Help with my 300 wsm win model 70

[ricemanff]

I am reaching out for some ideas and advice. I have a Winchester Model 70 in 300 wsm. My grouping of my first 3 shots are 3". After that with a warm barrel I am shooting a consistent 3/4 group at 100 yards using a Barnes 165 grain ttsx bullet, federal brass, and 56 grn of varget. Any ideas why it is not grouping very well when it is a cold barrel?

[NorCalFocus]

Have you tried shooting one fouling shot then, shooting a group?

[Iloveguns]

What are your second and third shots doing? First shot might just be the cold shooter.

[LynnJr]

I am shooting H4350 and a 187 BIB bullet and the grouping is outstanding.I am using Norma brass and 64.4 grains of powder in a 13.5 Twist Bartlien barrel and averaging 3050 fps.
If you clean your gun after shooting it your first few shots will have very low velocity and your groups will suck.
Next time out clean your gun at the range then fire 3-4 shots before leaving.
This will season your bore.
If that doesn't work get it bedded.

[swifty]

If the first shots are from a clean barrel, that may be the culprit. Leave the cleaning supplies alone and shoot a dirty barrel.

[ricemanff]

dirty/fouled gun. I cleaned it about 50 rounds ago. It was all over the place for the first 10 rounds the last time, due to the cleaned bore. This time I left it dirty. My first 3 rounds(I am shooting 3 round groups) are grouping 3'. After that it is down to 3/4. I am going to pack a heating blanket to keep it warm so it shoots a tight group if I can' figure this out. Or just use another gun

[ar15barrels]

Do the first 3 shots make a string?
Like the barrel is moving, then moving, then settles into a place where it sits after it's warmed up?

[ricemanff]

My cold bore shot is 1.75 left from zero, 2nd round goes right 1 inch from zero, then about 3/4 from there on the third. They are on the same horizontal field(I am set 1" high at 100yds) Today I am refloating my barrel. One of the screws was a little looser than the others.

[swifty]

Today I am refloating my barrel.

Refloating? ...or freefloating?

If the barrel was floated before, it may not have been floated fully. If it has not been floated, then I would not float till more testing has been done.

If there was a loose screw, tighten that, then check base and ring screws.

It sounds like there may be two separate groups, the pressure pad may need fit.

[ar15barrels]

My cold bore shot is 1.75 left from zero, 2nd round goes right 1 inch from zero, then about 3/4 from there on the third. They are on the same horizontal field(I am set 1" high at 100yds) Today I am refloating my barrel. One of the screws was a little looser than the others.

Is this specific pattern repeatable on multiple days?

[ricemanff]

I did some work on it this weekend so I have to reload some bullets to try it out. Now I am just waiting for some bullets to show up.

[ricemanff]

I floated her, did a little trigger work, I loaded up some more ammo. She does have a cold bore shot at 1" off, after that she is grouping 3/4" at 100 yards. I am satisfied with that for now, but my next purchase will be another scope. It will have to be after my California deer trip.

[ar15barrels]

I floated her, did a little trigger work, I loaded up some more ammo. She does have a cold bore shot at 1" off, after that she is grouping 3/4" at 100 yards. I am satisfied with that for now, but my next purchase will be another scope. It will have to be after my California deer trip.

Next trip out, dry fire 20 times.
Make perfect shots.

THEN, fire your first REAL cold bore shot.

See if that changes where the first shot flies...

[Scottie15]

Good points on the mechanical and human-error possibilities.

You might try using a slower burning powder like H4350 or RL19 too. Varget may be a little fast for the 300 WSM with a 165 grain bullet. Have you checked velocities? Are they consistent?

How far is the jump to the lands? The Barnes does like a some space from the loads I have used.

[ricemanff]

Back out the range today. My cold bore shot is still 1" high and 1" left. It has been consistent. As long as I know where my cold bore shot is I am happy. I have tried 4350, H380, target, and 4064. Varget is by far the most accurate. My groups are holding at 3/4", they could be tighter but I think it is the shooter. As I get older my eyes are not as good as they were. Velocity is running about 2920. I just need to figure out the dope on it now. I need to see what my wind drift and drop is out to 600 yards.