This is a long one sorry.
I normally build my own rifles. I started gathering parts to build a lighter hunting rifle for deer and elk in the mountains. My goal was a rifle that shot well and came in at 9lbs or under.
I started with a new Rem 700 la. I had just moved and hadn’t set up my lathe or Bridgeport. So I sent the action to have it tried, m16 extractor, bolt fluted, lug pinned and side bolt release. Reputable smith and the work was flawless. I ordered a name brand barrel .30 cal 1:10 twist #3 contour. By the time the barrel arrived I had my machines up and running. I chambered the barrel how I normally do. Through the headstock, indicated off the lands, floating reamer holder) 300WSM checked runout when finished and had right at 0.00015” runout at the end of the chamber, zero in the neck. Cool I’m pumped.
I assembled the barreled action and pillar bedded it in a manners EH1. Took it out broke the barrel in and began load work up. I tried 4 different powders and 5 different bullets. Noting would shoot consistent. After 500+ rounds trying to get a load that would shoot under an inch I gave up. I thought I had screwed something up and sent the whole rifle to the barrel manufacturer to see if by chance it was a flaw in the barrel. They looked everything over and decided to replace the barrel. They offeeed to chamber it in house and I agreed due to my work load at my day job.and my growing frustration with the rifle. I also asked if they’d instal a vais muzzle break while it was there. I was getting very close to a hunting trip deadline and wasn’t survid have time to finish the rifle myself.
Rifle comes back too close to my trip deadline for me to work up a load. So I left it until I got back. I am currently just over 400 rounds into this barrel and still the rifle will not shoot anything consistently. I’ve swapped scopes and changed stocks in the hopes to figure out what the hell is the problem. I’ve gotten loads that have ES of 11 FPS and SD of 4 FPS but on paper they are all over. I thought it may have been a bedding problem, so I changed stocks and renewed it. Same results. I’ve had other guys that are better shooters then be try it. Same results.
I’ve only built 8 complete rifles other then this one. All have shot amazingly right from the get go. I’m at a loss of what to try next. The barrel is a top tier company I find it hard to believe I got two bad barrels from them. The rifle is snappy on recoil, I’ve thought about changing muzzle breaks and see if it’s just a matter of muzzle jump. I’m lost. I shoot more then my fair share of heavy recoiling rifles so I’m confident in my shooting mechanics.
Any insight would help.
Thanks
Doneld
I normally build my own rifles. I started gathering parts to build a lighter hunting rifle for deer and elk in the mountains. My goal was a rifle that shot well and came in at 9lbs or under.
I started with a new Rem 700 la. I had just moved and hadn’t set up my lathe or Bridgeport. So I sent the action to have it tried, m16 extractor, bolt fluted, lug pinned and side bolt release. Reputable smith and the work was flawless. I ordered a name brand barrel .30 cal 1:10 twist #3 contour. By the time the barrel arrived I had my machines up and running. I chambered the barrel how I normally do. Through the headstock, indicated off the lands, floating reamer holder) 300WSM checked runout when finished and had right at 0.00015” runout at the end of the chamber, zero in the neck. Cool I’m pumped.
I assembled the barreled action and pillar bedded it in a manners EH1. Took it out broke the barrel in and began load work up. I tried 4 different powders and 5 different bullets. Noting would shoot consistent. After 500+ rounds trying to get a load that would shoot under an inch I gave up. I thought I had screwed something up and sent the whole rifle to the barrel manufacturer to see if by chance it was a flaw in the barrel. They looked everything over and decided to replace the barrel. They offeeed to chamber it in house and I agreed due to my work load at my day job.and my growing frustration with the rifle. I also asked if they’d instal a vais muzzle break while it was there. I was getting very close to a hunting trip deadline and wasn’t survid have time to finish the rifle myself.
Rifle comes back too close to my trip deadline for me to work up a load. So I left it until I got back. I am currently just over 400 rounds into this barrel and still the rifle will not shoot anything consistently. I’ve swapped scopes and changed stocks in the hopes to figure out what the hell is the problem. I’ve gotten loads that have ES of 11 FPS and SD of 4 FPS but on paper they are all over. I thought it may have been a bedding problem, so I changed stocks and renewed it. Same results. I’ve had other guys that are better shooters then be try it. Same results.
I’ve only built 8 complete rifles other then this one. All have shot amazingly right from the get go. I’m at a loss of what to try next. The barrel is a top tier company I find it hard to believe I got two bad barrels from them. The rifle is snappy on recoil, I’ve thought about changing muzzle breaks and see if it’s just a matter of muzzle jump. I’m lost. I shoot more then my fair share of heavy recoiling rifles so I’m confident in my shooting mechanics.
Any insight would help.
Thanks
Doneld
