I don't think there is a finite answer, although you most likely will never get #1 and #2 contours to shoot small consistently after multiple shots. The fact is the accuracy potential of a given barrel is random, read Boyer's book and he has a 4 or 5 tier rating system for barrels. The very best barrels (aka hummers) are extremely rare, but I don't doubt there are "hummer" barrels in the lighter contours....but they are more difficult to confirm. FWIW, if you peruse through the Benchrest Match reports, the LV or LG often outshoot the heavier barreled HV or HG in aggregate and some records are smaller in the LV or LG classes than their HV or HG counterparts. You have to figure out what you want to accomplish and set some goals. This will go far in helping the smith get the build right. Then you have to do your part and learn condition reading to reap the most benefit from the build.LH, Any thoughts on where in the contour ladder you start noticing markedly more consistency? And also as you keep going up in contour where you stop seeing noticeable gains?
Thanks,
John
I am very superstitious about some things, such as handing a pocket knife back the way it was handed to me, etc. So, when I want to shoot small groups, I will opt for a Shilen #5 contour, and a #4 can be iffy, will consult the Ouija Board first.Just the type of data I'm looking for. Thanks. Any preference between the contours you mentioned?
Thanks,
John
I am very superstitious about some things, such as handing a pocket knife back the way it was handed to me, etc. So, when I want to shoot small groups, I will opt for a Shilen #5 contour, and a #4 can be iffy, will consult the Ouija Board first.
I would defer to Dusty Stevens opinion.
I just got through working up a load for a Krieger 4 groove ss #2 contour in 308 with .090 freebore, 22" in length. It was hard to find small groups, but 3/4"-1.25" groups were easy to attain. I finally found a load with 41g of Benchmark with a 165g Nosler ballistic tip that shot tiny clover leafs...I had just about given up with regular powders and bullets, then hit the home run.
Amend! Thought no one was going to say it.Go to a shorter tube .
+1I have never not been able to get a #2 or #3 krieger or shilen to shoot to real fine hunting gun standards and most are better than normal. If you shoot more than 3 shot groups youre not in the hunting gun game anymore and need bigger tubes
Amend! Thought no one was going to say it.
While little cloverleaf 3 shot groups are pretty to look at, i don't feel they show the true potential of a hunting rifle.
The better indicator would be the cold bore grouping.
Set up target, shoot 1 round, leave.
Next day shoot 1 round, leave.
Repeat the next 3 days.
Other than this, get a full on target setup.
First shot goes to the same place as the second and third- thats cold bore accuracySome folks (like me) want to shoot their hunting rigs more often and having repeatability and accuracy is important, especially when developing loads for them.
Besides, having a hunting rifle that prints cloverleafs doesn’t mean it can’t have first shot cold bore accuracy, does it?
First shot goes to the same place as the second and third- thats cold bore accuracy