Nature Boy
Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Messages
- 8,278
I'd start by shooting it more
Accuracy issue...Where would you start?
- Thread starter Sniper66
- Start date
- Status
Skylerbone
Member
Never used better than Sweets and not for lack of trying. When used as directed there is no chance of damaging the bore. The OP is free to choose who's advice to follow or ignore it all, but Hoppes to ProShot, Bore Butter, G96, Gunslick, Ballistol, Frog Lube, Super Lube, WD Guncare, Tetra, and dozens more, you'd be hard pressed to find something I haven't tried.
For heavy lead removal, Chore Boy. Normal lead removal, Montana Cowboy Blend works fine.
Heavy copper fouling, Sweets. Between sessions standard cleaning, ProShot Copper Solvent.
General all around clean up, BoreShine, Frog Lube, or MPro7 CLP.
These are things that work well for me. If your mileage varies, check your odometer.
OK....I'm doing the easiest 1st__scrub the bore really well. Then shoot more. Practice should help some, but having shot a lot with many different rifles doubt it will help a lot. Might tweak the trigger some. BTW I also have another Remington 700, but it's a VLS .243 with a heavy 26" barrel. It's quite a lot different from the rifle is question, which is a 270 with 22" sport barrel. The .243 has killed 3 deer, all shot just under the chin which almost takes the head off.. Other than that I don't have much experience shooting bigger calibers. Have used the .243 with 58gr bullets for long distance prairie dogs (my reloads). For deer I zero it with 100 gr bullets (factory loads). Might decide to take the easy way out and just trade it. I'll keep at it for awhile. May have to use my .243 this year. Oh well, could be worse if it was the only rifle I had.
OK.......here's some of what I figured out. I scrubbed the bore really well. I checked the anchor screws and the scope mount...tightened one anchor screw. Used a different rest, something similar to a lead sled. I replaced the front rest (which was wobbly) with a sand bag. The stability of the rest allowed me to work on my trigger squeeze and shot some additional groups using factory ammo and my hand loads. The factory ammo grouped about 2". My hand loads were very tight almost touching at 100 yards....really great group. Then I shot from a tripod which I'll use in my deer blind. Groupings were not nearly as good. Here's what I learned. The rifle is not well balanced for ME. I don't like the sport barrel or the trigger. I also shot a few shots with my Remington 700 VLS with a 26" heavy barrel and an adjusted trigger to 2 lbs. My groups were much better...not as good as a rock steady rest but acceptable for deer. So, now I need to make a decision. Do I put a new trigger in it, probably a Timney, which may help some?. But, I'll still have a rifle that isn't well balanced for my particular issues. BTW, I have a tremor that isn't getting better with age. Weird thing is I can hit squirrels in the head with my Sako FinnFire that is considerably lighter than my .270??? Go figure. OK, so my confidence in the rifle went way up....3 bullseyes..., but confidence in MY ability to shoot it in hunting situations is not so good. I've been looking at other rifles on Gun Broker and may have one by the end of next week. Or I could just shoot one of my other rifles. I just hate to give up on this rifle. I'll appreciate any additional comments. Thank you. Tom
Skylerbone
Member
You're less than $150 away from being "less uncertain", something I still wouldn't risk the money on just yet. I don't recall you stating which trigger you have at present but there's a good chance that whichever it is, it is recalled or adjustable, or both.
If you feel comfortable making small changes to pull weight, have a scale to measure the change with, and are willing to test and re-test the safety of what you have done it may suffice. Just be doubly cautious and make sure you clean the trigger before using it. You won't be able to mimic 2 lbs safely, but you could verify what you have and note whether 3 1/2 gets you in the right direction (and getting used to the additional recoil wouldn't be a bad idea either.
In fact, I'd recommend a good recoil pad at this point to eliminate its anticipation as another potential culprit. Each of us has our own threshold. In my youth I shot a ton of high brass through my 12ga with a plastic butt stock till my shoulder was purple. Not these days though. I'll still run 50 rounds of -06 at a sitting but not without a good pad. Otherwise I think your groups indicate your marksmanship is no longer under scrutiny.
If you feel comfortable making small changes to pull weight, have a scale to measure the change with, and are willing to test and re-test the safety of what you have done it may suffice. Just be doubly cautious and make sure you clean the trigger before using it. You won't be able to mimic 2 lbs safely, but you could verify what you have and note whether 3 1/2 gets you in the right direction (and getting used to the additional recoil wouldn't be a bad idea either.
In fact, I'd recommend a good recoil pad at this point to eliminate its anticipation as another potential culprit. Each of us has our own threshold. In my youth I shot a ton of high brass through my 12ga with a plastic butt stock till my shoulder was purple. Not these days though. I'll still run 50 rounds of -06 at a sitting but not without a good pad. Otherwise I think your groups indicate your marksmanship is no longer under scrutiny.
illinoisburt
Member
[QUOTE/] ... The factory ammo grouped about 2". My hand loads were very tight almost touching at 100 yards....really great group. Then I shot from a tripod which I'll use in my deer blind. Groupings were not nearly as good. Here's what I learned. The rifle is not well balanced for ME. I don't like the sport barrel or trigger...[/QUOTE]
I think you have answered your own questions. Obviously you found the accuracy issue - loose screws will pretty much guaranty shifting poi with every shot - and the gun now shoots like it should with factory and handloads. Good on you!
Now for the next step. My recommendation is trade or sell for something which fits you and your shooting style rather than trying to force fit the gun. There is nothing wrong with admitting it works but not how you like it. No different than trading a working car. Get one that makes you comfortable and gives you confidence. There are just too many better options to waste time fighting. Someone else will find it a better tool for their uses, while you can move on to a gun that fits your needs as well.
I think you have answered your own questions. Obviously you found the accuracy issue - loose screws will pretty much guaranty shifting poi with every shot - and the gun now shoots like it should with factory and handloads. Good on you!
Now for the next step. My recommendation is trade or sell for something which fits you and your shooting style rather than trying to force fit the gun. There is nothing wrong with admitting it works but not how you like it. No different than trading a working car. Get one that makes you comfortable and gives you confidence. There are just too many better options to waste time fighting. Someone else will find it a better tool for their uses, while you can move on to a gun that fits your needs as well.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Thanks for reporting your progress.
Given what you've said at this point, I wouldn't spend the money on a new trigger. You haven't said what trigger is in it, but older Remington triggers can be adjusted fairly easily. Do it yourself if you feel up to it, or have a gunsmith do the work. The post-recall X-Mark Pro trigger can more easily be adjusted. But getting the trigger right won't change your dislike of the way the gun balances. So I wouldn't spend the money.
You have demonstrated that the gun can be made to shoot, but you don't like it. So it's time to let it go in favor of something you do like. You can part with it knowing that the gun is fine, but not for you. That's what I did with my 1911; learned it was a fine gun, but it didn't float my boat. Let it go with no regrets.
Given what you've said at this point, I wouldn't spend the money on a new trigger. You haven't said what trigger is in it, but older Remington triggers can be adjusted fairly easily. Do it yourself if you feel up to it, or have a gunsmith do the work. The post-recall X-Mark Pro trigger can more easily be adjusted. But getting the trigger right won't change your dislike of the way the gun balances. So I wouldn't spend the money.
You have demonstrated that the gun can be made to shoot, but you don't like it. So it's time to let it go in favor of something you do like. You can part with it knowing that the gun is fine, but not for you. That's what I did with my 1911; learned it was a fine gun, but it didn't float my boat. Let it go with no regrets.
If you adjust the trigger on the Remington 700 pay attention to the safety test. If firmly striking the butt of the gun on the floor causes the gun to fire it is adjusted too light. The trigger is not hard to adjust, if I can do it anyone can. Look on youTube for some instructional videos.
Jackal
Member
I'd start by tightening EVERYTHING down. Then I'd let someone else shoot for groups to rule myself out.
A big thank you for all the thoughtful responses. I'll be looking to trade/sell it. I can do it with a clear conscience too, knowing that it is really quite accurate when all the ducks are lined up. I've never sold a gun knowingly that had a problem without telling the buyer about the issues. Thanks again. Tom
- Status
