.270 not grouping great as it used to...

[lhsako]

Thanks to all veterans !!!!!!!!!!
my Sako .270 will not group it's pet loads into the 1" it once did. all guard screws are snug, scope mounts/screws tight the inch lb. on the torque wrench. I'm shooting my other rifles on cue.
The weapon is from the 80's, has been shot a great deal.it's cleaned regularly, then fouled before shooting for accuracy as usual. what are your thoughts? internal Leupold scope issues, new barrel needed?

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm....30 year old rifle, shot a great deal.

Sounds like all the obvious stuff has been looked at. I'd probably strip the barrel with some good copper cleaner before I resorted to re-barrelling. It is completely possible that the barrel is going. How bad are we talking here? 1.5"...2".... most barrels tend to go slowly, so it might have some useful life left.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Do you anneal your brass?

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[Wyo7200]

Have you measured your throat erosion?

 

[lhsako]

Do you anneal your brass?

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no

 

[lhsako]

Hmmm....30 year old rifle, shot a great deal.

Sounds like all the obvious stuff has been looked at. I'd probably strip the barrel with some good copper cleaner before I resorted to re-barrelling. It is completely possible that the barrel is going. How bad are we talking here? 1.5"...2".... most barrels tend to go slowly, so it might have some
us
eful life left.

>>>> I've stripped it as well.....

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Do you anneal your brass?

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no

If its been used more than 3 times that may well be your problem..... When brass work hardens accuracy and consistency go to crap.

 

[lhsako]

Have you measured your throat erosion?

no, never needed to. hows it done?

 

[Wyo7200]

Using this or something similar-

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/570611 ... olt-action

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/231904 ... -6-inserts

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/206440 ... winchester

 

[arky]

I cannot offer anything on your issue but own a SAKO 270 and would sure like to have the inch lb. info on the action screws.

Thanks

 

[Dwh7271]

Following up on what Wyo posted, you might want to load a few a little longer and see what happens. If you have some throat erosion, loading longer allows "chasing the lands" a little.
Just a thought. FWIW, the annealing will make a difference also.

 

[lhsako]

Do you anneal your brass?

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

no

If its been used more than 3 times that may well be your problem..... When brass work hardens accuracy and consistency go to crap.

>>>> these load are new brass

 

[lhsako]

Following up on what Wyo posted, you might want to load a few a little longer and see what happens. If you have some throat erosion, loading longer allows "chasing the lands" a little.
Just a thought. FWIW, the annealing will make a difference also.

Great, what process do u use to anneal brass. is it new brass only?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

No.. If you're using new brass no need to worry about annealing, until its been used 3 times, or so.

I just threw it in here because it could cause the problems you're having...

 

[GeorgeS]

Assuming all the scope mount screws are tight, "shoot the box".

Start with a target like this one:

Try to put one round into the center of each diamond at 100yds. If you hit the center of each diamond (or the same relative spot on each diamond if you're sighted in high at 100yds.), you probably don't have a scope problem.
George

 

[wildgene]

...when's the last time you actually focused the scope? As we get older our eyes change, older you get the faster they change, & a scope can become just enough out of focus that it's not really noticeable, & cause someone to 'chase the bull'...

 

[lhsako]

I cannot offer anything on your issue but own a SAKO 270 and would sure like to have the inch lb. info on the action screws.

Thanks

pm sent

 

[lhsako]

Assuming all the scope mount screws are tight, "shoot the box".

Start with a target like this one:

Try to put one round into the center of each diamond at 100yds. If you hit the center of each diamond (or the same relative spot on each diamond if you're sighted in high at 100yds.), you probably don't have a scope problem.
George

true. also will switch scopes to be sure. accuracy has gone to 2-3".

 

[lhsako]

>>>> 4.5x14 scope is the culprit!!!!
switched it out w/ an old 2.5x8. groups are as they were.......lifetime warranty kicks in

 

[DrMike]

Glad you worked out the problem plaguing the rifle. A good rifle gone bad is a terrible situation. We can live with scopes that fail--especially when they have a lifetime warranty. :grin: