Question about barrel change??????

[AAAJohn]

I've got a Remington model 7 in 7-08 that I thought would be my last hunting gun. When I bought (used) the gun I tried factory loads and got about 6" groups at 100 yds. I Reloaded some ammo and found one load that was shooting 1" groups.
Hunted a few years and after killing several deer I noticed sometimes I wasn't hitting where I held.
Put it back on paper and it's back to 6-8" groups and all over the paper.
Do any of you know what could be happening? Could the loads be getting old, they are about 6-8 yrs since I put them together?
I've got a 700 barrel in 243 in the closet that I could change to if the threads are the same, but I would fix the problem with the 7-08 if I could get it back to the way I had it shooting.
My load is 43 grs 4064 with a 130 gr sp bt.
Another thing, I used a Redfield 3X9 thru the years and thought it may be my problem from a fall or something and just tried a Lupold with same results.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John

[trotterlg]

I would check to see if it is in the stock right and tightened properly.  Also check to see that the recoil lug is seating back against the stop in the stock, it is easy to put a little epoxy putty behind the lug (put some release agent on the lug) to make sure it is tight, the stock could have shrunk up or warped a tiny amount and left it loose, this will cause a lot of grief with groups.  Larry

[Dan Carey]

You could also try floating the barrel.

[Davemuzz]

Have you used a copper cleaner in your barrel? I was having "expanding group" problems with my .308 and used some http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=643582 Sweets solvent.

The first patch I ran through came out blue-er than a new set of jeans. Copper build up can really throw off your groups. It may be worth a try.

Dave

[hilbillysmoke]

Try a browning?

[anweis]

Have you used a copper cleaner in your barrel? I was having "expanding group" problems with my .308 and used some http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=643582 Sweets solvent.

The first patch I ran through came out blue-er than a new set of jeans. Copper build up can really throw off your groups. It may be worth a try.

Dave

A quart of ammonia from the store will work just as well. 

[Davemuzz]

A quart of ammonia from the store will work just as well. 

The ammonia may work as well, but the Sweet's formula suspends the ammonia, along with whatever other chemicals are in it, in a thicker liquid. So, with just "straight ammonia" the problem is you can have that running down thru your guns action, and\or inbetween the barrel and stock or action and stock and softening up a bedding job.

For the little cost of the Sweets, I'll stick with that.

Dave

[Badnews Bob]

Wipeout foming barrel cleaner is the cats meow on copper fouling. spray it in wait afew hours wipe it out, done.

[AAAJohn]

Thanks, I'll pick up some Sweets and try that. The barrel is floated so that I can double a dollar and slid it back to the action. The stock is nylon or fiberglass. I changed the scope mounts and scope and tried some Blue Wonder bore cleaner. I'm going to try some 4350 powder and see if that makes a difference and if all this don't work, I will have the barrel swapped out.
Again, thanks for all info!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kurt L]

Last year my old 760 rem started doing all that nice stuff and missed a
few deer also,so I put it up and this summer I changed scopes and still
was all over as yours so then I cleaned with sweets and it was as blue as blue jeans.
I pulled like 15 blue patches out of that thing before it cleaned up.but glad to say its
back to normal now. you may have the same problem me and others above had.