Author Topic: Help on Vertical Stringing.  (Read 856 times)

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Offline STUMPJMPR

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Help on Vertical Stringing.
« on: November 14, 2010, 03:46:08 PM »
I have an older Ruger M77 in .270.  I don't ever recall the rifle shooting super great, but it was ok for hunting.  This gun flooded in Katrina, it cleaned up ok.  After Katrina I never could get it to group.  Finally, last year I noticed alot of pressure on the barrel when I put the stock back on, the stock had warped.  I relieved the stock around the barrel and it settled down in the 1.5 - 2" range for a 3 shot group.  My dad surprised me this year by having it refinished.  I took it to the range and now I am having a time with it vertical stringing.  Horizontal spread is less than 2" while the vertical spread is around 8".  The barrel is still floated but after I shoot a piece of paper will not pass under the barrel.  Should I take out more wood?

Offline saddlebum

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing.
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2010, 01:24:37 AM »
Yep, break out the sand paper. If your handy at all and like to do hobby projects, you might want to get a Brownells bedding kit and glass bed the action. With a floating barrel and un-bedded action there is always the chance of it being loose or working loose. You might wind up shrinking your groups on top of stopping the stringing.

Oh, and if you do decide to bed it, do that first before you sand down the barrel channel any more. It works better.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing.
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2010, 03:18:11 AM »
Another option would be a nice after market stock in syn or lam.
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing.
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2010, 03:19:50 AM »
Depending on amount of moisture in the stock trapped by refinishing it could continue to move around for some time .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline STUMPJMPR

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing.
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2010, 03:48:12 AM »
I will try relieving the stock some more.  It's far from perfect with the barrel channel inletting.  When I first relieved it the pressure on one side of the barrel was so tight I had to take off a lot of wood off of one side.  It's not a show piece rifle just a deer killer.  It does have a little sentimental value though.  When I'm done.  I'll seal it back with some Polyurethane or Tru-oil. 

Offline Mikey

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing.
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2010, 12:59:04 AM »
Stumpjmpr:  deer killer, show piece or sentimental really doesn't matter - the stock is warped, most likely beyond effective repair and should be replaced.  You often see this will mil-surp rifles picked up off the battlefield with stocks so warped it is difficult to even mount the barrelled action into the stock.

I would find a nice aftermarket stock, wood or synthetic is your choice but you will need to bed the action to either stock to get it to shoot accurately.  I would also free-float the barrel - there is no reason why your Remington should not cluster its shots under 1" at 100 yds.  Your verticle stringing is due to increased pressure, somewhere along the barrel, as it heats up.  Some Rems have a high point in the barrel channel of the stock that is supposed to help with accuracy but I have always removed mine and free-floated the barrel and been much happier for it.  

If you get another stock, whether wood or synthetic, and you intend to free-float the barrel, you may wish to assure that it has more than just a one dollar bill thickness of relief; I usually use a matchbook cover or a 3x5 card and make certain there are no obstructions or that there is no roughness under that barrel and I always poly or tung oil or otherwise seal the barrel channel.

I like the bedding compound sold by Brownells, but not the AccraGlass - stuff is too liquid for me.  I prefer the stuff that comes in two tubes that you have to mix together - it gives me more time to work with it before it sets up.  And do not forget the 'release agent' or you will bond the stock to the rifle forever - I use a soft automotive paste wax and spread it on thickly, let it dry and buff it off, then put on another coat - it works great and when you are through both the action and barrel are waxed well for weather protection.  All this is jmtcw but I hth.  Good luck.

Offline Swampman

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing.
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2010, 04:30:32 AM »
Rugers are tough to bed.  It may or may not shoot better free floated.  I wouldn't replace the stock if the refinish job is nice.
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Offline STUMPJMPR

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing.
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2010, 07:16:33 AM »
Well, I floated the barrel.  Now I'm getting about a 3 1/2" group. that's 5 shots.  I didn't clean the barrel before I went back out.  Not sure what the problem is.  I am going to try some different bullets next time out.  I'm looking into bedding my action now and maybe having my crown re-cut.  I hate my dad spent the money having it refinished and now it doesn't shoot.

Offline STUMPJMPR

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Re: Help on Vertical Stringing. Problem Solved.
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2010, 01:26:42 PM »
I cleaned the barrel today and switched to 130gr winchester power points.  I shot a 7/8" 3 shot group.   I think my gun doesn't like the federal premiums anymore.