Inconsitency in Remington 700 CDL?

Slipery

Slipery

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
315   0   0
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Hey guys.. So I tried to sight in my .270 for the second time today.. The first time, my mounts were too far off to one side, so it wouldn't let me adjust my windage far enough. Anyways, this is a decently high-quality gun, the CDL, and I topped it with a Leupold VX II, so I figured I should be able to at least get shots within an inch or so, two inches being the minimum of what I would be happy with... However, I had each and every shot land several inches apart, one would hit to the left and up, and then another would hit to the right and a bit higher of where I was aiming, and it really was kind of disconcerting. Went though about 20-30 rounds.

My screws on my rings are tight and evenly distributed, I tightened everything down on the gun.

It was, to say the least, very disappointing, after putting $1000 of my hard-earned money (only being an 18 year old, this is a decent bit) into a quality gun. Any help at all? I know there have been threads about things like this before.. I will go over them to see if I am missing anything.

Here's some extra info, if needed.. It was a decently calm day, I first sighted it in at 25 yards and I got 3 shots right next to each other like three times in a row, so I moved it to 100 yards, where I had my trouble. Both times I was shooting off a sandbag on a bench. My scope is a 3-9x. This is my first centerfire, so I'm not sure how much of it is user fault.. It started raining, so we had to pack up, but my last three shots were within two inches, but I'd have to go and test it out again to be honest, could have been luck.
 
This is my first centerfire, so I'm not sure how much of it is user fault.. It started raining, so we had to pack up, but my last three shots were within two inches, but I'd have to go and test it out again to be honest, could have been luck.
Click to expand...

If this is your first centerfire,you may have been flinching at times,your trigger pull may be erratic,or your benchrest technique may need work.You may have been settling down for your last group.

I would try to get someone that regularly shoots good groups to try a group with your rifle,to eliminate shooter error.
 
Last edited:
Use enough sand baggs(front and back) to take all monement out of the gun. I've helped lots of guys go from 4-5" groups down to sub 2" just by helping them get a good steady rest.
 
Ok, both previous poster offer great advice, here's my two cents. You are describing flyers off to the left and then off to the right.
Let's just say that you are not flinching, and that you are not contributing to the gun's inaccuracy (only you can decide). It sounds to me as though you rifle is not properly bedded. More specifically, I think that your recoil lug is floating left and right. If you have eliminated both that which stubblejumper and MTM have suggested, and you have eliminated your scope mounts as an erratic, then it may be time to take your barreled action out of the stock and investigate. In my humble opinion, Remington factory bedding jobs suck. But, fear not, sometimes these trouble shooting jobs will make you more knowledgable of your firearm and get you the groups that you expect....and you did it all on your own :)
 
Last edited:
Did you clean between groups? Sometimes they shoot better dirty.

Did you let it cool between shots? Hot barrels don't group worth ####.

Did you try more than one type of ammo? If not, maybe it just doesn't like that bullet.

Is the barrel free-floating from the stock? Sporter barrels tend to shoot better floated...
 
I think it wouldn't hurt to put a few more rounds down range, just to get used to the rifle. I have not near the experience that many here do, but little things do make a difference IMHO.

A consistent trigger pull seems to work wonders, although I'm not there yet. Breathing makes a difference, and even too much coffee or eye fatigue can play havoc.

Which ammo your rifle likes can make a difference as well. I notice better shooting if I double up ear protection(plugs and muffs). Happy shooting.:)
 
I say shoot it some more, working carefully on your technique. Make sure you scrub it out once in a while, some rifles will not shoot once they get quite fouled. I have a CDL in 270. It is absolutely as it came from the factory, except the barrel is free floated and the trigger has been adjusted down to just under 3#. It will shoot under an inch with 140 Partition/WXR, 140 Accubond/N165, or 130 TSX/Norma MRP. I have taken the longest shot ever with this rifle, and have complete confidence in it's ability to do the job. Hope yours works out as well. Regards, Eagleye.
 
^ Eagleye if you free-floated the barrel and adjusted the trigger down to 3lbs the gun is hardly as it came from the factory... those are some pretty significant changes! ;)

Slipery, just because the M-700 CDL is a nice looking rifle has no bearing on the functional quality of the firearm!

I'd suggest you hook up with someone that has the experience and knowledge to do the same sorta things that Eagleye is talking about and then see what the rifle will do.

The last couple of late productionl M-700's that I have acquired had really heavy triggers, that needed major adjustments to get them to work! But they can be adjusted. There is a thread(s) on that topic on here somewhere.
 
Eagleye if you free-floated the barrel and adjusted the trigger down to 3lbs the gun is hardly as it came from the factory... those are some pretty significant changes!
Click to expand...

Every factory gun that I have ever owned(except a 40xbks) has has the trigger adjusted if it was possible to do by simply adjusting screws.Many have had the barrels floated,as it is very easy to remove some material to float the barrel.I consider those very minor changes.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scott_r View Post
Get rid of your walnut stock, Remington walnut stocks always warp in humidy or so I was told.
Don't believe everything you are told, nor everything you read on the internet......
Click to expand...

That is not even what was posted.What was posted is that wood by nature,will absorb moisture that often causes it to swell or warp.He was then provided with specific examples of how this warpage had affected the point of impact of some rifles.However he refuses to accept the fact, that this can and often does happen.As a result of his inability to comprehend this fact,he posted the sarcastic rant that you then quoted.
 
Last edited:
Thank you everyone for the advice..

I will continue to attempt to get some better groups... It's just so expensive to try to sight in a .270 =) Spent $25 yesterday and didn't accomplish all that much.

Are there any professional gunsmiths on this forum that will do a freefloat/trigger/bedding job? My local gunsmith charges insane prices..
 
I will continue to attempt to get some better groups... It's just so expensive to try to sight in a .270 =) Spent $25 yesterday and didn't accomplish all that much.
Click to expand...

Just a simple question.How many rounds do you expect to shoot from this rifle every year?How much do you expect to spend on ammunition?
 
Where abouts are you loacated? It seems to me you need a little hands on help from a more experienced shooter. You have purchased good quality equipment and it should be performing for you. Speaking from personal experience, a range session with a experienced shooter can do wonders when trying to solve the problems you are having. Can anyone local to him help this fellow out? If you're near Hamilton, send me a PM and we can get together for a few hours.
 
I live in Ottawa, and I currently am not part of any range yet.. I've been scouting them out, and looking at the pro's and con's of each in my area.. I will probably join one as it gets colder, in November.. I am currently doing all of my shooting on a friends farm outside Winchester.

I expect to shoot as many rounds as it takes to get the rifle to shoot accurately, and after that, it will be based on how often I get to use it. I have bought 3 boxes of premium ammo, two of them from winchester, and one from remington, in order to do my hunting with, and all of my other ammo that I am buying are Winchester 130 grain Powerpoints.

I wouldn't mind having someone in the Ottawa area take me for a couple of hours to a range.
 
I expect to shoot as many rounds as it takes to get the rifle to shoot accurately, and after that, it will be based on how often I get to use it. I have bought 3 boxes of premium ammo, two of them from winchester, and one from remington, in order to do my hunting with, and all of my other ammo that I am buying are Winchester 130 grain Powerpoints.
Click to expand...

Just so you understand that it's okay to practice with any ammunition,but you need to do your final sight in before hunting with the actual load that you intend to hunt with.Every load can shoot differently,and can have a different point of impact even at 100 yards.As well.you need to test that hunting load out to as far as you intend to shoot at any animal to know the actual point of impact at that distance.That means that it will certainly take at least a box or two of your hunting loads just to sight in and find the trajectory of that load.And after that,it takes regular practice to develop and maintain your shooting skills.In total,if you really want to become competent with that rifle,and remain competent,it will require shooting several boxes of ammunition each year.You spent good money on a quality rifle and scope,but unless you are prepared to spend the money practicing,you will never be able to use the potential of that rifle.
 
The best advice so far has been the recommendation to find a mentor. Almost everyone here has been mentored and would willingly mentor another. I ask more experienced people questions all the time in order to learn and for the most part I receive sound, honest advice. Find a range, join, hang out at the range and strike up a conversation with someone. Someone will come over to have a look. We all love to look at guns and shooting setups. Like kids with a new toy. Start that way maybe.
 
stubblejumper said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by scott_r View Post
Get rid of your walnut stock, Remington walnut stocks always warp in humidy or so I was told.


That is not even what was posted.What was posted is that wood by nature,will absorb moisture that often causes it to swell or warp.He was then provided with specific examples of how this warpage had affected the point of impact of some rifles.However he refuses to accept the fact, that this can and often does happen.As a result of his inability to comprehend this fact,he posted the sarcastic rant that you then quoted.
Click to expand...


There were no previous posts in this thread that explain warpage and the effect that has on POI. There was however, a poor response to the issue at hand. Thanks for filling in the back story though.
 
stubblejumper said:
Every factory gun that I have ever owned(except a 40xbks) has has the trigger adjusted if it was possible to do by simply adjusting screws.Many have had the barrels floated,as it is very easy to remove some material to float the barrel. I consider those very minor changes.
Click to expand...



If you mean that those changes as easy to do, I could buy that, but those "minor" changes will significantly affect the performance. So IMHO they are not minor.

My M-700 8x57 wouldn't shoot worth a s**t, due to the way the barrel was pressing on the stock. RepublicofAlberta free-floated and glass bedded that stock for me and the rifle is a great shooter now.

The trigger adjustment we kinda tag teamed. I did most of the hands-ons stuff, with ROA looking on and checking the adjustments I made.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom