Problems with the 204 24'' fluted bull barrel.

[DalesCarpentry]

Well guys I have killed a mess of groundhogs this summer!!!  The 204 has been shooting great. I even killed one last weekend at probably 500 to 600 yards. I bet I could not do it again even if I tried. He either had a heart attack or I shot him. I aimed way high about 20 inches and there was a pretty good breeze coming from my left so I aimed 6 inches to the left of him. I never really expected to hit him I really was trying to see where the bullet hit at that kind of range. By the way I really need a good range finder.Well anyways since then I have missed 2 different ground hogs one at about 125 yards and the other at about 300 maybe 250. I can see maybe missing the further ones but I allmost never miss at 125 yards. There is really no excuse for that in my head. I have been shooting the Winchester 34 grain rounds with the  Lubalux coated bullets. I have not cleaned it since I sited it in and it really does not look to dirty now without my glasses. I did not want to ruin a good thing with the way it was shooting so I have not cleaned it. Besides it stays in my truck so I can bust a couple on the way home from work. I am thinking it needs cleaned. I have fired about 120 rounds through it since I sited it in. I don't think it has been bumped or hit hard to make the scope go out of wack. Alltouugh it does ride in the back of the truck with my other tools. It is in a hard case back there and it is allways on top of the pile. What do you guys think? I think I might bring it in tonight for a good cleaning and try again. If that does not work I will have to make a trip to the range and see just how it is shooting. I know the scope or mounts are not loose.

[PHATINJUN]

I was not impressed with the moly bullets in my 204 so I didn't stick with them but if you have not shot molyies much I'm not sure I would trust the old look down the bbl to see if it's dirty trick . Did you polish bore when you got it? Either way I'd clean it to see where you're at .I just cleaned my 204 after the PD shoot with foaming bore cleaner and got very little blue out of it and shot darn close to 250 rounds thru it I was pretty impressed with that.   Kurt

[DalesCarpentry]

Yea I really did polish the bore with Flitz. I am just thinking I need to clean it. To tired tonight to do that tonight but real soon. Maybe if I get home early tomorrow. I hope it improves. That is really the most I have ever gone between cleanings. I just did not want to ruin a good thing by cleaning it. We will see.

[Mac11700]

...This was discussed...in length Dale...I went back and high lighted it for you...just in case you missed it

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,120345.msg1098403693.html#msg1098403693

Mac

[PHATINJUN]

One of the things that I have noticed since this PD shoot is the amount of bullets that I shot without cleaning and I really did not notice any fall off in accuracy in the hunting situation .Now I know for sure I would not of done that had I been shooting paper .One thing for sure is I now have more confidence in not only my varmint guns but also in my ability to shoot them. Kurt

[Mac11700]

peanut...

I wished I could have made it down there & meet all of guys...Next year I will..

Mac

[LaOtto222]

Just a thought...I would go to the range and see if it is shooting to your satisfaction before cleaning. If it is shooting well, skip the cleaning. If it is not shooting well, clean it up real good and see if your accuracy comes back. It will give you an idea of how often you need to clean it. If it is shooting well, and you do not clean it up, then when you decide it needs cleaned for what ever the reason, see if it changes any thing for you at the range. It will just give you an idea of how to often you need to clean it to maintain the accuracy you need. It will also build up your confidence in your shooting, knowing what it takes to maintain accuracy. When you miss, you will know it was you, or the wind/distance estimation and not because you cleaned too often or not often enough;D

[Mac11700]

It will also build up your confidence in your shooting, knowing what it takes to maintain accuracy.

Very true.......which is a very important part of doing it right...Knowing...instead of second guessing yourself..

Mac

[Scootter]

First clean it. Mine looked clean after Sundays shoot and when I cleaned it crude oil rolled out with the first patch. Then take it to the range and MAKE SURE it hasn't been bumped.

After you make sure of the basics then start looking for other problems.

Scootter