Went back to the range with the .243, now what?

[Matt Black]

Here's a link to my original post: http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,149531.0.html


 I shot one group with the forend on and  the rifle rested across some rolled up towels. I had the towels under the frame just in front of the trigger gaurd. Not exactly what I'm used to, the heavy barrel seemed really muzzle heavy rested that far back. But all in the name of science, right? Ammo was 100grn Federal bought at WalMart, I can't remember Federal's name for it. It shot to different point of impact than the Winchester stuff I used last time but the group size was about the same, probably close to 3in or more. I then shot a group with the forend removed and it seemed to do better, three shots into two inches or a little less.

When I was taking the forend off and on I took a good look at it and saw a patch of dark wood that corresponded to an area of surface rust on the underside of the barrel. It's not directly under the barrel but off to one side, say 7-8 o'clock if viewed looking down the muzzle..

So what's my next step? Give the forend the sandpaper/ dowel treatment or put in a shim or an o-ring? Or run another test?

Thank you very much fellas, this is a great site!
 

[canon6]

Matt, I always go for the least troublesome correction, so go with the O ring fix, first and your rifle will tell you what IT wants, by the way a great way to learn the rifle.    Doug

[stimpylu32]

Matt

I agree that the O-ring would be the next step , I would then try a spacer made of frig magnet material under the barrel just at the nose of the forarm , that will put pressure at a diffrent point of the barrel ( 6 o'clock ) and also change the harmonic's of the barrel to a more normal up / down not side to side .

stimpy

[Matt Black]

Thanks fellas, o-ring it is. And I might play around with the fridge magnet too, but I have a question. Should the magnet wrap up the sides of the barrel at all or just a thin strip at 6 'o clock? I read about it in the FAQs but don't recollect  seeing how wide the strip should be. If I had to guess, I'd say it shouldn't wrap up the sides much at all or it would change the dynamics of the pressure exerted upwards on the barrel and I'd be right back where I started. But you know what they say about assumptions...

[quickdtoo]

A 1" square of frig magnet placed ¼" from the forend tip works great, I've used it on well over 20 barrels, very seldom does it not work. 

Tim

[henry1]

Well Matt, dont worry too much, your not the only one. I had my .243 shooting moa a few years back and I took the scope off ect. and now with the same set up she aint doin so well. The second time i went out i tried a leather washer on the barrel lug shot it that didnt work, and then the screws in the plastic shoe on the forearm loosend up and became striped. so i kinda got frusterated and bought a rubber o ring and some sand paper. I sanded her down and threw the spacer in. Would love to tell ya that she shoots better but havent made it to the range yet. hope this helps ya a bit.
Henry.