MORE Grouping Problems!!! This time in 7mm-08!!!

[broguearcher]

I bought this Handi Rifle about three years ago. It was .243 back then..... the rifle was never a good shooter.... always wildly inconsistent. Would group ok and then be WAY off next shot or next time out shooting with it. Eventually I noticed that the barrel was not locking up tight and that it had a good bit of wiggle room. I read up on this issue and learned that this barrel was "bad" in a sense and knew that short of drastic fixes, I would need to get a new barrel.

So, over the winter, I sent the gun to NEF and had it fitted with a 7mm-08 barrel. It has a very tight fit and closes up SOLIDLY now. I've been pretty excited about the idea of using it for deer this year. Took it out for the first time yesterday to shoot at the range. Bought a new box of 140 gr. Core Lokts to shoot..... (BTW - why they so dang expensive!!?? - $18.99 at Wal mart!!).

Bore sighted it at the bench and then started shootin.... was high at first but I got in on paper with two shots..... however, the same old issues SEEM to be coming up.... at one point, it put a round virtually down the pipe and then next one was about 6-8" high!!! The LAST three shots did form about a 2.5-3" group at 105 yards..... only fired 6 rounds and then had to leave.... I'm quite concerned though.

The scope on it is no masterpiece.... HOWEVER, I know it to be fine shooting optic.... had it on my Remington .270 last season and it was a tack driver.

When I got home I took the scope off the base and checked the tightness of the factory installed base..... was SO tight I would have broken the Allen wrench or stripped the heads out if I were to have pushed harder.

So, if this problem continues next time out what am I to think???!!! The barrel IS brand new..... and I did also notice that after the first 4 or so rounds the barrel was a bit warm..... I waited for it to cool a bit before taking my last two shots. Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks!

[FLNT4EVR]

Just 2 possible fixes. It's a brand new barrel so did you clean it good before shooting it for the first time. The metal preservitives and oils left in the boreas it comes from the factory  will cause erratic  grouping untill they are gone.....Also some barrels need to have at least a couple of boxes of ammo fired thru them in order to wear in , then they will realy suprise you as to their accuracy. You could try laping the barrel to smooth it up.I've never done it myself,but ther are others here who could fill you in on it's finer points.

[broguearcher]

Hmmm.... sounds like the barrel needs some thorough cleaning......   what are the best compounds/solutions for getting good results??   I'll get back on this thing then and see if I can get it right. 

Any more thoughts from other people?

[PartsMan]

My 25-06 did the same thing last year.
Try shooting it only when cold (two or three shots and then let cool)and or without the forearm.
as the barrel heats up on a handi it flexes different.
They are all diiferent but mine needed theforearm sanded and oringed.
now it shoots 1" groups.
PS read the FS FACT AND HELP STICKY at the top of the forum.

[4wheeling79]

I also have on in 7-08 And it did the same thing you are talking about. I had to give the barrel a good cleaning to the point that you can push a pacth thur and come out clean. This will take some time. Then i got a good fine laping compound it took me about 30-40 strokes to get mine right. You will know when it is right when you can push a tight patch thru and it goes thru nice and smooth with no hang ups. When you think you got it give the barrel another good cleaning make sure to get all the laping compound out. There are different ways of doing this but this is what i done to mine. Then it started shooting 1 1/2 groups w/Rem 140 corloks and now shoots 3/4 groups with handloads.

[Mac11700]

Stop shooting it like your bolt gun..and start shooting like everyone else does for good groups...Resting it on the forearm unless it's bedded will cause flyers rest it futher back over the hinge pin...Not pulling all the way thru consistantly with the trigger will cause more problems than anything else...and will cause your groups to turn into pattrns...

Like it's already been said..read the FAQ's...there's lot's of good information in there to help..BTW...$18.99 for a box of factory ammo isn't so bad...Try buying factory ammo for a 338-06A-Square..

Another happy 7-08 Handi owner..http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,100956.0.html

Mac

[lik2hunt]

I echo the cleaning advice already given. As to the ammo costs, all ammo has risen in price this year due to metal prices. I figure gun prices will do the same soon. I bought a box of Rem Core-Lok for my 30-30 and it was right at $14! Last year the same box was about $11.