Remington 742 , .308

[Buckfever]

My dad had this gun and it was never very accurate.  In fact after the first shot you could be off as much as 10" at 50 yards.  Do you think that a new barrel would cure the problem or is it just the Remington 742?  Thanks  Buckfever

[John Traveler1]

I your Dad's rifle actually hits point-of-aim at 50 yards, and then the next shot is off by 10 inches, all I can say is "WOW!!!"

That kind of wild inaccuracy is absolutely caused by something simple:  either your rifle"s

1.  buttstock is loose (possible),
2.  sight screws/scope mount bases are loose(likelier),
3.  defective telescope (likely), or
4.  barrel is defective with buldged bore, damaged crown (least likely)

Try inspecting the bore carefully with a flashlight after a good cleaning.  A buldge or bad crown is easy to spot.  Loose scope wounts or bad scope is easy too.  A good .308 Winchester rifle should place bullet holes close together, almost touching, at 50 yards.