bullet seating to accomodate the magazine

[CdnHotshot]

Factory SAKO 75 sporter 7mmSTW hasn't been grouping very well.
I've tried a variety of bullets
Berger 180's 168's Barnes LRX 145's and variety powders
H1000, Retumbo, IMR 7828SSC
I'd prefer to use this rifle as a repeater for hunting but the magazine is too short the accomodate any of the bullets to be seated 50 thou or less for possibly better accuracy.
Right now they're being seated 300 thou or more from the rifling.

What would you do...
shoot it as a single shot?
replace the barrel with a shorter throat ?

 

[jonbearman]

To go through all the trouble of rechambering to accomodate getting the bullets closer to touching the rifling would be alot of money so to speak to keep it original.I would have the smith carefully remove your barrel and oil it up for long term storage.Then I would order a really high quality barrel like a brux,kreiger and so n and have it set up to shoot at magazine length.Do you handle the recoil well? If not a brake may make it much easier to shoot tighter groups and controll flinching.I have a friend who shoots a 35 wsm and without the brake,it is a beast.With the brake it is a delight to shoot and accurate as can be considering it is such a killer to shoot originally.

 

[Gary in MD]

Did you try the 168 grain Berger Classic Hunter? This design is made for just what you are asking about, to be loaded to fit factory magazine lengths. Check it out on their website. I am getting ready to try some in one of my rifles, a custom Cooper.
Gary

 

[CdnHotshot]

I overlooked the Berger 168 HUNTER....
Thanks - I'll get some and see how they fit.
Please let me know your experience ...

 

[M14AMU]

All the more reason to have your rifle chambered such to fit the mag length....which doesn't include a factory rifle!

 

[CdnHotshot]

I intend to rebarrel this rifle someday ...but for now, want the challenge of trying all my options.

The rifle has been bedded and mounted an NXS 5.5-22
The inaccuracy has nothing to do with human error since it has consistently been unable to group shots. The barrel shows no serious wear...I've now taken the time to treat the barrel with JB and give it a final thorough cleaning.
My loaded NOSLER BRASS neck measures .313" and I've been using a .309" bushing.
Ordered a .311" bushing which is arriving in a couple days so will try that for any improvement.
Will get some of those Berger Hunting 168's and put it all together for any improvement.
I may even shoot it as a single shot if that's what it takes.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts.
Alan