Very poor grouping with 7mm-08. Any help here?

[BoneDigger]

I finally got the gun fixed by H&R (not ejecting) and got it out to the range for my first real sight in with a Handi-rifle.  The caliber is 7mm-08 and I am using a Redfield scope.  The best group I could acheive was 5 inches at 100 yards.

I was using factory Winchester Powerpoint ammo (140 gr).  I first boresighted with a laser bore sighter and had it one th paper at 50 yards.  I adjusted the sights to put me in the bullseye at 50 yards and then went to 100 yards.  At 100 yards Ijust simply could not get it to group better than 5 inches.  Now, I'm no expert at this and I wasn't allowing the barrel to cool down between groups.  But, it still should be better than that right?

What ammo have you guys found that shoots best in the 7mm-08 or Handi-Rifles in general?

Todd

[quickdtoo]

I have a 7mm-08 barrel, but haven't shot it yet.....but I will say that each rifle is an individual and may not shoot well with ammo that in another works fine. Try several different types of ammo until you find one that works good. I went thru 6 different factory loads before I found a couple that shoot good in my .243 Ultra, sometimes it just takes a bit of experimenting. IIRC, the Remington 140gr core-lokts shoot good in the 7mm-08, for starters.

[Mac11700]

Don't know how you shoot or your cleaning methods..but I certainly would lap the bore on it..and float the barrel in the forearm...not to mention completely flushing out the receiver for gunk on the trigger...a smooth trigger makes mine shoot much better...also...make sure your following thru all the way with the trigger...other than that...check your scope/mounts/rings and see if they are loose...5" groups aren't the norm for most Handi's I've seen or owned...you could even have a burr up on the crown with it...Even though these rifles don't cost a-lot...not following normal barrel break in procedures isn't wise ...and your poor accuracy could just be the result of it...you have to let the barrel cool between groups...the 7-08 isn't fluted nor is it a bull barrelled varmint rig...clean it all the way down with a foaming bore cleaner...and try again...clean in between shots of 3...completely...this should allow the barrel to cool...I would do this at-least 5 times after hand lapping it.

Mac

[coop2564]

You didnt say how many shot you have fired through it yet. I had simular problem with my 308 barrel but after about 30 rounds and a through cleaning after each group I'm now getting 1.25 three shot groups but after only about ten shots I tried a group and it was about 5'' but each group and cleaning afterwards decreased the group size. These barrel's seem to require more breakin than most.  

[cwlongshot]

A firearm can be much like a person. Each having different personalities, likes and dislikes.
 We could purchase two identical rifles with serial numbers one digit apart and most likely they would shoot identical bullets differently.

As stated 5" is FAR from the norm. Try different brands and bullet weights. Do you hand load? If so there are many other things to try. Neck sizing, OAL legnths as well as many more styles and weights of bullets.

The suggestion for a through cleaning and muzzle inspection are very good and I mirror those suggestions.

Good luck,
 CW

[BoneDigger]

Thanks for the info guys.  As of right now, the gun has approximately 7- bullets through it, almost all of which have been Winchester PowerPoints.  I am going to try the Remington Core-Lokt bullets next and see what happens.  I gave the gun a good cleaning after I bought it and ran a patch through it at the range the other day.  But, I'll give it another good cleaning before going to the range this week.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Todd

[aulrich]

Check the scope base make sure it is tight (do know how many times I been caught on that).

[quickdtoo]

Polishing/lapping the bore will decrease the range time greatly and improve accuracy much faster than just shooting. It will also remove any jacket fouling. Check out all the stickys!! :wink:

[Couger]

Good comments - as i think I agree with all of them.

Don't be surprised if you had to shoot your barrel at least 100 times OR MORE before it really settled down.  Its not uncommon for even the best custom bolt guns to need to be shot that much too.

But to satisfy your dilemma, maybe the folowing;

#1 - follow the usual recommended break-in procedures for a new barrel about cleaning it FREQUENTLY evey other shot, then every ten shots, etc.

#2 - RELOAD for it! Don't rely on factory loads.  Plus you'll stretch your shooting $$$ as you tailor-make your own custom ammo for your INDIVIDUAL rifle.

#3 - Have the trigger adjusted if it needs it.

#4 - Get the barrel floated if necessary as someone suggested.

#5 - and theis is very radical if you have to get to this point, take it to a local gunsmith you like and trust and possibly have ir re-crwoned.

[BoneDigger]

Excellent suggestions one and all. I meant to write that it had 70 rounds through it, not 7-. Not sure where that came from...

I am going to switch to Remington bullets for now and see how they group. I did clean the barrel between box 1 and box 2 of bullets, so between every 20 bullets or so, but not every three to four shots. I think that the hot barrel may also have contributed to the poor grouping. But, 5 inches seems pretty bad.

I am going to try hitting the range on Tuesday and I'll see how it does then. I'll post again after that trip.

Todd in TX