Barrett 98B 300 win mag group

[sfvshooter]

Not new, have had it for about a year. I usually do a thorough cleaning after each time I shoot it, but this time just ran a bore snake with some M-Pro 7 on it and took it out again back to back weeks since I was having elevation issue with my NF NXS last time.

Had to zero it again and somehow managed 4 shots touching (not first group). Probably around 0.5 MOA. I'll have to see if not cleaning it completely produces same results next time.

I've heard people say their rifles shoot better if it's a bit dirty, but this was new for me. Will have to see if it's also the case with other rifles.

Hornady BTHP 195 gr in case anyone is curious.

[DDRH]

pictures didn't show up...
pictures of the rifle too pls

I do find that shooting a dirty barrel seems like i get more consistent results (NOT TOO DIRTY)

But that's based on what i've experienced (Not enough experience).

I lean towards, the more you clean the more damage you do to your barrel. I normally just boresnake with MPRO7 and OTIS CLP or MPRO7 CLP.

for the tougher jobs, i just bought some WipeOut bore cleaner (Foam)

[JackEllis]

I have a Winchester 70 in .30-06 that shot relatively poorly, though not so badly that I couldn't hit game animals. Took it to a gunsmith who said the bore was dirty. Now I scrub it with Hoppes to get out powder and lead, then Sweets to get out the copper.

Maybe I need to back off a little on the cleaning, or at least do some tests.

I do put one shot through it after cleaning and before taking it hunting. Maybe that's "dirty enough".

[Divernhunter]

Yes barrels with 2-3 shots will start grouping better most of the time.
Before I go hunting I always fire 2-3 rounds thru the rifle/pistol.
Learned that long ago.
Had a friend with a Rem 700 that but the first 4-5 shots up to 6" from where they belonged. After that you could cover them with a quarter. Until he cleaned it again.

[sfvshooter]

That's weird. It was there when I posted.

There definitely seem to be 2 camps when it comes to cleaning/dirty and breaking in rifles. They may run a few patches between shootings, but that's it. No need to scrub it until it's spotless.

Same thing for breaking in rifles.

My MPA BA rifle came with very exact break in steps. The one for my HS Precision HTR wasn't as bad, but still pretty demanding. I've had people tell me breaking in doesn't do anything and they've tested 2 rifles side by side. One they just shot and the second they shot/cleaned/shot/cleaned, etc. Result? No difference.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOdarG_2P4r60ls3DsAqDEBpmQ-5spohNneXU7P

[ar15barrels]

Still no photo.
You probably see it because it's your photo, but you are not granting the general public access to see it.
Try imgur instead.

[sfvshooter]

Let me try again. I think I was linking to a private album instead of a shared one.

[ar15barrels]

Let me try again. I think I was linking to a private album instead of a shared one.

Bad finger placement on the trigger or bad trigger control or bad bipod loading cause that horizontal stringing.

[sfvshooter]

You should track down the guy who shot those and let him know.

As for me, I don't start shooting groups until I can see where they're hitting hence the splatter target.

[ar15barrels]

You should track down the guy who shot those and let him know.

As for me, I don't start shooting groups until I can see where they're hitting hence the splatter target.

My bad.

I guess your shots are the ones in the cardboard off to the right of the target.
I thought you shot the group on the spatter target and posted this thread to show it.
You should tell the guy that shot the group on the spatter target what his problem is the next time you see him.