope (Bushnell Sportsman 3x9 that came with the Savage) was not as clear as I have noticed in the past. That will definately need to be replaced soon!! Other than that, I am not sure what could be causinghorizontal stringing.

Any help would be great!!

Thanks!!

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

The scope is a likely culprit. Is the barrel free floated? Sometimes heat from the barrel will warp the stock to one side and put pressure on the barrel.

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Yeah, the barrel is free floated. I am thinking it could very well be the scope with lack of clarity, which could mean other things could possibly be wrong with it. I will have to find another one which I have lying around to try and confirm it. Thanks.

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

vertical stringing is often the result of barrel heating... if you had 2 low left and 3 high right but concentrated in two tight groups then i would venture to guess it was caused by the shooter... you'd be surprised how much of an impact doing small things can have on POI...

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

This is not vertical stringing. The two shots that went low, I know I pulled because the rifle slipped of the bag that I was shooting from. The others are all in a horizonatal line over about 5-6", as the same level, 1" high. This is taking shots in 45 degree weather, in two and 3 shot strings, over a course of approx. 20 minutes.

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

what kind of gun?

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Have you tried to shoot the gun since.If the scope is at fault the point of impact will most likely keep moving in the same direction until the scope reaches the windage limit.If the point of impact starts out where it started out last timeand then moves off as before it is likely a problem with the stock exerting pressure on one side of the barrel or it could be a barrel that has internalstresses.

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

The gun is a Savage 110.

I have not shot the gun since. I posted this first yesterday, not 1/2 hour after shooting. I am out of reloads now, but do have some factory loads that could tell me something about any more horizontal stringing. I may just load some of the loads I just shot (10 or so), and shoot again after cleaning the gun real good.

Thanks for everyone's help!

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Charlie brown???Did you figure it out yet?????

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Nope, haven't had a chance to reload any yet, or shoot again. My work schedule sucks, so I will check it when I can.

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Horizontal stringing is often times associated with poor bench technique. Make sure you keep the front bag pretty far back from the forearm tip and in the same place on the stock each shot, settle the buttstock straight in the rear bag, uniform pressure on your grip and load the trigger slowly. Bedding problems are much more likely to exibit vertical or horizontal strings. Good luck.

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Kinda sounds like stock pressure to me---since you say the barrel is free-floated, have you run a dollar bill betweenthe barrel and stock after shooting to see if there is still adequate clearance? I also believe Stubble is correct. You probably need to check out that scope.

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

I had a Ruger M 77 Mark 2 SS in .260 caliber that would string horizontal and then vertical. It would shoot .750 then 2.5. 1.5 then .875 then 1.0. tried two factory loads, then 5 different powders, 5 primers, four bullets, two different brand cases and two proven scopes. Then I took it to an expert custom gun maker who makes marine sniper rifles an dhe said it checked out perfect. Barrel was floated, trigger pull down to 3.5 and it would not shoot any consistant rounds no matter what you did. I even let the gun maker mount the last scope. I shot from a firm rifle rest, sand bags, fine sand bags and with the same results. So some times it isn't justa loose screw. I sold the rifle and was up front with the buyer who said he wanteda challenge. Well he got one! Haven't heard from him and he won't answer my e mails! But I told him it was a nightmare!

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Charllie brown,i think Roskoe is right, i would go to the scope as well as being your problem. go from that avenue to check out first. A lot of scopes out there now at good prices. vangunsmith:eek:

RE: Horizontal Stringing
 

Charlie, give me the gun, I'll shoot it for ya.
I think it is probably the scope. Those Bushnell Sportsman scopes aren't the "top of the line" as we all know. Every one of my Savage's shoot great right out of the box. It may sound a bit silly, but check the rifle's screws holding it on the stock. They may need to be snugged up (action/bedding pressue may be varying. I don't know it it would matter a whole lot but you never know and it won't hurt.