Tuners?

[TrxR]

What is everyones opinions on tuners? Can the clamp on style work as good as a threaded? The reason I ask is I have a factory 40x that shoots really good but am wondering if I can get that little bit more with a tuner but i dont want to thread the barrel. I see Dan killough sells a harrels style, how do they work?

Thanks

 

[Shynloco]

In a short phrase, yes a tuner will help you get even better groups IF you already have good groups. I have a Harrel Tuner on my Anschutz 64 mpr that was honed for my size of barrel. One of my friends has a 40X (amongst other Rimfire rifles) and we watched our good groups get even tighter as we turned the dial on the tuner. It is a fairly easy process but takes time and patience. The instruction sheet will tell you how to set it up and how to find the "SWEET" spot because what you are doing is altering the harmonic's of the barrel. It was flat fun watching the groups come closer together and then open up slightly when you've passed that spot. Now be aware, you have to know what ammo your particular rifle likes THE BEST and you can't be jumping around trying different ammos. And a tuner WILL NOT help a poor shooting rifle shoot better. Hope that helps you. BTW, I bought my tuner from www.killoughshootingsports.com . Dan Killough and his guys are some of the most helpful and knowledgeable Rimfire experts in the business. They request you mic your barrel and they will hon it to the right size. They are in great demand so sometimes they run out of stock. Ron Hoehn also sells the identical or near one that his his name on it instead of Harrel. I think Ron lurks around on this blog as well when he's not out kicking booty on the professional target shooting course. He has his own website if you want to give him a call with the particulars. Good luck and have fun.

 

[TrxR]

Shynloco: Here is a 6 shot group with center x a 50yds i shot a month ago in -10 celcius.

Do you think a tuner will help this rifle any?

 

[butchlambert]

Dan Killough is the guy.

 

[Shynloco]

Shynloco: Here is a 6 shot group with center x a 50yds i shot a month ago in -10 celcius.

Do you think a tuner will help this rifle any?

In one word...YES! Obviously your rifle shoots decent groups and a tuner will reduce that group to less than half that so long as you do your part. That is why most guys who compete have tuners on their rifles. If You send me your personal email address, I'll send you two targets (5 shot groups) I shot just two weeks ago practicing with a different lot of ammo. I have no clue how to post pictures on this blog and I'd prefer to send them via private email anyways. Each was shot at 50 yds from the Benchrest position. And it was CenterX and Midas plus I was shooting. And that isn't even what my Anschutz likes the best. So send me a PM and I'll email you the pics from my other computer on which the pics are stored.

Alex

 

[katokoch]

Dan Killough is the guy.

Yep, give him a call. Virtually all rimfire tuners I've seen are the clamp-on type.

Exactly how well is your 40X shooting today? Are we talking 5-shot groups at 50 yards closer to .3" or .2"? In my limited experience I've learned the rifle needs to be shooting very well (and consistently), and you need very good ammo too before the tuner can make a real improvement- otherwise it can get lost in the noise.

 

[Fotheringill]

In my limited experience, yes. It will help. You still have to hold, breathe, aim and squeeze, but it will help. It will not turn Federal bulk into Lapua Midas + but it will work well with the best ammo that shoots well in your rifle.

You can actually save the entire cost of the tuner by using the Purdy formula. It should get you to within several clicks of optimum. I got my Harrel "style" tuner from Killough's. I had Dan fit it to the barrel along with a bedding and pillaring job on my 1913.

It all has to do with the proper length of the barrel, which is exactly the alteration done with the tuner and the front weights (three different sizes). The money is saved with the formula by not having to shoot multiple bricks with each separate weight (or combinations thereof) of top shelf ammo.

Without overtightening, the two small screws that hold the tuner against the barrel, work fine.

 

[TrxR]

Dan Killough is the guy.

Yep, give him a call. Virtually all rimfire tuners I've seen are the clamp-on type.

Exactly how well is your 40X shooting today? Are we talking 5-shot groups at 50 yards closer to .3" or .2"? In my limited experience I've learned the rifle needs to be shooting very well (and consistently), and you need very good ammo too before the tuner can make a real improvement- otherwise it can get lost in the noise.

I posted a pic above of its typical grouping. The pic shows a 6 shot group.

 

[katokoch]

It's a nice looking group and if the rest of the groups are like it too, that's great. The tuner should help.

I agree with Fotheringill on the ammo and overtightening too, it is surprising what it takes to feel it in the bore with a slug. Gotta try PRX for myself too.