Two groups at same time? Same gun and ammo

[Laelkhunter]

Check to make sure the fore end bolt is tightened to factory recommendation (I'm not sure what it is). We had someone come to our range with one (BAR in 30/06), and it was doing the same thing. Through exam, we discovered the fore end bolt wasn't tight. He tightened it up, and it started shooting 1 inch groups again. It was something easily overlooked, but easily corrected. Try to determine what the suggested torque is for the fore end bolt, and tighten to those specs.
Also, I recommend you allow time for the rifle to cool down a little between 3 shot groups. Leave the chamber open (Bolt to the rear), and allow at least 1 minute between shots, and 5 minutes between groups. Don't leave a round in the chamber while you are waiting 60 seconds for the next shot. The hot chamber can cause the temps inside the cartridge to heat up, and could cause erratic groups. Don't chamber the next round until ready to shoot it.

 

[Rich Coyle]

Don't forget to try a different scope.

 

[Dean2]

Check to make sure the fore end bolt is tightened to factory recommendation (I'm not sure what it is). We had someone come to our range with one (BAR in 30/06), and it was doing the same thing. Through exam, we discovered the fore end bolt wasn't tight. He tightened it up, and it started shooting 1 inch groups again. It was something easily overlooked, but easily corrected. Try to determine what the suggested torque is for the fore end bolt, and tighten to those specs.
Also, I recommend you allow time for the rifle to cool down a little between 3 shot groups. Leave the chamber open (Bolt to the rear), and allow at least 1 minute between shots, and 5 minutes between groups. Don't leave a round in the chamber while you are waiting 60 seconds for the next shot. The hot chamber can cause the temps inside the cartridge to heat up, and could cause erratic groups. Don't chamber the next round until ready to shoot it.

Good explanation, it is what I was going to write.

Assuming you are correct that nothing is loose, scope is good; BAR groups walk up as barrel heats. Forend is not floated so consistently resting the forearm in exactly the same place is critical when you shoot off a bench, I always rested mine on the forend bolt. You have to recheck POI using the exact same rest and hold you will use hunting to ensure you are hitting the same as you did rested off the bench.

 

[FEENIX]

Don't forget to try a different scope.

Agreed! Also, a different NUT behind the trigger.

 

[Stammster]

What caliber, weight bullet, and powder type?

 

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

Could be due to the way your barrel vibrates during firing. Barrel harmonics. Alter your load slightly and see if things change.

 

[Jon Bischof]

Shooting browning b a r with hand loads it shot two very nice groups but they were 3" apart!!!!!! That's 6 shots. Total

Have 3 BAR's, two Safaris and a Shortrac. Used them for decades. Not much you can do about the forestock except make sure it is screwed on tight. That's not your problem.

Your Problem exists at some point between the receiver and the scope. Between the time you shot the first group and the second--something moved.

It has to be in one of these places.
1. Base screws not holding
2. Rings not holding
3. Scope reticle not holding

You never mentioned what scope mount you are you using??

I would take the scope and base off and start over with new hardware screws if necessary. And I know many will tell you it is unnecessary but I always use Thread-lock of some type on base and ring screws, It probably isn't necessary but doesn't hurt as long as you don't over torque them. Gives some added peace of mind and confidence.

 

[David Emerson]

I would check your mounts to see if they are loose. If that isn,t it try a different scope

 

[Stgraves260]

Very interesting. The Browning BAR is built like a shot gun. So I would not even know where to start on how to glass bed the action. LoL Have you ever reloaded for a AR? When reloading for a auto in some cases you have to crimp the neck. It's because there is so much movement in the mechanics of the action it will sometimes cause the bullet to change it's seating depth. That might be a good starting point for you. Hope this helps.

 

[Stgraves260]

((John Bischof )) would prob be the best gentleman to help with this. He stated he has 3 Bars. He would probably know quite a bit.

 

[Pdvdh]

I just shot a 3 shot .5" group sunday, then shot 2 shots into almost the same exact hole, 2" right 1" up. Nothing changed.

looked at my scope, rings were loose, scope slid back and had a new zero. OOPS!

Devil is often present in those kinda details.

 

[Mike Matteson]

I have friend that had a BAR in 300 Win Mag. One time it shoot a great group at 100yds, and the next time it wouldn't hit the paper, hit the ground in front of, and above it. It was all factory ammo too. He was going elk hunting in a few days at that time. He came to me and ask me about it. I watch him shot it and watch the bullet hit above and below and on at the target. He turn it in for a 7mm Rem. Mag. in a 700 BDL. He didn't have much time to get the rifle set up, and my brother was going with him hunting and he shot a 7 Rem Mag too. He work up a load for it just what he was using in his rifle. I finish off checking the groups. We came up with 5 shot group at 1/2" at a 100yds from out of the box rifle. The real interesting part of this is. We all meet up in a afternoon to see how it worked for my friend. He couldn't hit the paper at 100yds with it. We moved back to 25yds with him and got the rifle set for him. Move back to 100yds, and adjust the scope to his style of holding his rifle. He printed a 1/2" @ 100yds also. He got his elk that years too.

 

[deweyduck]

Good explanation, it is what I was going to write.

Assuming you are correct that nothing is loose, scope is good; BAR groups walk up as barrel heats. Forend is not floated so consistently resting the forearm in exactly the same place is critical when you shoot off a bench, I always rested mine on the forend bolt. You have to recheck POI using the exact same rest and hold you will use hunting to ensure you are hitting the same as you did rested off the bench.

 

[deweyduck]

Resting the forearm on the same spot is something i HAVE NEVER OBSERVED. But thanks to this comment, that is now changed forever.