Custom Rifle Woes-What Now?

That’s a good question. I have been able to produce a few 3-4 shot .5 MOA groups. Using the same shells, I will get nasty fliers. It isn’t possible to tune the fliers out. Extensive load development has been done and the fliers aren’t going away.

It’s a good case for why 3 shot groups don’t mean anything.

3 shot groups definitely aren't always indicative of a loads accuracy.

When I was doing load testing with 140 RDF's 6.5 creedmoor, I shot some of the tiniest 3 round groups - some one tiny hole were you could barely distinguish the 3 separate rounds. Thinking I had some winners, loaded up a bunch of ammo and quickly learned why RDF's have the moniker of "random damn fliers". While they would potentially group great for 3 rounds (sometimes), they would never produce a half decent 4 or 5 round group.
 
3 shot groups definitely aren't always indicative of a loads accuracy.

When I was doing load testing with 140 RDF's 6.5 creedmoor, I shot some of the tiniest 3 round groups - some one tiny hole were you could barely distinguish the 3 separate rounds. Thinking I had some winners, loaded up a bunch of ammo and quickly learned why RDF's have the moniker of "random damn fliers". While they would potentially group great for 3 rounds (sometimes), they would never produce a half decent 4 or 5 round group.

Groups should be 5 round minimum.
 
I think it's very relevant. The target doesn't lie

I agree that the target doesn't lie. Here is two targets from load development.Both would have been great if I had only fired 3 shots
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well if you're loading for the scatter node, you nailed it bud

try a square or diamond instead of aiming for the center of a 10" red circle
 
well if you're loading for the scatter node, you nailed it bud

try a square or diamond instead of aiming for the center of a 10" red circle

A nice round 1/4” dot in my favorite target. I draw up 2 zero on one the dial off for the group
 
You may also want to consider a caliber switch? Everytime someone tries to make the 7mm-08 work, it seems like they're beating the same dead horse. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think it is a viable hunting caliber and can work well, just not a precision solution. @Stevesumit had it right when they suggested not to run the heavies in that little case. Either bump up your 7mm for more case capacity or drop down to a 6.5 or a 6 IMO
 
The 7-08 calibre in an ultralight action and barrel make operator skill even more critical than your average gear. Don't expect a Dahl's Sheep rifle to perform like a 6BR. I would go for a barrel swap first, but what is the overall weight of the gun as fired?
 
well if you're loading for the scatter node, you nailed it bud

try a square or diamond instead of aiming for the center of a 10" red circle

Good luck finding an accuracy node that does that!

I’ve tried powder charges from min to max using Varget, H4350, and H414. I’ve tried a variety of bullets as well. Nothing showed any promise. This is an example of why 3 round groups are indicative of accuracy. I would have expected you to know that.

Yes the barrel time for the target shown would have been 1.127ms. According to quickload I am very close to that barrel time.

No the type of target is not the issue. Neither is what I had for dinner. Yes some targets work better than others but that isn’t relevant now is it?
 
I'm glad the gunsmith went to bat for you and that a new barrel is on the way.

Yes I am very pleased with the gunsmiths on this one. I was pretty worried after I had the rifle returned only to finding it was still a scatter gun. Shane actually signed me in as a guest at his range so we could test the rifle. It was pretty funny seeing the look on his face after he fired a group.

Unfortunately it will probably be a substantial wait time before I get the replacement barrel. It took 6 months the first time so I can’t see it being any faster this time. This is obviously not the builders fault but a Proof Research issue.
 
The 7-08 calibre in an ultralight action and barrel make operator skill even more critical than your average gear. Don't expect a Dahl's Sheep rifle to perform like a 6BR. I would go for a barrel swap first, but what is the overall weight of the gun as fired?


~10lbs. Nobody is expecting bench rest accuracy but that’s not what I am talking about either.
 
Before you trash the barrel and start blaming it, pull the front rail or ring mount screws in the front receiver and make sure they are not touching the barrel shank threads. If they are, then that can cause very weird groups and nothing will be consistent. Make sure they are shorter than the holes and do not touch.
 
The 7-08 calibre in an ultralight action and barrel make operator skill even more critical than your average gear. Don't expect a Dahl's Sheep rifle to perform like a 6BR. I would go for a barrel swap first, but what is the overall weight of the gun as fired?

Believe what you like BUT this rifle build with the componets its assembled with should shoot sub 5 shot MOA groups at 100 yards ! RJ
 
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