Author Topic: % of new barrels that are rough enough to affect accuracy.  (Read 656 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline cal sibley

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 319
% of new barrels that are rough enough to affect accuracy.
« on: November 18, 2005, 04:43:15 PM »
I've done load development with new rifles for years, and I can usually get decent loads and group sizes easily enough.  However, my newest rifle is a Remington 700BDL in .25-06Rem., and I can't do a thing with it.
Before taking it to the range I had the action glass bedded, the barrel floated and trigger lightened.  I figured with decent loads that should get me down around a half inch at 100yds.  That would be about par with my previous Remingtons.  I cannot get my groups down below 1 1/3" at best.  There's no sense in sending it back to Remington.  They'll just say that's acceptable accuracy.  I've had it to the range on 5 different occasions and fired about 200 rounds in it, normally well enough to break it in.  Is there anyone here who has an idea what the problem could be?  
I've heard Remington quality is going downhill and some of their barrels are terribly rough.  Maybe someone can verify that.  I have quite a few Remigtons, most of whom shoot well, but this is my last one if I simply canot improve the performance.  I'm not looking forward to shelling out a small fortune for a Hart SS barrel.  Thanks for any help.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
RIP Cal you are missed by many.

Offline cntryboy1289

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 43
hmmm
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2005, 08:55:18 PM »
Well, I would check a few things before giving up myself.  First thing I would check is the crown of the gun.  Make sure it is cut square to the bore and has no dings in it.  A bad crown will affect accuracy.  

You may just not have found the round the guns likes yet.  Just because you have an old favorite, doesn't mean your new gun will like it.  Try other brands and heavier and or lighter weight bullets as well.

You may just be suffering from having a great barrel in the past because there are guys that have guns that shoot worse for sure.  Just because you can't get the gun to shoot under a 1" group doesn't mean it isn't a good hunting rifle.  Try the things I suggested and if it still won't shoot, it still won't shoot.  There is not a thing wrong with it though.

Offline longgun

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 156
making your new Remington shoot
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2005, 01:43:32 AM »
Cal,  I've heard all sorts of horrow stories about Remington quality for a couple of years now.  Everything from crooked chambers to barrels with damaged or no riflings.  Looks things over very closely and if things look ok,  I would begin to check for copper fouling  in your barrel. Just a few shots out of a new Remington factory barrel  and you begin to see copper buildup pretty bad.  You might have to do as has been suggested, change up the brand of powder and bullets you use.  I am with you,  your rifle ought to shoot the bullets you want reasonably well,  and I wouldn't be satisfied with accuracy over 1 moa myself.  I suggest that you clean the rifle after every few shots and check for copper and just shoot it for another hundred rounds or so and see if it doesn't begin to shoot better as you get the barrel broken in.  I have had rifles that shoot very good but they have to be cleaned after every few shots or else the group starts opening up.   Don
Deactivated at member's request

Offline Nobade

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1927
% of new barrels that are rough enough to a
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2005, 04:45:25 AM »
I've been seeing quite the opposite. The quality of the Remington barrels I see is very acceptable, about like a Douglas Air Guage one. I doubt it's the barrel, but to make sure you need to check it out. First clean it well, and use Wipe-Out or something to make sure there isn't any copper in it. Now pour a chamber cast to see what it looks like. Is the throat centered? Proper size? Now pour a slug in the muzzle about 4 inches long. Push it back toward the chamber. Smooth? Goes all the way? No loose or tight spots? Measure it. Groove size correct? Push a guage pin through the bore. Proper size? Check crown with a loupe. Nice and straight? No burrs? You said it's been bedded. Is it done correctly? Can you loosen the front screw and the barrel dosen't move at all? No stress allowed here. Are the scope bases tight on the receiver? Are the rings tight in their dovetails or other mounting method? Does the scope hold zero and track properly? Does the bolt handle hit the stock? Does the magazine bind in its well? These are all things I look for when inspecting a rifle, and they all have an effect on accuracy. If you look close enough you'll find the solution, and I'd be willing to bet it's not a rough bore. (Though there is the occasional bad one!)
One other thing, how is your rest setup? Got good bags and a good bench? Is the stock tracking properly in the bags? Stuff to pay attention to.
"Give me a lever long enough, and a place to stand, and I'll break the lever."

Offline Dustee Miller

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 30
% of new barrels that are rough enough to a
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2005, 07:34:00 AM »
You might try lapping the barrel.

Offline csam

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 39
% of new barrels that are rough enough to a
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2005, 08:33:40 AM »
Sounds like the check the crown, and lap the barrel, wither by hand or firelap to smooth it out.  If you have a friend or a smith with a borescope - take a look.

Offline gunnut69

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5005
% of new barrels that are rough enough to a
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2005, 09:02:35 PM »
You might also check the front action screw. I had one that simply wouldn't shot. The front screw bottomed in it's hole. Marks in the inletting told the story. Once upon a time there was a washer under the bottom metal for the front screw. I installed one and the screw no longer bottomed out and the rifle shot the prettiest round little groups you ever saw.
gunnut69--
The 2nd amendment to the constitution of the United States of America-
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."