Weatherby Guys?

[MuskyTrap]

I have a weatherby mark v chambered in 30-06 thats seeming to be a pain to get to shoot. Its becoming an addiction really, and slowly morphing into another hobby from the looks of things.

Im pondering on doing some work with the stock/barrel. I am pretty confident that the inconsistency is not entirely me. Im not a seasoned bench shooter, but feel confident that I am not causing the inconsistency. I know that for a deer rifle, it will probably do its job, as it has in the past. However I do feel that it is capable of more.

Long story short. . .

I have been consistently shooting inconsistent.

Any experience in this situation? The rifle is currently stock, off of the shelf.

Here are a few examples:

168gr Federal Match Kings at 100yds

150gr Federal in the Blue Box

165gr Fusion

150gr Core Lokt

165gr Fusion at 200yds

[NoWiser]

The 165 Fusion doesn't look too bad. What type of scope do you have on it? I know a few guys that cursed their rifles out when it was the scope/mounts that were the real problem.

[Gordie]

A few things to check would be as mentioned the scope and mounts would be my first check next, I would check it to see how well the barrel is free floated in the stock you can do this by sliding a dollar bill around the barrel and sliding it between the barrel and stock. There should be no restriction and dollar bill should be easily moved through out.

Next I would check the crown on the end of the barrel, this is a area that is over looked by most and it is a vital area of the guns accuracy. The crown should be free of imperfections.

You should also check the stock to receiver bolts and make sure that they torqued to specs.

What does the chamber look like?

You can also check for fowling in the rifling from copper deposits from shooting, and look for pitting in the barrel also.

Ammo can cause a lot of problems too but it looks like you are testing different ammo.

These are simple checks ,but most of the work that may need to be done should be done by a qualified gunsmith.

[MuskyTrap]

The scope is a nikon prostaff 3-9x40

I have checked mounts/rings to make sure they were snug. (that was my first thought) Everything was tight, but I did not torque anything to spec.

Ive done the dollar bill trick, cant make it an inch. (was my reasoning for doing some stock work)

As far as copper fouling in the barrel, it was cleaned prior to shooting with a copper solvent and from what I could tell shouldnt be an issue.

Ill have a look at the crown in the mean time.

Thanks for the insight so far guys.

[Ufatz]

You have two groups there that are not that bad. You may be creating a problem where not exists-looks to me like the variable is the ammo, not the rifle, although it will not hurt to do all the checks previously mentioned.

I'm no expert rifleman but I sometimes think we expect too much and demand accuracy that is sorta pointless unless you are in competition shooting. If you are putting three bullets into a 3" circle at 200 yards what else to you need. Years ago I had a Schultz & Larsen 7X61 S&H that a pal did a three shot group you could cover with a DIME!! We all ooooeed and ahhhhhhed about that. But I still missed a standing shot on a carabou one day!!! Got him with the next one though! LOL

[SmilinBob]

Your shots are stringing, the most likely causes are barrel/stock contact, incorrect torque of stock screws and lastly trigger control. The weatherby actions are about the best for squareness and consistency on the market. As the barrel heats and vibrations chance with shooting it will change the contact spots and pressures on the stock, thus throwing shots. Check with a local gunsmith, I know one with an accuracy package that addresses these very issues.

[leech~~]

What kind bench rest are you shooting off of? If you can't put the gun back in the same spot after jacking in another round that maybe a big part of it. Your shots look like a little shooter flinch if you ask me.

[HNTNBUX]

If my rifle performed like that I would be at the gunsmith tomorrow because I would not be able to sleep at night.

[MuskyTrap]

I shot a set with each of these rounds on a bipod and sand bags in back initially. With some thought, I removed the bipod and went with a bag on both ends.

I am most certain the error is not from flinching, nor anticipating the shot itself.

Between each set of 3 I would also allow a little time for cooling. The barrel was never hot enough that it was uncomfortable to hold on to.

For now its going to get shot at a deer as I am rarely presented with a shot thats more than 75 yds. However. . . When season is over, I think that may be my cabin fever project.

[jay83196]

Clean your barrel between every few shots, I had that same issue with new gun last year every few shots they drifted, I spoke to gun smith he suggested cleaning every few shots it worked it was also 30-06. It's expensive but it shoots great the weatherby brand ammo, the noslar partition and Barnes bullets in the Weatherby loads shoot great in mine.