Yesterday I spent the whole day with this thing. Took everything apart (except barrel), cleaned and reinstalled. Scrubbed the barrel totally clean, remounted the optics and hardware. Then put my original load through it, simply because I already had some loaded, and got this (the picture is rotated 90 degrees left; the shot on the left is really on top):
Short(er) barreled .338 RUM
- Thread starter Bravo 4
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Sorry about the multiple posts, can't get more than one picture to load...
Anyways, things I've noticed:
•It will NOT group worth a crap when hot (even warm)
•When totally cooled it will stack two shots together, but then heats up and goes stupid on me
•Shot it @ 400 and the velocity is actually about 100 fps faster than what my chronograph is telling me (will confirm all this out to 800 on my next outing).
Do y'all think I have a bedding problem or just a barrel that wasn't stress relieved very well?
This is a hunting rifle and so if it will always group two rounds together then I may be able to live with that, at least through this season. I'll only load one in the chamber and one in the mag.
I know the first one is the one that should count but I will shoot elk until I know they are down and not getting back up.
Anyways, things I've noticed:
•It will NOT group worth a crap when hot (even warm)
•When totally cooled it will stack two shots together, but then heats up and goes stupid on me
•Shot it @ 400 and the velocity is actually about 100 fps faster than what my chronograph is telling me (will confirm all this out to 800 on my next outing).
Do y'all think I have a bedding problem or just a barrel that wasn't stress relieved very well?
This is a hunting rifle and so if it will always group two rounds together then I may be able to live with that, at least through this season. I'll only load one in the chamber and one in the mag.
I know the first one is the one that should count but I will shoot elk until I know they are down and not getting back up.
WildRose
Well-Known Member
This may seem like its coming from left field but if it were me I think Id look at my loaded rounds and put a micrometer on them to see how consistent they are.
That's about the first place that's going to show changes due to heating.
That's about the first place that's going to show changes due to heating.
WildRose,
I'm not opposed to too much right now.
I did also try a couple faster powders to not avail.
JE Custom was right about a lot more blast (the suppressor tames all that), plus I think he is right about the brake's efficiency. Not a lot of difference in felt recoil when taken off. The recoil will get your attention and what difference the brake does make is welcome.
I'm not opposed to too much right now.
I did also try a couple faster powders to not avail.
JE Custom was right about a lot more blast (the suppressor tames all that), plus I think he is right about the brake's efficiency. Not a lot of difference in felt recoil when taken off. The recoil will get your attention and what difference the brake does make is welcome.
WildRose
Well-Known Member
All of that makes sense and to be honest if the recoil is that significant it could be causing you to flinch just a bit after a couple of shots.
This is something that was thought of as well. After years of shooting Barretts (one of the worse rifles to shoot) I have become accustomed to recoil and large blasts and am not particularly recoil sensitive, I'm sure you know the feeling. This is not my hardest recoiling rifle. However I know that it can happen to anyone and anyone can have a bad day. So to test me I had my buddy load (or not) the rifle for me several times to check. I also took frequent brakes and did a little dry fire session in between to concentrate on form and executing the shot.
I was also shooting my .408 and being spot on at 800 yards. That thing has a bit of a shove to it. Kinda weird to me and never experienced this, but started shooting it suppressed and the felt recoil seemed to increase. That is compared to just braked.
I'm good with that, guess I'll have to be. I know I sure took a beating, realized I had a headache on the way home.
