Author Topic: Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???  (Read 511 times)

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Offline old4x4

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Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???
« on: March 05, 2008, 04:08:44 AM »
I just bought a 223 barrel for my Contender and am building another stock/forearm combo for it.  It, naturally, strings shots vertically, but groups are around an inch or so, and I've tried all the rubber washers, resting the gun in a different place on the front bag, blah blah blah.  I prefer to bed the forearm.  It got me to thinking this RAINY morning.
  Has anyone ever tried a nylon tensioning screw under the forearm (near the tip).   A cheap thing to try.  Obviously, you'd have to torque the 2 forearm screws the SAME each time you remove them.  I'm inclined to give it a whirl with one of my old forearms.

Offline Keith L

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Re: Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2008, 09:44:32 AM »
I epoxied in four brass posts by the screw holes in the forearm to "float" the barrel and have had no stringing in a .204 barrel.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  Benjamin Franklin

Offline KN

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Re: Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2008, 10:29:36 AM »
Same here. I floated all my barrels and I get no vertical stringing, except when I start with a clean barrel. Then it takes about 4 shots to settle in.    KN

Offline old4x4

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Re: Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2008, 01:53:16 PM »
Hmmm.  I always start out with a clean barrel.  So I loaded up 15 rounds just now (all the same load) and got some plastic shim for under the barrel and I'll take 'er out Friday morning.  I also stole 5 rounds from my buddy's AR ammo I load for him as fouling shots. ::)
Today, I started with 3 different loads (3 shots each) and one group strung the shots horizontally.  The gun likes a tight grip, that's for sure.
BTW, my current forearm is pillar bedded and it's still stringing 'em.  It could always be me!  The groups I shot today were all under an inch, but if it wasn't for the stringing, they'd be VERY small. 

Offline Hopalong7

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Re: Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2008, 04:43:47 AM »
Very interesting!!!  I think I would first try folding up some electrical tape or similiar to make a small pad of appropriate thickness and place under the tip of the forend and try it.  You obviously have a good shooter with the potential to be a great one.  I'm assuming "new" barrel, so just more rounds down the pipe might do the trick as well.  Keep us informed. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

Offline old4x4

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Re: Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2008, 08:41:56 AM »
Will do.  I'm taking 'er out first thing Fri Morning.  I'll post the results.

Offline old4x4

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Re: Barrel Tensioning screw in forearm for Contender???
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2008, 06:52:57 AM »
Here's the scoop.  My Contender Carbine in 223 likes to be forward on the bags.  Pillar bedded.  Screws fairly tight.  Flat bottom.
-It would tend to string with the front portion of the forearm on the bags.  Duh..we knew that
-It would also tend to string if I held the gun lightly (That makes sense, too-gun movement while the bullet's accelerating up the barrel)
-If I held the forearm down with 2 fingers (in front of the bag) and held the grip (right hand) firmly, groups were the best and/or would tend to spread VERY slightly horizontally. 
I need one of those level things for my scope.  This would make a whole lot of difference.

Best group?  5/8" C-C  , gun forward on the bags, held firmly and 2 fingers holding the forearm DOWN slightly.
This is fun.  I'll see what happens Monday morning after I make a "Scope leveling" device.