I have a hunting rifle that I recently cleaned down to bare bore. I shot three fouler shots then did some load work. I have not cleaned it yet. Maybe 30 shots since cleaning. Went back to range to test two separate 4 shot groups out at different COAL. The first shot (cold bore fouled) hit roughly 2” low of center target. I then proceeded to wait 2 min to shoot and the 2nd shot was half in left and 1” high of center then next two shots were shot within 45 seconds. Shots 2,3,4 were a dime sized group. I went to shoot the other test loaded coal. Again the first shot was roughly two inches low of center the following 3 shots grouped slightly left and high of center. Is there any way to get that first shot to come back up into the other three shots? The barrel is free floated and the stock is hs precision. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
First shot from cold bore impact?
- Thread starter MT257
- Start date
Unless you have a premium barrel it ante going to happen . Just my two cents Tommy Mc
It’s a PacNor barrel. The first shot low seems to be a new finding after taking it outta the original walnut stock and free floating.
If thats the case i did not help you. Sorry Tommy Mc
on the other hand if changing the stock caused the problem. I would start there.
As Big Mc stated and starting with the stock I would begin with checking for a high spot anywhere between the action screws and bed if needed. Another very common thing to check is make sure neither the trigger or anything to do with the bolt stop linkage is touching inside the trigger guard (even minimal.) Make sure the torque is to spec. for the H & S stock. Hopefully somewhere along these lines you will find the issue.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
What rifle? If the barrel is free floated, a stock issue is from the lug back. Of course if you changed anything else but the stock, more options come into play. M700 bdl box mag must have some give after stock screws are torqued. Mounts,rings, scope all may need checking.
What contour on that barrel? Some contours just don't shoot well free floated. Try folding a business card in half or even quartered. Place it about 2 inches back from fore end of stock under the barrel. Torque action screws to 30 inch pounds. Try different torque settings, 20 pounds or even 40 pounds.
Will these high spots be visible to naked eye? If not how would one tell?
Use inletting black to check for any high spots or warping.
Should be able to run a straight edge ( slender piece of metal like 1/8" X 3/4" flat ) along the surface and see if it remains flat across the bedding area or bedding block but it could be visible as well or maybe even something to the touch when running your fingers across the bedding area like a friend of mine found recently.
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I discovered that when I aggressively remove copper my point of impact changes significantly and it takes several "seasoning" shots to return to previous point of impact. Perhaps this is not your problem since you said you shot 30 or more shots before the issue appeared. In my case depending on the rifle, it took anywhere from 3 to 10 shots to return to normal point of impact.
I have since suspended aggressive copper removing practices. I now just use Bore Carbon Remover, C4, which does an outstanding job on carbon and removes some copper. This seems to retain the copper equilibrium in my rifles and keeps my cold barrel shots at the desired point of aim. Also, my rifles shoot tighter using this practice. I also extended the cleaning cycle from about 30 rounds to 60 rounds.
I've responded some other posts on this issue which included more detail on how I discovered the problem and how arrived at the fix, at least for me.
I have since suspended aggressive copper removing practices. I now just use Bore Carbon Remover, C4, which does an outstanding job on carbon and removes some copper. This seems to retain the copper equilibrium in my rifles and keeps my cold barrel shots at the desired point of aim. Also, my rifles shoot tighter using this practice. I also extended the cleaning cycle from about 30 rounds to 60 rounds.
I've responded some other posts on this issue which included more detail on how I discovered the problem and how arrived at the fix, at least for me.
Two patches with lighter fluid has worked well for me in the past on hunting rifles. Try it.
I think my walnut stock was 45 in/lbs. Have you found any issues using 30 in/lbs?
I use it on my f class rifle and it does seem to help. I just started using it. I’ve always finished cleaning with two patches of lighter fluid on my hunting rifles and the first cold bore hits in the center of the group less than 1/3” high at 100 yards.
dave
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