Too hot for good groups

[Stillar]

What are you using as a bedding compound?

If you are unsure about your current compound you can buy Lepage steel epoxy at Canuk Tire for 7 bucks and I know it works well with anything I have tried. You can do prolly 2 stocks with the amount you get in one tube.
Just make sure whenever you bed your rifle to take the trigger off and be very liberal with the release agent. Do lots of reading a research before attempting to bed your rifle, you could end up with a mess if done wrong.

I have a box of Acraglas fiberglass bedding material that I have been using to bed rifle stocks.

 

[gushulak]

I like to allow at least a few minutes between shots when the weather is warm. I try not to overheat the barrel because I have seen my groups get bigger the warmer the barrel is. Keeping it cool to the touch is the best way to go when looking for accuracy.

 

[rnbra-shooter]

FWIW a properly installed match barrel will shoot well when hot.

 

[Stillar]

Don't worry about the stock yet. Glass bedding may get you by for a bit if you feel comfortable doing it yourself. It probably is not worth doing if you are paying a smith to do it being the stock is worth less than the labor.
Better ammo is a must. Tuned handloads are a must to precision shooting.
Plus what are you using for a rest system? A sturdy front pedestal rest (or even a decent front bi-pod) with a rear bag rest is helpful for removing a lot of human error.
More trigger time is never a bad thing.

I came up with a solution to the stock touching the barrel and it is the subject of another thread but it involves using a curved washer as a shim to keep the barrel up above the stock. I glass bedded the rifle and have yet to try it out. I figure the rifle will be consistent and accurate as a result.

 

[CyaN1de]

I came up with a solution to the stock touching the barrel and it is the subject of another thread but it involves using a curved washer as a shim to keep the barrel up above the stock. I glass bedded the rifle and have yet to try it out. I figure the rifle will be consistent and accurate as a result.

If the barrel is touching the curved washer then you are negating the fact that you are separating the barrel from the stock.

The purpose of "free floating" the barrel is to relieve ANY contact with the stock, not add a pressure point to the barrel.

 

[Stillar]

If the barrel is touching the curved washer then you are negating the fact that you are separating the barrel from the stock.

The purpose of "free floating" the barrel is to relieve ANY contact with the stock, not add a pressure point to the barrel.

The curved washer is under the second bolt that holds the receiver. There is no contact between the stock and the barrel. This small shim translates to a good gap between the end of the stock and the barrel.

 

[tiriaq]

FWIW a properly installed match barrel will shoot well when hot.

Yes.
In competition, it may not be possible to pause for extended periods between shots. There are time limits.