Help Me Understand "Accurizing" A Rifle

[joefrank64k]

I like the 5r idea.

I will definitely remain as the weak link in this equation for quite awhile so if a 5r with an upgraded trigger is a good place to start that's fine with me. More $ to spend on a class and ammo and I think trigger time is one of the most valuable things I could do. Doesn't do any good to have the most accurate rifle in the world if I can't shoot!

I'd actually done some reading on the 5r a while ago and thought I remembered a few different models. Is there a a difference between a 5R and a 5R milspec at all or is it just different people referring to the same gun in different ways? I see the model # listed above but not sure if it changed anytime over the past few years or if any with a 24" barrel would be that model.


I see them pop up on a local forum every now and then for $800-$1k so I'll start keeping an eye out and see if I can snag one on the cheap.

The Model 29663 is the one you want...stainless action and stainless 24" barrel.

[Horrendo Revolver]

The biggest problems with factory rifles are the triggers suck the stocks are too flexible and they all need bedding and the barrels are not capable of great accuracy.
The trigger is the easiest fix because it doesn't affect anything else.
If you bed a factory stock you will get rid of the major fliers but you just spent good bedding money on a factory stock that will be needed again when you swap out the stock.
If your going to true up the action this needs to be done before you put on a new barrel.
If your in Texas look up S&S Precision owned by Stick Stark.
He is a well known gunsmith that does quality work.

Stick retired. One of his employees(can't remember the name) bought the name and equipment and opened up shop elsewhere. The original location is only a mile from my house.

[bazineta]

There are a lot of nice things you can do to a rifle. However, these days, it's actually a bit unusual if you can't find a load that a decent factory rifle won't shoot at least MOA with.

Assuming the rifle is of sufficient quality and the shooter knows what they're doing, it then comes down to ammunition consistency. Factory ammo typically will have a velocity SD of 15 to 20+ fps, which at long range isn't competitive; the long range crowd is looking for an SD of 5fps (0.5 MOA of vertical dispersion at 1000 yards) to 10fps (1 MOA of dispersion at 1000 yards).

So in order, I'd put in a decent trigger, since a great trigger is a joy to use, and then hand load for it.

There's just a lot of stuff you can do after that; all of it is fun, and a lot of it will help.

[bridgeport]

Just took a look at Remingtons website, and I see that they are now doing what they call the "gen 2" in various chambering's including .260. Seems like a step in the right direction.

[leeber18]

I was in the same boat and i decided on buying the 5R in 308. I ended up buying a jewel trigger, and started with Federal gold medal match. Then i worked on a hand load for the rifle and it turned out to be extremely accurate at relatively long distances. I have shot it out to 850 yards and realized i need to practice a little more at -700 (800+ yards seems to be where i start to mess shots up).

All in all, i am happy with the decision to purchase the 5R. its a good rifle with a stainless action for when you re-barrel.

One thing i must mention is this rifle is not the lightest. If you plan to carry it around on a hunting trip then be prepared for a little more weight. Mine is about 11.5 lbs. with a 4-14 nightforce and my bipod. It isn't that heavy but it has a lot of the weight up toward the front making standing shots just a little more difficult if you aren't a big person.

Good luck with the decision.

[vliberatore]

I'm going to disagree.
If he starts with an SPS, he needs a stock before a trigger and ammo because the SPS stocks use the barrel to support the stock.
He needs a stock that properly floats the barrel before ammo and trigger can help him very much.
Once a good stock is in place, put a good trigger in it and use good ammo.
After that, it takes lots of practice until he can out-shoot the existing barrel.

I know I've asked this before, but from your experience, what kind of accuracy is to be expected from a factory SPS barrel?

[calif 15-22]

I would say get a bigger target or move closer!

Just trying to lighten it up a bit.

5R will be on my short list when I venture into precision shooting shortly. Dollar for dollar out of the box it's hard to beat. (IMHO)

[milotrain]

I know I've asked this before, but from your experience, what kind of accuracy is to be expected from a factory SPS barrel?

suspect that's due to the stock.

This info is next to near useless as the eliseo chassis throws a huge wrench into the mix, but there it is.

[ar15barrels]

I know I've asked this before, but from your experience, what kind of accuracy is to be expected from a factory SPS barrel?

I expect 5/8 moa.
Some are better and some are worse (usually shooter related), but in general, that are 5/8moa barrels.

[maidendeth13]

I expect 5/8 moa.
Some are better and some are worse (usually shooter related), but in general, that are 5/8moa barrels.

Hmm. I'd be pretty happy with 5/8" MOA starting out.

What kinda accuracy could be expected out of the 5R?

Ordered the 5R this afternoon from mile high shooting in CO. Free shipping to my FFL and a $15 Transfer fee made it hard to beat.

Now I gotta pick a scope, and rings/base!

I'd thought that was going to be simple by putting a fixed 10x on it but thinking about it more and maybe wanting to hunt a bit with it (from the truck, nothing backcountry or involving much walking) i'm leaning back to a variable...

Burris XTR ii, Nightforce SHV, Vortex PST gen 2, SWFA... The list goes on. Think I'm leaning towards FFP and magnification in the 3-15 or 4-14 or 3-18 type range but that still leaves a good number of solid choices out there!

Anyways, appreciate all the advice so far. Will keep you guys posted on how it goes and what I end up choosing for optics.

Cheers.

[ar15barrels]

Hmm. I'd be pretty happy with 5/8" MOA starting out.

What kinda accuracy could be expected out of the 5R?

Typically 1/3 moa.

In either case, the shooter is the weak point, so while you may own a 1/3moa gun, don't be surprised if you only get 1moa from it.
Instruction and experience will improve your capabilities.

[milotrain]

It's the kind of "if you have to ask it's accurate enough for you" sort of situation.

[bridgeport]

Eeking out that last bit of accuracy from a rifle, as I have found and others have pointed out, is mostly about finding a load that works for that rifle. Load development cannot be overstated. The other day I was doing load development for a .20 lead free specific load, and had a few different powders and primers to try and see which combination would work best. I found a load using H4198 That was delivering nice groups using a CCI primer, but not up to my standards. I switched to the Win small primer, and bingo, the group size shrank and with a bit more fine tuning, I had "the load" for that rifle, in lead free. Now, when I tried another powder, IMR 4227, it did not like the win primer, and preferred the CCI. So now I have two loads that deliver bench rest level accuracy, yet they are totally different loads. In fact I went back to my lead loads for that rifle, and found that even the SBK bullets loaded with H4198 worked much better with the Win primer. So even a competent shooter will be hamstrung by what could be a great rifle / load combination, if the load is poorly constructed for that rifle.

[zrockstar]

Burris XTR ii, Nightforce SHV, Vortex PST gen 2, SWFA... The list goes on. Think I'm leaning towards FFP and magnification in the 3-15 or 4-14 or 3-18 type range but that still leaves a good number of solid choices out there!

I would go for the Burris if you are wanting distance. That 34mm tube cranks out 90 MOA of adjustment.

[maidendeth13]

I would go for the Burris if you are wanting distance. That 34mm tube cranks out 90 MOA of adjustment.

I'm leaning that way. Trying to decide between 3-15 vs 4-20.

The Vortex PST Gen 2's are a little far out I think otherwise I'd be leaning that way. Best I can figure people expect to start receiving them in early summer.

The other scope that keeps coming up is the Bushnell DMR 3.5-21. I like that reticle better (as best I can figure without actually using it) however I don't find a lot of people complimenting the glass on the bushnell (nor on the burris or SHV for that matter though).