Author Topic: Why do bullets climb and then group? (Read 1356 times)

longwinters · « **on:** August 17, 2003, 08:16:05 AM »

My Encore, 7M-08 24" blue, will group like crazy . . . after 3-4 shots. The 1st shot will be right on the bull. Next . . 2" higher. Next . . . 4" higher and then it will group MOA all day ( 4" high). I have sanded out the forend so the only contact is where the screws attach to the barrel. I have tried different bullets, powder loads etc... always the same. This rifle will shoot 3 shot groups that you can cover up with a dime, but I do not know what to do. I dont think asking my quarry to wait until I heat up my barrel will work

Any ideas? :?

Long

quicksdraw45 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2003, 10:38:11 AM »

Sounds more like your barrel needs to be fouled thatn warmed up , Mine is the same way - I start with a perfectly clean bore and shoot 3-4 fouling shots then start shooting groups.

onesonek · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2003, 10:39:46 AM »

Do you always start with a clean bore? I have a few barrels that have similar habits. When I'm doing load work or sight in for hunting, I fire 2 or 3 fouling shots to settle in the barrel. Then do my sight adjustments. For hunting season, I don't clean untill the season is over, or accuracy falls off. I learned this lesson from the benchrest shooters. And since do the same for all my firearms.

onesonek

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2003, 01:18:21 PM »

I have read that before. I have not cleaned this barrel thinking that maybe that was the problem. Still no go. :?

long

onesonek · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2003, 03:23:05 PM »

was it the same before sanding the forend?

223Larry · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2003, 04:56:16 PM »

Try only using the back mounting screw and floating the front screw.Rest the back of the forarm on the sandbag when shooting off the bench.

PJ · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2003, 05:10:24 PM »

How tight are your forend screws..? :?

Just snug them..... DON'T OVER DO IT!!!! I put a little bow string wax on the threds this helps hold it so they don't come lose under recoil but, is easy to clean out if need be.

longwinters · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2003, 10:25:43 AM »

Onesonek, I sanded it 1st thing when I got it . . . thought I would save time before shooting it :oops: :oops: Maybe I should have looked before I leaped, but figured so many guys did this that I would just go ahead.

PJ, The screws were not tight. In fact I snugged them up (did not reef on them) thinking maybe that was part of the problem. No difference in shot placement . . . although the barrel was still warm from previous shooting.

223 Larry, I suppose that would come close to a true free floating barrel. But I want to hunt whitetail with this rifle. Maybe I will have to go to a hanger system . . . but shooting higher still doesnt make sense to me. :?

Thanks for the imput guys! I appreciate it.

long

onesonek · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2003, 12:20:06 PM »

Maybe try pressure pointing the forend tip. If that don't do anything, I don't know what to say. Try a stress relief treatment.

:? onesonek

globemountain · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2003, 06:35:37 AM »

I have a 7mm08 24" blue that does the same thing.......puzzling....

longwinters · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2003, 12:10:28 PM »

Globe, I ended up making a phone call to Thompson and then sending it in. I had a new barrel back in about a week and a half. This one is a shooter . . . even with a cold barrel.

long

Wildwilly · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2003, 09:39:29 AM »

I've read that freezing a barrel will take the stress out of the metal and get great groups.

globemountain · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2003, 04:38:41 AM »

Problem solved......a gun won't group with a loose scope ring.........(boy, do I feel stupid...)