The dreaded flyer-What to do?

[BD100]

Gent's,

I recently acquired a Remington 700 BDL-7MM Rem Mag. It's an early to mid-80's vintage with the standard high gloss wooden stock. My uncle bought this gun new and it was shot very little.

The issue I'm having is that it has a tendency to throw flyers. It will group 2 shots touching and the 3rd will be anywhere from 1.0-2.0 inches out from the first two. Occasionally it will print a good group with all 3 together, but then next time I shoot a group with the same load, it pitches one out. I've tried several different powder and bullet combinations, and I also always let the barrel cool after each shot, but nothing seems to help.

For what it's worth, I had the stock pillar bedded by a local gunsmith on someones recommendation, but it didn't help. I've also tried a different scope. Not sure where to go next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

BD

 

[hogpatrol]

Gent's,

I recently acquired a Remington 700 BDL-7MM Rem Mag. It's an early to mid-80's vintage with the standard high gloss wooden stock. My uncle bought this gun new and it was shot very little.

The issue I'm having is that it has a tendency to throw flyers. It will group 2 shots touching and the 3rd will be anywhere from 1.0-2.0 inches out from the first two. Occasionally it will print a good group with all 3 together, but then next time I shoot a group with the same load, it pitches one out. I've tried several different powder and bullet combinations, and I also always let the barrel cool after each shot, but nothing seems to help.

For what it's worth, I had the stock pillar bedded by a local gunsmith on someones recommendation, but it didn't help. I've also tried a different scope. Not sure where to go next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

BD

What is your reloading process, step by step?

 

[shoot4fun]

Not trying to be mean with this suggestion but you likely need to improve your gun handling skills to see a consistent improvement. The 7 Mag has a little punch and that rifle is light. The stock isn't ideal for bags or bench rest. Plus the trigger is likely not perfect. You are letting the rifle cool between shots so there is a great likelihood that you are not driving the same for each shot. Hence why you get decent grouping sometime and not others with same loads.

 

[ShootDots]

I appears that the rifle wants to shoot. Since the rifle is old and you never really know what may or may not have happened to the rifle. It sounds to me almost like it needs a re-crowning job. By the same token, it could be that your action needs truing. I believe it is one or the other..

 

[chkunz]

Three shot groups can be misleading. Shoot three ten shot groups and then take a look at them combined. Your may find that the flyers are not flyers at all, they are just part of the group that the gun is capable of.

 

[M14AMU]

Convert to 30/06

Nope! Won't work....wrong casehead dimension on bolt!

 

[BD100]

Thanks for the replys.)

Hog- Nothing too in depth on the reloading process. I'm a hunter and not a competition BR shooter.
Using < 5x fired Rem brass, Forster FL sizing die. Standard brass prepping(trimmed to consistent length, chamfered, de-burred, not weighed, no neck turning, primer pockets uniformed, etc.) Forster seating die, all bullets seated to consistent COAL.


Shoot4- No offense taken. I use the same technique I use with other large capacity cartridges. I have a 257 and 270 Wby....both have wooden stocks and I haven't experienced the inconsistencies I have with the 7-Mag. I use a Caldwell Rock BR front rest with a Protektor rear.


Shootdots- The crown appears to be in great shape. As for the action-who know's? Certainly possible I suspect.

chkunz- Thanks. I may need a 2 separate range sessions for that!

 

[nmkid]

What bullet are you shooting?

 

[mac86951]

Watch barrel temperature; my light weight 30-06 barrel outright shines if I allow consistent temps. Meaning 3-5 minutes between shots past 3 for my rifle.

Evaluate shooting technique; ha e practice rounds before and after group shooting to better evaluate the shooter performance.

-Mac

 

[savagedasher]

My suggestion is make a target with a series of + + ++ + on it . Make sure your scope is aligned with the cross .
Shoot two shots at each Total of 10 shots. It is best your scope is set where the bullet impact is near the cross . Make sure if you made a bad trigger pull you know which cross it was .
Careful measure each two shot .
The relationship ship of the bullets from the point of aim. Will help you figure out if the barrel. Has memory or the load Bedding or just the shooter . Any more then two shots will only tell your you have a problem .
Remember 2 shot give the same answer as 10 . Larry

 

[savagedasher]

My suggestion is make a target with a series of + + ++ + on it . Make sure your scope is aligned with the cross .
Shoot two shots at each Total of 10 shots. It is best your scope is set where the bullet impact is near the cross . Make sure if you made a bad trigger pull you know which cross it was .
Careful measure each two shot .
The relationship ship of the bullets from the point of aim. Will help you figure out if the barrel. Has memory or the load Bedding or just the shooter . Any more then two shots will only tell your you have a problem .
Remember 2 shot give the same answer as 10 . Larry

 

[Shynloco]

Thanks for the replys.)

Hog- Nothing too in depth on the reloading process. I'm a hunter and not a competition BR shooter....

Based upon my years of experience, I believe it's most likely an inconsistency in your loads. That's includes the brass (whether it needs annealing) or the load itself. Shooting technique (kick of an unfamiliar rifle) and skill can also contribute to fliers. I recently have experienced the infamous flier(s) on loads for my 6.5BR that I knew had previously shot well. But I also recalled the brass felt different when resizing it this time, in that I felt some of the brass were stiffer and required a harder throw of the lever on the press. Annealed the brass and it all went away.

And BTW, I dislike three shot groups when searching for consistency. Many factors go into group shooting which I why I believe 5 shot groups tell you much more than do 3 shot groups, regardless of the number of groups. I usually shoot either 3-5 shot groups (for testing) or 6-5 shot groups for verification of a load. And make sure your Action bolts are tight as loose ones contribute to that which you are trying to avoid. Just my .02 worth.

Alex

 

[dogdude]

Here's an idea .. Clean It

 

[savagedasher]

Based upon my years of experience, I believe it's most likely an inconsistency in your loads. That's includes the brass (whether it needs annealing) or the load itself. Shooting technique (kick of an unfamiliar rifle) and skill can also contribute to fliers. I recently have experienced the infamous flier(s) on loads for my 6.5BR that I knew had previously shot well. But I also recalled the brass felt different when resizing it this time, in that I felt some of the brass were stiffer and required a harder throw of the lever on the press. Annealed the brass and it all went away.

And BTW, I dislike three shot groups when searching for consistency. Many factors go into group shooting which I why I believe 5 shot groups tell you much more than do 3 shot groups, regardless of the number of groups. I usually shoot either 3-5 shot groups (for testing) or 6-5 shot groups for verification of a load. And make sure your Action bolts are tight as loose ones contribute to that which you are trying to avoid. Just my .02 worth.

Alex

Alex
Your saying u shoot 45 shot whe tuning?
Larry

 

[1shot]

Is it always the 3rd shot of a series, or random?

 

[savagedasher]

Is it always the 3rd shot of a series, or random?

That was the reason i suggested 5 -2 shots It would show when it happened or you make a shooting error . Larry

 

[josebd]

Make sure your reticle is straight up and down every time,you could be canting

 

[Tommie]

Does the bolt handle touch the stock when closed?

 

[22BRGUY]

Gent's,

I recently acquired a Remington 700 BDL-7MM Rem Mag. It's an early to mid-80's vintage with the standard high gloss wooden stock. My uncle bought this gun new and it was shot very little.

The issue I'm having is that it has a tendency to throw flyers. It will group 2 shots touching and the 3rd will be anywhere from 1.0-2.0 inches out from the first two. Occasionally it will print a good group with all 3 together, but then next time I shoot a group with the same load, it pitches one out. I've tried several different powder and bullet combinations, and I also always let the barrel cool after each shot, but nothing seems to help.

For what it's worth, I had the stock pillar bedded by a local gunsmith on someones recommendation, but it didn't help. I've also tried a different scope. Not sure where to go next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

BD

Maybe a funny question but what is the bench you are shooting from made of? I recently discovered that shooting from a bench made of wood flexes with any part of my body touching it. I realized this when I would lean on the bench and sight in the rifle on target and then lift myself completely off of the bench and noticed that the crosshairs moved off target. When the rifle fired, the vibration traveled through everything on the bench differently from shot to shot. Once I totally removed all body weight off of the bench, the groups were awesome.
Good luck

 

[/VH]

Thanks for the replys.)

Hog- Nothing too in depth on the reloading process. I'm a hunter and not a competition BR shooter.
Using < 5x fired Rem brass, Forster FL sizing die. Standard brass prepping(trimmed to consistent length, chamfered, de-burred, not weighed, no neck turning, primer pockets uniformed, etc.) Forster seating die, all bullets seated to consistent COAL.

BD,
There are several potential causes but maybe it's something fairly simple....
Are you measuring your seating depth with a comparator, or to the tip of the bullet?