Hot barrel and accuracy question.

[Allen Roberts]

I wanted to try out several 270 win brands with my Savage trail hunter. I don’t think I‘am waiting ample time for the barrel cool. I was expecting a variation of 2-3 inches with a hot barrel, but I have 4-5 inch swings left, then right, the maybe low. I‘am chasing the bullseye. I can’t decide whether its the hot barrel or the scope.

 

[L.Sherm]

Change out to a proven scope that will tell you if its the scope of course after checking all mounts and screws first.
If after you determine its not a mounting, ring, scope etc issue and it shoots fine when cool but 4-5" difference when it heats up you have a barrel issue more than likely stress in the barrel.

 

[WyleWD]

I wanted to try out several 270 win brands with my Savage trail hunter. I don’t think I‘am waiting ample time for the barrel cool. I was expecting a variation of 2-3 inches with a hot barrel, but I have 4-5 inch swings left, then right, the maybe low. I‘am chasing the bullseye. I can’t decide whether its the hot barrel or the scope.

How many shots are you taking before it begins the 4-5" swings? And are the first 2-3 shots pretty close to your aimpoint?? WD

 

[Allen Roberts]

How many shots are you taking before it begins the 4-5" swings? And are the first 2-3 shots pretty close to your aimpoint?? WD

Yes, I say yes. I will change scopes and pay more attention to the first shots. What throws me off is that I can shoot 50 times with my heavy 223 Savage Irvp and never have that much variation with almost no wait time between shots.

 

[Dimner]

I wanted to try out several 270 win brands with my Savage trail hunter. I don’t think I‘am waiting ample time for the barrel cool. I was expecting a variation of 2-3 inches with a hot barrel, but I have 4-5 inch swings left, then right, the maybe low. I‘am chasing the bullseye. I can’t decide whether its the hot barrel or the scope.

The only time a hot barrel gave me that much difference in variation was when the barrel was not fully free floated. If you are 100% sure you are free floated?

When I shoot my free floated factory rifles my groups only increase about an 3/4 to 1 max over a cool barrel.

Also, not a barrel heat issue, but something else to look for. I had a Tikka 270 that only shot 1.5" groups at 100. I tried everything until I finally found a nub of plastic in the holes in the stock where the action screws go. It was causing interference between the receiver and the stock. Once I cleaned that up everything came together.

 

[JBT47]

4-5” is excessive and I’d be getting a new barrel for the rifle.

 

[deadidarren]

If this is a hunting rifle I wouldn't bother trying and wasting ammo as the only shot that matters is the 1st one

 

[Texas Solo]

You're referring to what is known as "walking". All rifles will do it to some degree, but a stock factory rifle, not free floated, is the worst. A heavy barrel takes longer to heat up too. Simple test:
From cold bore, fire 3 rds. Wait 15+ minutes and shoot 3 more. Continue this. I'll bet you won't see much walking.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I was with a friend the other day when he was checking out some hunting loads with his new 300 PRC hunting rifle with a light weight fluted barrel and when it gets hot after 3 shots after that the impact moves more with each shot. And there is nothing wrong with the rifle set up.

 

[Kevin1990]

4-5” is excessive and I’d be getting a new barrel for the rifle.

guy might just need to tighten screws down, or check if its free floated. I wouldn't jump right to a new barrel.

 

[Allen Roberts]

You're referring to what is known as "walking". All rifles will do it to some degree, but a stock factory rifle, not free floated, is the worst. A heavy barrel takes longer to heat up too. Simple test:
From cold bore, fire 3 rds. Wait 15+ minutes and shoot 3 more. Continue this. I'll bet you won't see much walking.

Thanks, I’ll change the scope, and use your 3 shot wait method.

 

[Webster]

I wanted to try out several 270 win brands with my Savage trail hunter. I don’t think I‘am waiting ample time for the barrel cool. I was expecting a variation of 2-3 inches with a hot barrel, but I have 4-5 inch swings left, then right, the maybe low. I‘am chasing the bullseye. I can’t decide whether its the hot barrel or the scope.

Never had a group open up to an inch.

 

[dthomas]

Is it shifting this much with the same ammo or is the poi between different types of ammo is what you are concerned about? Because different ammo will shoot to a different point.

 

[L.Sherm]

guy might just need to tighten screws down, or check if its free floated. I wouldn't jump right to a new barrel.

I certainly wouldn't either untill i eliminated everthing mechanical first.

 

[jwv2001]

A few questions, where is the 1st shot in relation to point of aim? I assume you've sighted in your rifle previously. Has this rifle always shot erratic after the first shot? Has any of the other brands you've tried shot better than the others? Have you considered bedding the stock from the recoil lug to the chamber? Unless you're just flinching from excessive shooting, maybe you should try bedding the barrel.

 

[spudgun]

3 weeks ago I was long range qualifying a new shooter on the 600 yd range. He had a 300 Win short mag hunting rifle with a tapered barrel.

After 5 shots he was all over the place on 12x12" steel plate. shot #6 at 500 yds he would be to the left and shot #7 to the right of the plate.

I told him to stop shooting and wait 5-10 min to let the barrel cool off.

Repeated the 500 yd shot, and bullseye on 12x12 steel. Next shot at 550 yd bullseye and last shot at 600 was not a bullseye but a good hit.

I then asked him to go back to 450 yds and shoot the steel, first shot has high over the steel.

Told him to let it cool down and about 7 mins latter took the same shot and bullseye.

Barrel was free floating and action screws tight.

In his gun, yes heat did effect the accuracy.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I was running late today and had to shoot fast to get to work on time.
No consideration was given to barrel cooling between shots.
They were shot top to bottom. The last group definitely grew. Had to be a product of the heat.
6BR Savage LRPV

 

[PhilC]

I wanted to try out several 270 win brands with my Savage trail hunter. I don’t think I‘am waiting ample time for the barrel cool. I was expecting a variation of 2-3 inches with a hot barrel, but I have 4-5 inch swings left, then right, the maybe low. I‘am chasing the bullseye. I can’t decide whether its the hot barrel or the scope.

First off, your Savage Trail Hunter is completely different than your 223 LRPV so comparing them is like apples and oranges.

Do you have a Trail Hunter or Trail Hunter Light (20" barrel)? How long are you waiting between rounds fired? Do you feel the barrel to know how hot it is before firing another round? Has it ever shot well?

Once you heat soak the barrel it will take a while for it to cool down. Follow Texas Solo's advice and report back.

 

[std7mag]

If you're switching different ammo and getting different POI, it's the ammo.

Example would be the 243 Win I had.
Zero with Remington Corelokts then shoot my reloads, the reloads were shooting 8" high & 4" left.
And would consistently do that.