Will this hurt anything?

[flinginairos]

So, I got my new 7mm-08 barrel set up the other night. After getting it all together I noticed that the barrel had a little bit of play side to side, not much, but enough to bug me I took it out and shot it a total of 28 times and my best group with factory Remington Core-Lok was 2" at 100. I shot it all the way out to 300 and was hitting a 10"X10" steel plate every shot. After I got back I took some aluminum tape and put a couple thin strips on the inside of the frame where the barrel lays. This took out pretty much all of the play and it feels very solid. Will this hurt anything? The hinge pin is too loose and I can push it out with my fingers. I went ahead and ordered a 1X hinge pin in hopes that it would tighten things up a bit. Will the tape hurt anything or should I shoot it and not worry? Thanks!

[pozoutdoors]

I don't think will hurt anything as long as it locks up properly!!! My old encore I use to have was the same way!! It had lots of slop in it!! I did put a 1x oversized hinge pin in it and it worked great!! The new frame I have now is tight and doesn't need the oversized hinge pin!! Good luck!!!

[Graybeard]

Side to side play when open is not a concern. If it has play when closed and locked then it's time to worry. Toss that over size pin in the trash when it arrives and forget you wasted the money prior to asking about it. It is not needed, not helpful and might actually hurt. I would remove the shim as well as it is just not necessary.

[flinginairos]

Side to side play when open is not a concern. If it has play when closed and locked then it's time to worry. Toss that over size pin in the trash when it arrives and forget you wasted the money prior to asking about it. It is not needed, not helpful and might actually hurt. I would remove the shim as well as it is just not necessary.

I have to ask, what is so bad about the 1X hinge pin? I do know that I WILL NOT ream out my frame to take anything bigger. I figured the 1X pin would be fine and if it wont go in I wont force anything to make it go. It has hardly any play when locked up with a shell in it so its probably not a big deal. I probably need to worry about finding the right load for it over anything. I have a good friend that is going handload for me, I just have to get him a few supplies. He is very familiar with these guns and he said he can get it under 1" at 100. I sure hope he is right

[Hopalong7]

2" at 100 yards with factory ammo(non-premium at that) for the first time out is pretty darn good at my house!!!  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[Grumulkin]

I use 1X hinge pins with some barrels but I can't swear that they do any good; they don't hurt anything either.

As noted above, 2 inches at 100 yards with factory loads ain't bad.

[no guns here]

Try it and see.  The foil won't hurt anything as long as it locks up properly.  The hinge pin MAY help, may not but it won't hurt anything.  It shouldn't be so loose as to fall out or work it's way out when shooting.  Try another barrel... if it's loose too, then you might want to have the frame looked at.  Two inches aren't bad groups at all but probably not as good as could be had with a tight frame/barrel.

ngh

[flinginairos]

Thanks guys! I am going to try it again this weekend with different ammo. I got some Hornady 139 Gr Light Mag SST to try out. I also have a buddy that is going to reload for me so I am confident that I will get the results I am after. If I can get a solid 1" group I will be happy. I will let you guys know how it goes

[encore3006]

 

[flinginairos]

I got my 1X pin yesterday and it seemed to help out a good bit. I had to lightly tap it in with a screwdriver handle were as the other one I could push in easily with my finger. The barrel seems tight now with no play. I will be taking it to the range on saturday to see what the groups look like. I think ammo selection is going to help groups more than the hinge pin, but at least I know it cant move now I will let you guys know how it goes!