Not sure where this goes, but let's try it here.

[gambleone]

Going to give this a try. Thanks Boyd

 

[Homerange]

When my Rem Model 7's (two each - 223 Rem) had factory barrels on them I tried the Limbsaver rubber damping device on both. Both rifles had the barrels free floated in factory stocks. One rifle had the factory plastic stock, the other a wooden stock. The action was bedded on the plastic stock.

They grouped about 1" or so consistently at 100 yards if my memory serves me right without the damping device. Before free floating, groups were very inconsistent from a cold barrel 5 shot strings. All groups shot with tailored reloads and quality bullets, i.e. Sierra and or Nosler. My standard for a varmint rifle is 1/2 or so MOA so I wasn't satisfied.

The device did reduce the groups on one of the Model 7, SS 20" barrel, about 3/8 to 1/2" so. In addition to the size, the group clustered more uniformly both vertically and horizonility. I had to play around with the location of the device on the barrel but it did work. There was no affect on the 18" barrel Model 7 in the wooded stock. Yes it destroys the look of the rifle for a traditionalist like me but I'm all about performance so I'd rub cow manure on the barrel if it produced significant performance improvement.

Yet I though I could do better so I made a significant investment in both rifles as explained below.

Both these rifles now group in the 1/2 moa range consistently. I had the barrels replaced with Douglas Match barrels, 20" in length and one contour heavier than the factory barrels. I also replaced the factory plastic stock and wooded stock with B&C Metalists stocks. These rifles have performed extremely well in the field, as a light weight stalking (walking around) varmint rifles. Case in point, in 2019, I had a 98% success rate in the field with the SS Model 7. This year I'm 6 for 6 on ghogs. All shots under 250 yards.

The Model 7 CS actually shoots better but I developed extreme clean barrel flyers. This I believe it due to over cleaning with a new solvent brand but I'm working that issue this summer.

I sold the Limbsaver device.

This I can sort of relate to as I have 2 Model 7's both wooded and 18" tubes.
Both were acquired SH and the 223 shot quite well ~1/2" with factory load 55gr Rem Coreloks but better still with a custom load using Nosler 50gr BT's.
The 223 is still factory but with the addition of a somewhat weighty stainless can that settled the harmonics for it to consistently shoot ~.250".
The other is a 6mm Rem and had been bedded and floated (rolls eyes) and shot like shit well over 1" so added a barrel grove speed hump in the form of a lump of leather to return it to a factory setup where it shot more consistently but still nothing great. Addition of a suppressor settled it down more however it's still a work in progress yet it shoots quite well enough to take deer to 200 or more yards although I doubt it can ever be the near tack driver my 223 Model 7 is.