I normally limit my contributions to THR to the reloading forum, but this is not that, although it appears to be a problem uncovered by reloading. The gun has accuracy issues.
So rifle in question is a lightly used Rem 700 BDL in 6mm Rem that has been in the inventory since 1978. Lightly used, cause once sighted in, it would kill a deer, then go back into storage. There were long stretches when it wasn't used at all. Never used anything but factory and probably not over 100 rounds of that ever. Now that I'm reloading for all rifles, finally got around to loading for this gun. First discovery was how crappy the trigger was......which was solved by replacing factory with Timney trigger.
But once that was resolved, first step in reloading was to finish off around 30 rounds of old, mixed lots of factory ammo for the brass. Groups were less than stellar......around 2 to 3 inches at best.....but considering the ammo, was not a concern.
However, first groups of reloads were no better and same pattern. A lot of horizontal stringing. Part of that could be me, part wind.....but not to the extent I saw. Not expecting bench rest accuracy levels, but do expect 1 MOA or better from hand loads. 3 and 4 inch spreads is not going to cut it.
Starting doing some research on these vintage Remington's and a couple things popped up. One was debate on free floating the barrel (or not). Something about a support post. This one has not had anything done to it. A dollar bill won't go anywhere.
Then it comes down to either you get an accurate gun from the box, or you don't. If not, free floating, bedding and replacement stocks come up.
Is there consensus on what to do?