30/06 Quandry

[Pawnee Bill]

This is one of my targets I shot while load testing with Hornady 155 gr AMAX bullets at 200 yards.

The rifle is an old Savage Flat Back 110 with a Brux 1-10, barrel is chambered with PTG's 30/06 Serengetti (German Salazar Match) reamer and a new PTG bolt head, cut & crowned at 26 in with a JP Enterprises 3-Port Compensator. The trigger is factory and I got it down to a semi reasonable 3 lb pull (I'm waiting on a Sharp Shooter Supply Competition Trigger). The stock is a Bell & Carlson that I bought while waiting on my benchrest stock from SSS. Just for grins & giggles I bedded the stock all the way to the end. The 26 in Heavy Palma barrel in that skinny stock looked overwhelming so I thought by bedding it all the way out would help support the weight of the barrel and I was curious about what kind of results I would get with a fully bedded barrel. Wind was not a factor.

I did all the usual brass prep for my Lapua cases and were loaded using Redding neck bushing die and Redding Competition Seater die. Bullet run out was less than .001. COAL was .010 off the lands.

This load was 1 of 3 I was testing; same bullet with IMR 4895, 4064, 4350 all good '06 type powders. This was the best of the 3.

After all this, I come before the great minds with a question that has bothered me for years in my shooting odyssey.

Why, out of 5 shots do I have 2 groups? I have had many of these over the years in all different rifles and calibers.

Is it me, the gun, the ammo, or maybe aliens. I am at a loss on what to do to correct this.

The obvious next step is, can I repeat it..........................................

Sorry, disregard the second picture it is just a repeat.

 

[Remington37]

I have the same problems trying to shoot little groups. Once in awhile I'll put them in a 2 hole group. Rifle shoots sub MOA at 3 and 600 yd so, so it's a mental thing with me. My biggest problem is doing everything the same shot to shot

 

[expiper]

I would suspect that "fully bedded" bbl,,,,let it float,,,Roger

 

[watercam]

Every match rifle that I have seen floats the barrel completely. I used to bed 1.5" in front of the action but found more consistent accuracy when fully open to the elements (so to speak). The action is strong enough to hold it up especially if it is bedded well. Sand or grind out your barrel bedding and try again. With a fully bedded barrel shot placement will shift with every change in forearm placement on rest or hand.
Let us know how it turns out!

 

[Boyd L.]

Every match rifle that I have seen floats the barrel completely. I used to bed 1.5" in front of the action but found more consistent accuracy when fully open to the elements (so to speak). The action is strong enough to hold it up especially if it is bedded well.....

Do you bed the nut (in the case of a Savage/Remage) or float from the recoil lug forward?

 

[ebb]

Most that shoot 2 groups the cause is bedding. Put the rifle in a vise and put a dial indicator on the back of the action near the rear screw. Loosen the screw while watching the dial indicator. Do the same to the front screw. If the indicator shows movement of more than a couple of thousands that's is the problem. While doing this test the stock must be locked down and cannot move. If I were to guess I would guess that the bedding of the barrel is putting pressure on the bedding in the receiver area

 

[Pawnee Bill]

Do you bed the nut (in the case of a Savage/Remage) or float from the recoil lug forward?

The barrel nut is bedded.