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Two groups at same time? Same gun and ammo

I've had several BAR's and 1 in particular that would shoot all over the place. I made some shims to go between the fore end and the attachment point on the barrel and it did the trick. You can also try different amounts of torque to the fore end/ sling attachment stud. I have an older Grade II in my safe right now that used to be very accurate but hasn't been fired in a while. That particular rifle was ordered in 1967 when they first came out. It's a 30-06 but I've owned several others.
 
Dean2 mentioned the forearm placement on the rest, which is very important. Also your place on the stool or seat. Had you walked down to the target between groups? It certainly doesn't take much to change POI on a hunting rifle. The temperature of the bags or difference in "stickness" of the bags can move you an inch or two. Your grip upon the rifle especially the trigger hand can move a group diagonally fast. The lighter the rifle the more it will move with difference in grip & trigger control. I am still learning all these quirks in my retirement. Consistency certainly is the key.
Randy
 
I also put shims between the forearm and barrel on the Shortrac. It shoots Sub-MOA. But the OP's problem, if he allowed barrel to cool between groups is probably Scope/rings/base related. If he didn't allow barrel to cool between shots, then he's not really getting a representation of the POI from a cold, 1st shot.
 
You may need to put a crimp on your reloads. If the action is picking up a round it may be pushing your projectile in or off center this can change the bullet strike. How were your groups shot? Cold clean bore for first group. Scope eye position can also cause groups to move
 
I also put shims between the forearm and barrel on the Shortrac. It shoots Sub-MOA. But the OP's problem, if he allowed barrel to cool between groups is probably Scope/rings/base related. If he didn't allow barrel to cool between shots, then he's not really getting a representation of the POI from a cold, 1st shot.
When you talk of shimming. Exactly where did you place the shims. Could you do a permanent shim job with Devcon. I know on my Ruger 1s I drill and tap the hanger the forearm attaches to so i can use a set screw to apply pressure to the barrel so that they are no longer choosy about rest location and hanger vibration but that doesn't seem to be an option with the BARs i own.
 
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Been written about before, but make sure the front mount screws are not contacting the barrel threads before they pull the base down tight against the receiver.
 
Dean2, I put a shim between the end of the forearm and the barrel--mainly to eliminate any rattle, but it did not hurt the groups either. I suspect the OP will get back to us eventually with the problem identified. But it is a lot harder to identify them on BAR's. Some shoot fantastic and some cannot be made to shoot well. Luck of the draw.

When you talk of shimming. Exactly where did you place the shims. Could you do a permanent shim job with Devcon. I know on my Ruger 1s I drill and tap the hanger the forearm attaches to so i can use a set screw to apply pressure to the barrel so that they are no longer choosy about rest location and hanger vibration but that doesn't seem to be an option with the BARs i own.
 
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.
 
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.
checked scope mounting on a new vortex scope! Let it cool between each shot as well as groups. The fore end bolt is also the sling swivel stud. No sling on it! Ill find proper torque and check this bolt. This is a semi automatic rifle you are aware I'm sure. No rounds left in gun! We did find that the cooler the barrel the higher the shots hit!!! Hotter barrel made shots go lower, bassackards from a bolt gun!?! Go figure
 
I've had several BAR's and 1 in particular that would shoot all over the place. I made some shims to go between the fore end and the attachment point on the barrel and it did the trick. You can also try different amounts of torque to the fore end/ sling attachment stud. I have an older Grade II in my safe right now that used to be very accurate but hasn't been fired in a while. That particular rifle was ordered in 1967 when they first came out. It's a 30-06 but I've owned several others.
Awesome great information thanks sir
 
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