George: I have a 1974 Browning BAR semi-automatic 308 in excellent condition. I beleive that this rifle has not been shot very often. I purchased it in the fall.
I have been doing my own reloading for about 30 years. In my other lever action Winchester 308, I reload with IMR 4320 powder at 41.0 grains with a 180 grain Nosler Partition.
In my lever action, for 30 years, I consistantly got a 3 shot grouping within 1 and 1/2 inch circle. Yes the barrel was bedded.
With this Browning semi, same load structure, the 3 shot grouping is as follows:
The first shot is always lower than the other 2 in the grouping by 2 to 2 1/2 inches and the 2 remaining shots are always tight within a 1 and 1/2 inch circle.
The chart tells me that with the 4320 powder and the 180 grain bullet, I could go to 44.0 grains
Could you please advise a starting point to bring this circle on a 3 shot grouping closer.
The barrel has a single point contact to the stock (floating) and there is not wood contact to the barrel except under the chamber. The barrel and moving parts are clean with very little lubricant.
Your help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Gordon
I have been doing my own reloading for about 30 years. In my other lever action Winchester 308, I reload with IMR 4320 powder at 41.0 grains with a 180 grain Nosler Partition.
In my lever action, for 30 years, I consistantly got a 3 shot grouping within 1 and 1/2 inch circle. Yes the barrel was bedded.
With this Browning semi, same load structure, the 3 shot grouping is as follows:
The first shot is always lower than the other 2 in the grouping by 2 to 2 1/2 inches and the 2 remaining shots are always tight within a 1 and 1/2 inch circle.
The chart tells me that with the 4320 powder and the 180 grain bullet, I could go to 44.0 grains
Could you please advise a starting point to bring this circle on a 3 shot grouping closer.
The barrel has a single point contact to the stock (floating) and there is not wood contact to the barrel except under the chamber. The barrel and moving parts are clean with very little lubricant.
Your help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Gordon