What to do with a non-shooting gun

[montana_native]

I inherrited a Model 70 in 7 mag from my dad about six years ago. I have casually been working with loads in that time and have never found anything that would work very well.

Accuracy is not good nor is velocity. I figured the accuracy to be me since the thing kicks like a mule. The more I played with loads the more I started thinking something might be wrong with the gun. The most velocity I can get with a 140 gr bullet is 2700 fps. The best group I have ever shot with the thing is around 3". I had it rebedded once and it didn't do much.

I am not a gunsmith and am a novice hand loader but I think I may have a freebore problem. In order to seat the bullet 0.020" off the lands, the OAL length needs to be 3.390" which is WAY longer than the books tell me and also the round will not fit in the magazine at this length. The bullet was a 162 gr Hornady SST. This load provided the best accuracy...which is obviously still not very good.

I have been talking with some people who tell me Winchester built some sketchy guns in the late 60's with poor QC. This gun was built in 1968. I spoke with a local gunsmith who wants to rebarrel it,naturally) but for $600 I can get a new gun. Anyone have some insight on what to try? I've been fighting this thing for a long time and am about ready to stick it in the closet for good.

Thanks.

 

[LarryDScott]

Taking in consideration that the rifle, due to it being a heavy recoiling caliber, it has probably not been shot enough to do it any harm. If you want to keep the factory barrel, a good gunsmith could cut the necessary threads off the chamber end and ream a chamber w/a shorter throat,thus reducing bullet jump and hopefully improving accuracy.
There is also a possibility of a bad crown, or if you havent experimented with a variety of bullets, this could also be the problem. Larry

 

[Charliemac]

I would perform a through careful cleaning first. Use a good copper remover like Montana Extreme or Sweets and then use some JB. It could have never been properly cleaned when it was new. Inspect the crown with a magnifier and look for wear/ damage as stated by Larry. If it checks out try shooting it again. The Ruger 7mm RM I used to have always like 165 Sierra GameKings much better than the lighter bullets.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I would give it to me

 

[patchhound]

I`de say that bbl`s cooked, 2700fps w/ a 140gr`er don`t sound good. I shot out my 7rm in around 650rnds but that was a Rem 700. If you still wanted to use the gun a new bbl should be in order...Last time I checked there was a few 7mm`s in stock at Midway. I think dad`s old hunting gun w/ a new bbl. and a trued up Win action would be a nice thing to have.

 

[montana_native]

I just traded a few e-mails with Kirby Allen. He's close to me. I think I'll let him sort it out. I just can't believe the barrel would be out. It's only seen 200 rounds or so.

Thanks guys.

 

[Rustystud]

Clean the rifle thoroughly and take it to a quality gunsmith for evaluation. Have him examine the barrel with a borescope.

Factory barrels are not the best from the start. If one has not been cared for and continually shot they can last only a few hundred shots.

If it want shoot 1.5 moa or better with premium factory ammo it has some underlying problem. It could be a number of things.

It is easier to rule out the less expensive problem first.

Good luck
Rustystud

 

[papatch]

Let me say first off, I'm not a gunsmith by any stretch. But I have "tuned up" a couple of rifles for friends. All I needed was a screw driver, cleaning rod, sweets, sand paper, turtle care wax, lighter fluid and a pocket knife.

1) Remove the scope. Place it in the bottom rings and re-center the crosshairs. Place a cross on the wall and spin the scope. Watch the crosshairs, make necessary adjustments.

2) Remove the scope bases. Make sure the screws are not too long. The screws must not touch the barrel threads.


3) Re-install the scope using Leupold or burris mounts. The rear set of rings is windage adjustable. Adjust the ring mount connection for windage.

4) Make sure the scope crosshairs are not canted.

5) Make sure the bolt handle isn't touching the stock.

6) Make sure the barrel isn't touching the stock.

7) Glass bed the action, especially the recoil lug.

8) Clean the triger and bolt. Lightly oil the bolt parts. Do not oil the trigger.

The last rifle I "tuned up" took about three hours. Cleaning the neglectd bore took over an hour.

 

[Twud]

Gotta' agree with Patch work, it's the barrel. I shot a 257 Wby out in 400 rounds. Had it rebarelled and it now shoots in the 3's.
The big advantage of rebarreling is the quality of the new barrel will be far superior than that of any new factory gun you might buy. You can also deal with your freebore issue when you have it reamed. And last, you'll still have you Dad's gun.