FIRST RANGE DAY WITH NEW RIFLE - IT DID WHAT?

[muleman]

First day on the range with my new CZ #3 in 300WSM was disapointing to say the least. After a short break in for the barrel and a quick sight in I proceeded to fire loads consisting of six different powders and five different charge weights and two different bullet weights - a fairly good cross section that would normally produce a couple of loads to fine tune. All groups were fired from my lead sled. The largest group was 5+" the smallest was 2" :shock: . Just for a reality check I shot two groups out of my .308 -.675" and.750" all is not forsaken! Calling it quits for the day and retreating to my work bench I noticed upon inspecting my CZ that there were rub marks on the barrel from the stock The marks are on the sides and the bottom. They wiped off easily being that the barrel is stainless but I obviously do not have a free floating barrel! I've placed a small shim between the recoil lug and the front screw that elevates the barrel a couple of hundreths and it seems to float the barrel. My questions to this wise and knowing crowd are.
1. Could the stock contact be the culprit?
2. Is the shim idea a good and safe idea to try?
3. If it is and helps; Is a bedding job in order?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[rick smith]

Yes, yes and yes. I would sand out the contact points rather than put a shim in. I would also inspect the crown and check all screws, scope rings/mounts, action.Rick.

 

[6mm Remington]

Yes, yes and yes. I would sand out the contact points rather than put a shim in. I would also inspect the crown and check all screws, scope rings/mounts, action.Rick.

Absolutely to everything Rick said! When you loosen the bedding/action screws, I would be curious to know how tight or snug they were as well. It's amazing how little gremlins can loosen those, and oh my what an effect that in itself can have. Don't give up on it yet Muleman. It's hard when it's a BRAND NEW rifle and she won't shoot for you.

I played with a lot of different loads in a friends Model 70 that had been glass bedded and the barrel floated, and the trigger adjusted to 3 pounds. When I found the load though, boy does it shoot! His liked H4831SC and IMR4831 with Federal Magnum primers and 180 gr. Nosler Accubonds.

 

[Divernhunter]

The only thing I would add is that you should seal the places where you sand the stock and even all the barrel channel to prevent moisture from entering and causing the stock to warp. Good insurance

 

[JD338]

+1 to what the fellas said. I agree with Rick Smith, carefully remove wood where it contacts the barrel.
Drivenhunter brings up a very good point, seal the wood when finished.

Let us know how the project goes.

JD338

 

[muleman]

Thank you all!!!
I've placed the shim just as a temp. experiment. If it does the trick a bedding job will soon be on my to do list. I'm shooting sometime on Fri. - Sun. weather permitting. I live on the wet side of the state and the weather is always a factor.I'll post the results! 6mm, Great catch - the front screw couldn't have had more than a couple of oz. of torque!
Good idea on the sealing. The inside of the forearm looks like a five year old went at it with a Dremel tool and it's completely unsealed on the interior of the stock. Any suggestions on a sealing product and a preferred bedding compound?

Scott