Forearm/magazine tension?

[Rum River]

I bought a pre-cross bolt .444 with peep sights, Lee dies, 100 rounds unfired brass and 100 rounds of Remington factory 240 grainers for $350. Always wanted one of these, glad I finally have one.

Groups at 100 yards were erratic, 4"-8". Tried resting only the receiver on the bags with same results. One step at a time, tried removing the forearm cap, the forearm, and finally the magazine, always resting on the receiver.

When the magazine was removed, groups shrunk to 2" and stayed there. I don't think that's too bad for factory ammunition and peep sights.

Has anyone else out there had a similar experience? I haven't started putting things back together yet, I figure as I assemble I'll watch for any binding and adjust accordingly.

[John Y Cannuck]

Somewhat typical of lever guns with tube mags. You should be able to file off some metal from the inside of the tube bands, and remove some from the magazine plug screw as well. Very small amounts only, until the mag will just move freely, and slightly. Too much, and the mag will launch itself out the front of your firearm under recoil.
The forearm can also be treated with a dowel and some sandpaper on the inside, and some very carefull whittling under the band on the outside, until it too moves very slightly. This is as close as you can get to free floating a tube fed lever gun.
One of my Winchester '94's went from 4" to 2" groups using this method, and has once shot an incredible .75" group (5 shot too!  :eek: )

[Dee]

Johns info on correcting the problem is absolutely correct.

[Tycer]

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/chapter23.htm

Accurizing leverguns by Paco Kelly

[Tycer]

Interesting (to me), my crossbolt safety Win 94 Trapper .357 has a pin, not a screw locating the end of the mag, and the band does not bind on the barrel-only the mag, and the forearm only contacts the barrel at the band. All looks to be factory, although some smithing was done on her action before I bought her.

[John Y Cannuck]

The test, for any two piece stock, tube mag gun, is to strip it to barrelled action and butstock. If it shoots better, then the proceedure is likely to help. If it doesn't, something else may be wrong.