Bolt Action Bedding Question

[kcstott]

[tankerman]

If it's a hunting rifle and produces groups suitable for hunting, why mess with the rifle?
You never going to be able to reproduce range/bench conditions in the field.


Sounds to me like you're itching for a benchrest target rifle.

[MK75]

tankerman,

I am thinking you are exactly right sir; It's just that my wallet doesn't agree with my ambitions just yet. One day though...

[tankerman]

tankerman,

I am thinking you are exactly right sir; It's just that my wallet doesn't agree with my ambitions just yet. One day though...

Maybe consider buying bit's and pieces for a target rifle and assemble it some time down the road when you've got all the parts? Kind of spreads the financial pain out over time, plus it gives you an opportunity to scour gunshows, CGN Martketplace, etc...for deals, sale prices etc...

[glane5910]

The Vanguard is a Howa bbl/action isn't it? I use 10mil pipe tape to set the gap between my bbl and stock. Never have had an issue with this amount of gap.

[ar15barrels]

It was a little bit more than $400 and the factory shot target was .5 MOA.
I am just looking to reproduce what it has already proven to be capable of.

Bolt the action into a machine rest and shoot groups in a test tunnel.
That's how they shoot those test targets that are included with guns.

[Wrangler John]

If the rifle is shooting 1 MOA with factory ammo, that's about all one should expect. Before going to great expense to modify the bedding, or anything else that may make it worse, try shooting it more.

Barrels do need to wear in, regardless of what some "experts" say. How many times has it been shot? Most factory barrels will require around 50 shots to settle down. How does one tell if the barrel is broken in? First off, the groups will suddenly shrink noticeably and next, cleaning the copper fouling out will take much less effort. The barrel will need to be cleaned frequently at first, using a good copper solvent such as Bore Tech's CU+2 Copper Remover. I use Bore Tech's Eliminator solvent, then the CU+2 Copper Remover followed by C4 Carbon Remover. Once the patches come out colorless, the barrel is clean. Use a bore lubricant, Lock Ease graphite fluid works and is available in aerosol cans. Run a saturated swab through the bore and let it dry, then follow with a clean patch.

Do not overheat the barrel when you shoot. Allow at least 2 minutes between shots. Hammer forged barrels are subject to have weird residual stress even after stress relieving, so allow it to stabilize slowly through several heat and cool cycles. Do not clean a hot barrel, allow it to cool first.

Action screw tension will effect accuracy, try to tighten them to factory specs, should be around 40 in-lbs.

Real accuracy improvement comes with handloading, yet today's factory ammo is really good. If you haven't already, try some Hornady or Nosler .270 Winchester ammunition, although the price nearly made me choke when I looked it up, I've had good results in other calibers. Just be patient, give it time like a fine wine.