Sako L461 bedding problem

[timoj731]

Hi,
Im having dramas with the bedding on my L461 .222 (sporter). I bedded the rifle with devcon 5 years ago. The action and the forend tip (2ins) were bedded and it shot great averaging prob 3/4in consistently often much better. Problem was it moved POI up and right after 5-7 shots. I removed the devcon in the forend, put it back together and groups opened up to 1.5-2in with a lot of verticle stringing and clusters in the group (5shot). I replaced both the action and barrel channel (floated) with arma grout and it still shoots exactly the same. The barrel touches in front of the recoil lug and for roughly 1cm of barrel length. Norma brass, speer 50gn TNT, Fed primers, 20.5gns AR2208. I havnt had a chance to get out and try anthing to improve it. Is there anything other than putting something in contact with the barrel again that would fix it?

 

[watercam]

Vertical stringing... Assuming you have consistent velocity, is it possible that the forearm is not riding the front bag consistently? When I get sloppy and let the front swivel stud ride back into the bag I have the same issue.

 

[fdshuster]

I have a similar problem with my Ruger #1, 223 with a light varmint contour Shilen barrel. Your problem may be nothing more than a buildup of barrel heat. Do the groups shrink if you fire 5, then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then fire another 5 ? Several of my other lighter weight sporter barrels will also climb high & slightly right when they get warm. A few of my lightweight barrels also shoot tighter groups with the pressure pad at the end of the forearm, others do not.

 

[timoj731]

Ive bought another bag but havnt tried it yet, will see. The groups are now bad from the first shot. Tried 2 3shot groups waited 10mins then 2 more, all were over 1.5ins. Ill try some rubber under the front of the barrel again see if it helps. Thanks guys

 

[Nomo4me]

Your bed job under the action isn't working out. Your gun liked a bit of contact under the bbl - but then the forend warped a bit and your POI moved.
You removed the contact point and gained vertical.

The forward action screw goes right into the recoil lug on that action. Were it mine I'd examine the bedding work you did to support the front and rear of the action and look for binding on the rails. Something's not right there. If it looks fine I'd try bedding 1.5" of the bbl forward of the action to counter any tipping of the action if that's what's going on.

IMO anyway

 

[timoj731]

Would giving the side of the action some clearence fix this? Leaving just the front and rear points bedded?

 

[Nomo4me]

You'd have to post clear pictures of the action bedding and bbl channel for me to advise further.