Improving accuracy on a rifle (one for the gunsmiths)

[The Singing Stalker]

So, passing the time today I came across this. Now I have all the gunsmithing skills of an anteater, but it does make sense to me. So, how much would that sort of machining improve accuracy at 100 yards Taking that most rifles are moa out of the box. Asking for a friend with a shot out 223 barrel who has no change of winning the monthly draw.

 

[JockStalk]

My 6.5 shot under an inch out the box like any remmy.
Blueprinted, lapped, rebarrelled, and I’m sure the smith exhaled some sort of pixy dust over it too - though I don’t recall seeing that listed on the invoice.
Then…….

All day long.

 

[User00040]

Might as well start with a 'custom' i.e aftermarket action if you are paying to have all those extraneous things done.

Pig in lipstick, turd in glitter etc.

Brian Litz has done studies which show a rifle's precision increases with weight, which in turn reduces free recoil. Heavy rifle + low recoiling cartridge is why nearly everyone in the Precision Rifle Series uses a 20lb rifle chambered in 6mm something...

As for accuracy, that's a vector of the scope/sighting system, and how it is mounted to the rifle.

We all want the top right target of what is shown below, but 99% of the pictures online of 'rifle accuracy' show the bottom right:


Personally, top left is fine for an easily portable deer/vermin rifle which does not cost the earth...

 

[Ronin]

Yup

And I was listening to a podcast only this morning from a couple of years ago from Frank Gali talking to Jacob Bynum (Founder or Rifles Only)

Who used the analogy that the heavy low recoiling guns were simply “barricade Benchrest” and required no skill to actually shoot other than point at the target and allow to press the extremely light trigger

So long as the rifke is balanced and pointing in the right direction it will hit (assuming scope ajusted accordingly for wind and distance )

Much fundamental skills have been lost by shooting light recoiling heavy guns

Yup, I shoot a 6mm in such competitions and have found my own skill set lacking

One of the reasons I’d like to move away from the “space invader” gen x z comps and return to a more traditional style where the emphasis is on bipod rear bag and build your position

 

[JockStalk]

Yup

And I was listening to a podcast only this morning from a couple of years ago from Frank Gali talking to Jacob Bynum (Founder or Rifles Only)

Who used the analogy that the heavy low recoiling guns were simply “barricade Benchrest” and required no skill to actually shoot other than point at the target and allow to press the extremely light trigger

So long as the rifke is balanced and pointing in the right direction it will hit (assuming scope ajusted accordingly for wind and distance )

Much fundamental skills have been lost by shooting light recoiling heavy guns

Yup, I shoot a 6mm in such competitions and have found my own skill set lacking

One of the reasons I’d like to move away from the “space invader” gen x z comps and return to a more traditional style where the emphasis is on bipod rear bag and build your position

To your point - the grouping above was a very heavy weight barrel, in a heavy stock and sandbagged into position on target.
When devoid of talent, I reach for a bit of ‘assistance’

 

[Ronin]

Returning to the OP

At 100 yards

By removing the unknown tolerances on a factory rifle to that which is known ;

Action face cut 90degree to action thread

Action thread cut in line with centre line of bore

Lug abutments cut so they are equal length

Bolt face cut 90 degrees to bore

Bolt lugs cut to equal length

Lugs lapped so contact is 90% or better

Barrel tenon cut to close tolerance fit to action

Barrel chamber cut to as close to concentric bore line as possible (some barrels are straighter than others )

Etc


You are removing any possibility (or reducing that possibility) of the action flexing during the firing cycle

60000 psi. Chamber pressure will cause surcfaces that are not touching to move to contact - bolt lugs, barrel tenon shoulder to action shoulder for instance and that elastic flex will cause the barrel to move

It only takes -approximately .003” movement at the barrel to move the bullet off line by a quarter minute of angle at 100 yards

You may or may not be able to shoot to that degree of accuracy anyway (sub Moa) but any movement of the barrel, bolt lugs will have an effect down range - the further down range the more effect

This has been tested and proven to be the case by several notable experts and is well documented - I’ve mentioned before H Vaughan who wrote a very detailed book on rifle accuracy Whixh still holds water today

Yes - by trying a Remington you may be polishing something sticky- but they work and have done since the 1950’s and many many records have been shot with trued Rem 700’s long before custom actions came into the scene

 

[Ronin]

To your point - the grouping above was a very heavy weight barrel, in a heavy stock and sandbagged into position on target.
When devoid of talent, I reach for a bit of ‘assistance’

Me too

 

[nowler]

Just buy a custom action and have something built on it.

 

[NP435]

Might as well start with a 'custom' i.e aftermarket action if you are paying to have all those extraneous things done.

Pig in lipstick, turd in glitter etc.

Brian Litz has done studies which show a rifle's precision increases with weight, which in turn reduces free recoil. Heavy rifle + low recoiling cartridge is why nearly everyone in the Precision Rifle Series uses a 20lb rifle chambered in 6mm something...

As for accuracy, that's a vector of the scope/sighting system, and how it is mounted to the rifle.

We all want the top right target of what is shown below, but 99% of the pictures online of 'rifle accuracy' show the bottom right:

View attachment 303411 reasonably
Personally, top left is fine for an easily portable deer/vermin rifle which does not cost the earth...

2 of the images make sense, the 4th seems to be more the issue of a sight adjustment. The first image seems shooter induced error with the potential of better groups to come should this not be shooter induced.

 

[Heym SR20]

If you have a friend with a shot out 223 Remington 700 and limited funds I would consider the following.

1) is it really shot out, or is the crown / muzzle just gone, or is the throat worn. A shortening of the barrel and a recrown does not cost much. Throat wear - seat bullets a bit longer may help return accuracy for another few hundred or thousand rounds.

2) lowthar walther do pre threaded and chambered barrels. In most cases its screw off old one, screw on new and check head space and it’s usually within limits. If not its minor adjustments to either barrel thread, recoil lug or chamber. These substantially reduce Gunsmithing time and thus cost.

3) Nowt wrong with a basic Rem 700 action. Yes you can spend lots on machine time having it perfectly blue printed, but simple things like truing up the recoil lug and lapping the bolt lugs will go a long way to improving accuracy.

Most important though is ensuring the bedding is good a solid with no movement.