Factory Rifles, sometimes you get lucky
- Thread starter Shumba1
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I'm reading this thread with great interest…
Correcting a factory rifle's bedding issues coupled with a little savvy load development can reveal some amazing accuracy performance.
I cringe at the prices of the "multiple K$" rifles…I won't name names but several thousand dollars above the price of "factory" rifles is laughable for a tenth or two of promised better performance.
Ferrari makes a great car but so does Toyota.
Correcting a factory rifle's bedding issues coupled with a little savvy load development can reveal some amazing accuracy performance.
I cringe at the prices of the "multiple K$" rifles…I won't name names but several thousand dollars above the price of "factory" rifles is laughable for a tenth or two of promised better performance.
Ferrari makes a great car but so does Toyota.
Lenny Foffa
Well-Known Member
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- Mar 6, 2017
- Messages
- 1,654
Really Excellent results!! I hope you are very pleased!! Although I would have fun making up hand loads with the cases you just fired in that chamber, I would not touch the rifle, or attempt to tune it any way!!! You have a super fine, expensive Watch. Don't ,mess with it !!!Just enjoy it and be happy!!
Every Remington 788 that I've owned or shot and every Remington 700 Classic that I've shot or seen shot at the range!! I read somewhere that they were using Hart barrels for some of the 788's?
I have a Kimber 8400 Varmint rifle in 22-250 that shoots honest 1 hole 5 shot groops at 100 yards!!
I have a Smith and Wesson Custom Shop AR-15 platform rifle that shoots 1.5" groups at 300 yards with hand loads, that surprised the heck out of me, I didn't think a AR style rifle could shoot that accurately!!
I have a Kimber 8400 Varmint rifle in 22-250 that shoots honest 1 hole 5 shot groops at 100 yards!!
I have a Smith and Wesson Custom Shop AR-15 platform rifle that shoots 1.5" groups at 300 yards with hand loads, that surprised the heck out of me, I didn't think a AR style rifle could shoot that accurately!!
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You did get lucky with that. I have the same exact rifle and it never shot good from day one. I got mine probably at the same storeHowdy, I got one a few years ago at Sportsmen's Warehouse, they had the Meateater Vanguard marked down to 799.00 I grabbed a 6.5-300. This thing shoots 1 ragged hole with factory ammo and hand loads. It's become one of my favorite rifles.
I have a few, all hunting rifles. Nosler M48 270 1-10 twist shooting the handloaded 150 ABLR to just over 1/2", generally 2 in one hole and the third just outside that. Adding the 124 Hammer Hunter to it's list. Thinking they will be lazers.
Pretty much the same for a Savage 116 1-8 twist in 6.5-284 and Nosler Trophy Grade 130 AB ammo. It shoots the factory ammo as good/better than I can reload for it and super accurate out to 700 yds. Hoping to make a trip for antelope soon with this rifle.
Rem 700 varmint .223 1-12 twist, so only light bullets, that I was never satisfied with the accuracy. Stainless with 26" fluted bbl. Tried a whole bunch of factory stuff, but none shot extremely well. Tried to sell it several times and no takers. Finally reloaded for it after a few years of mediocrity, 55 grain SMKs with H 4198 was the ticket. 5 shots in a dime sized clover leaf pattern. It is headed to South Dakota the end of May to chase down a whole bunch of PDs. Probably won't be up for sale again any time soon.
Latest to the stable is a Bergara B14 Hunter grade in 300 WM shooting 180 AccuBonds 3 shots into literally one ragged hole. I am working on more of the same load and a range trip to verify that load, but fairly certain it is a stone shooter. **** thing kicks like crazy but is very light and is a perfect hunting rifle. Bought a brake for it, but may not install it, shoots too good to mess it up.
Pretty much the same for a Savage 116 1-8 twist in 6.5-284 and Nosler Trophy Grade 130 AB ammo. It shoots the factory ammo as good/better than I can reload for it and super accurate out to 700 yds. Hoping to make a trip for antelope soon with this rifle.
Rem 700 varmint .223 1-12 twist, so only light bullets, that I was never satisfied with the accuracy. Stainless with 26" fluted bbl. Tried a whole bunch of factory stuff, but none shot extremely well. Tried to sell it several times and no takers. Finally reloaded for it after a few years of mediocrity, 55 grain SMKs with H 4198 was the ticket. 5 shots in a dime sized clover leaf pattern. It is headed to South Dakota the end of May to chase down a whole bunch of PDs. Probably won't be up for sale again any time soon.
Latest to the stable is a Bergara B14 Hunter grade in 300 WM shooting 180 AccuBonds 3 shots into literally one ragged hole. I am working on more of the same load and a range trip to verify that load, but fairly certain it is a stone shooter. **** thing kicks like crazy but is very light and is a perfect hunting rifle. Bought a brake for it, but may not install it, shoots too good to mess it up.
Mike Matteson
Well-Known Member
I have taken 7 Rem Mag from the box, and with loads that were develop in other rifles, did the same. Shot tight groups at the start and got better with some shooting.
I had a Ruger 77 in 338 that shot one hole groups with 200g BTs. Funny thing was the barrel had not been drilled straight through the blank (you couldn't see through the full diameter when bore sighting). It sure was a shooter though….
Shortmagman
Well-Known Member
As sated above i got lucky with the Rem 700 in 7mmSAUM but i got unlucky with my latest rifle. I have been fascinated with the 6.8 Western since i am a fan of the 270 Win and the 270 WSM. I have never owned a Browning rifle so I saw an X-bolt in 6.8 Western so i bought it. It has been a great disappointment. Two to three inch groups with the two factory loads i have tried. I am a handloader so i have tried a number of bullets and powder combinations. I think i have shot one three shot group close to half an inch most are one to two inches . I am ready to get rid of my first X-bolt
Contact Browning and tell them what problems you're having with the rifle, and get them to email you a shipping label. I had a similar problem with a X bolt, and after they examined the rifle, they couldn't get it to shoot either. They ended up sending me a new rifle.
Shortmagman
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the advice.
Recently acquired a Tikka T3 300wsm like new with the factory stock and a B&C stock at the LGS for 599, shoots like a standard Tikka, 180 gr Norma Bondstrikes at 3050fps in small groups.
They have good customer service. Browning BAR was shooting good but cratering primers and a few pierced too. Mailed back to Browning after completing online form. They sent me brand new rifle no questions asked. My two x- bolt pro's in 6.8 Western and 300 PRC are good shooters.
