Custom Rifle Woes-What Now?
- Thread starter coleman1495
- Start date
That can well be. Several other Hardy barrels that went through our workshop seemed good or at least the customers seemed happy. Just not sure if I should risk another or chance a proof after reading this thread. They are a lot of money. I need a precision hunting rifle not a toy, although the weight reduction is really nice to have.
edi
Got to get hit at some stage. Was always very lucky with rebarrels, new factory rifles, new custom rifles as well as just fitting an old take off barrel.
I have been unlucky about 50% when buying second hand rifles (safe queen... done nothing etc..) One shot out doner action with "shot out" barrel shot fantastic....
edi
I don't have much CFW experience , I only own one. (Proof Sendero Light 6mm Creed, 7.7T) - shoots half moa 3 round groups often, with handload or 3 diff. factory loads. I sometimes shoot 5 round groups too, accuracy doesn't go to ####.
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
Well 3 rounds isn’t a group.
Also I don’t doubt there’s decent CFW barrels out there. They can’t all be crap. Besides if the second barrel was substantially better than the first I’d bet some barrels are much better.
I can only imagine your dissappointment. Hard earned dollars with a very different end result of what should have been a dream rifle. Hard to say where the blame lies but three shot groups dont really prove a whole lot which has become crystal clear in this situation. Ive shot a couple different custom rifles built with Hardy Carbon barrels by Insite Arms that are absolute bug holers. I personally dont own one but a good shooting friend of mine does and his rifles are incredibly accurate, even with me being right handed and his guns being left handed! Just a sugestion but next time give Harley or Andrew a call and the end result will be smiles. Harleys guns flat out shoot or they dont leave. FACT
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
Yeah I would definitely try a different gunsmith next time. I don’t know what the issue and neither did EM. I believe Shane chambered the first barrel (never actually told that but that was the impression I was given) and Steve chambered the second barrel.
The odd thing is that both barrels exhibited the same issue but the second barrel wasn’t nearly as bad. Its frustrating because Shane knew it shot like crap but wouldn’t admit it. An expensive custom rifle should be better than a mid grade factory rifle.
Coleman:
Before you blame the gunsmith or barrel look at this simple thing. Take the scope off and pull the screws out of the front of the rail or scope ring mounts. Make sure that the rail or mount screws are not touching the barrel threads inside the front ring of the action. You might have to shorten those screws. If these screws touch the barrel threads the barrel will throw random shots and the groups will drive you nuts. Most gunsmiths miss this simple thing and it is easy to check. Would you pull a barrel most Gunsmiths take off the rail and replace it without checking.
Steve
Before you blame the gunsmith or barrel look at this simple thing. Take the scope off and pull the screws out of the front of the rail or scope ring mounts. Make sure that the rail or mount screws are not touching the barrel threads inside the front ring of the action. You might have to shorten those screws. If these screws touch the barrel threads the barrel will throw random shots and the groups will drive you nuts. Most gunsmiths miss this simple thing and it is easy to check. Would you pull a barrel most Gunsmiths take off the rail and replace it without checking.
Steve
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
Yup that was already done. I went through every screw on that rifle.
stevesummit
CGN Regular
- Location
- spruce grove
Shane does not do any of the machining.
stevesummit
CGN Regular
- Location
- spruce grove
The OP was given an option for a rifle buy back, even though 4 other shooters and an independent third party did the load development. Both barrels met the 1/2moa guarantee. The OP decided to sell it and the new owner has no issues with the rifle.
Both barrels shot, the second barrel was load developed by a third party and shot by 3 different shooters and performed 1/2moa to 300y.
Both barrels shot, the second barrel was load developed by a third party and shot by 3 different shooters and performed 1/2moa to 300y.
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
A few things incorrect about your post. The rifle was never verified for .5 moa for more than 3 shots despite delivering the rifle to you 3 times. The statement about it being verified at 300 yards is also incorrect. Joel did a 3 round group at 100 yards and his buddies played with it on a 300 yard gong. No 300 yard groups were shot. Furthermore I was told by Joel that it was “about a 2 inch group” on the steel plate. The actual group size was never measured or verified just estimated through a rifle scope. Looking at lead splatter at 300 yards through a scope is a ridiculous claim for .5 moa accuracy.Much like the first time you insisted this rifle performed, you never actually checked
I did substantial load development on that rifle. I even brought it to an extremely experienced reloader. I absolutely could not get it to shoot consistently. That rifle produces nasty fliers.
Also I’m not sure the new owner has even fired the rifle. Last time I checked he didn’t even have dies. Has he got it shooting consistently?
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coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
Also I would like to add, I was not given an option for a rifle buy back. You offered to put it on consignment.
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
I’m not sure if Proof offered an explanation. They warrantied the first barrel but were not contacted about the second barrel. No idea what the actual problem was.
I am curious about how you measured the headspace... the headspace is set using steel gauges at the time the barrel is torqued to the action. If the smith said it was set at less than 3 thou... that means a steel go gauge in the chamber with the bolt closed has less than 3 thou clearance on the bolt face when the gauge is forward in the chamber. This is pretty much ideal... any tighter and you can run into sizing problems with some dies... it allows you to be able to size fire formed brass to an exact fit.
When you say the headspace was 10 thou... I think you may have been referring to cartridge head clearance on a particular piece of brass... that was over sized to start with. Headspace can only be measured using a steel go gauge.
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When you say the headspace was 10 thou... I think you may have been referring to cartridge head clearance on a particular piece of brass... that was over sized to start with. Headspace can only be measured using a steel go gauge.
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