Free float A7? (Group Therapy)......... Fixed!.......
- Thread starter GMC403
- Start date
love my A7, will watch with interest.
me too but I think I will change the stock...
Usually I just go by feel, if I had to guess. Just a couple foot pounds for mine.
The only issues I had with the screws on my A7 were the ones holding down the weaver bases. All four of them were stripped/stretched in the threads. I got lucky that the threads on the receiver weren't stripped as well. Just a cheap screw. I put in 40C rockwell hardness screws and shouldn't have that problem now.
Thanks for the info,
The reason I ask is I'm having sporadic groupings at 100yds but fine at 50y and 200y. I don't know if floating the barrel or action screw tension comes into play.
Rifle has less than 60 rounds through it, calm sunny day.
Scope is new VX-2 3-9x40
40yds, 1/2" groups
100yds
3 shot group, bottom (cold barrel)
5 shot group, top (cold barrel)
200yds
3 shot group, (cold barrel)
The reason I ask is I'm having sporadic groupings at 100yds but fine at 50y and 200y. I don't know if floating the barrel or action screw tension comes into play.
Rifle has less than 60 rounds through it, calm sunny day.
Scope is new VX-2 3-9x40
40yds, 1/2" groups
100yds
3 shot group, bottom (cold barrel)
5 shot group, top (cold barrel)
200yds
3 shot group, (cold barrel)
Did you tried only Fusion 140gr ammunition ?
I haven't tried mine yet but I'm waiting to have many brands ( at least 3-4 ) of ammo to try and to see what it likes most...
Mine is a .270 win. For now, I only have a box of Rem Corelock.
I haven't tried mine yet but I'm waiting to have many brands ( at least 3-4 ) of ammo to try and to see what it likes most...
Mine is a .270 win. For now, I only have a box of Rem Corelock.
I ran into the same issue with a Vanguard sub-moa. A friend took the barreled action out of the stock, and the factory bedding compound crumbled. I bedded the barrel, and free floated the barrel, and the groups opened up slightly. I built a pressure pad with bedding compound, and the groups are now tighter than ever.
As for the OP, if the 200 yard groups are fine, then there likely isn't an issue with the bedding. The bullets don't wander away at 100 yards, and then steer themselves back on track at 200 yards. How many 200 yard groups did you shoot?
Ben777-
I have only tried the Fusions (I will try other ammo) so far as I don't reload, and the 7mm08 ammo is scarce around here.
Stubble-
I sighted in at 40yrds with about 5 rounds, cooled down and cleaned barrel. Shot 2 three shot group @ 40yds with both being about 5/8", cooled down and cleaned barrel.
Moved the target to 100yds and verified zero (4 shots), they were hitting about 1.5" high and roughly center, but with a 2" spread.
Cleaned barrel, gave it a rest and switched rifles...
(My 30-30 was grouping better @100 with iron sights)
Tried @ 100yds again, first the bottom 3 pictured (walking right and up), cooled, then the 5 upper pictured (walking left and up), cleaned barrel and gave it a break.
Moved to 200yds and shot 3 shot group pictured, then did basically the same group 2 more times @200. Cooled and Cleaned the barrel. Tried again at 100yds with a 2" spread high and low of bullseye.
Got frustrated, cleaned up and was ready to leave. Took 3 "Hail Mary" quick shots at the 200yd gong (freshly painted) and grouped about 1.5"
I have only tried the Fusions (I will try other ammo) so far as I don't reload, and the 7mm08 ammo is scarce around here.
Stubble-
I sighted in at 40yrds with about 5 rounds, cooled down and cleaned barrel. Shot 2 three shot group @ 40yds with both being about 5/8", cooled down and cleaned barrel.
Moved the target to 100yds and verified zero (4 shots), they were hitting about 1.5" high and roughly center, but with a 2" spread.
Cleaned barrel, gave it a rest and switched rifles...
(My 30-30 was grouping better @100 with iron sights)
Tried @ 100yds again, first the bottom 3 pictured (walking right and up), cooled, then the 5 upper pictured (walking left and up), cleaned barrel and gave it a break.
Moved to 200yds and shot 3 shot group pictured, then did basically the same group 2 more times @200. Cooled and Cleaned the barrel. Tried again at 100yds with a 2" spread high and low of bullseye.
Got frustrated, cleaned up and was ready to leave. Took 3 "Hail Mary" quick shots at the 200yd gong (freshly painted) and grouped about 1.5"
LOL...Great help on Gunnutz...sometimes.
I clean a new rifle before shooting as mentioned bellow.
All my Tikka's shoot better with a clean barrel, I just bought a Sako A7 in .308 and I think it will be the same.
Lot of people have different methods, I target shoot lots and hunt and this is what I do..
After roughly 20 shots I pass 2 different patch with solvent. I then soak brass bore brush in solvent and pass it 5 times, I pass another solvent patch than 5 more pass with solvent soak brush. I then pass clean dry patches till they come out clean. I then apply a small amount of gun oil on patch and pass that through then 3 clean dry patch. No break in cleaning for me.
I have been doing this for 30 years and it works for me.
You need to try lots of ammo of different weight and manufacturer. Once you get your shots close to the bulls eye, don't adjust your scope anymore till you figure the ammo that shoots best and is appropriate for the game you hunt. It doesn't matter where on target as long as its on. All you want to see now is the grouping.
I wouldn't bother floating the barrel if I was you, not worth it. Sako A7 has a 5 shot 1" guarantee at 100yd. You just need to find what it likes. I just snug tight stock screws. I never had much luck with accuracy with Fusion in a few different calibers.
I just shot 6 different type of .308 in my A7 and will probably try another 4 to 6 next weekend.
Hope this helps, Good Luck
I clean a new rifle before shooting as mentioned bellow.
All my Tikka's shoot better with a clean barrel, I just bought a Sako A7 in .308 and I think it will be the same.
Lot of people have different methods, I target shoot lots and hunt and this is what I do..
After roughly 20 shots I pass 2 different patch with solvent. I then soak brass bore brush in solvent and pass it 5 times, I pass another solvent patch than 5 more pass with solvent soak brush. I then pass clean dry patches till they come out clean. I then apply a small amount of gun oil on patch and pass that through then 3 clean dry patch. No break in cleaning for me.
I have been doing this for 30 years and it works for me.
You need to try lots of ammo of different weight and manufacturer. Once you get your shots close to the bulls eye, don't adjust your scope anymore till you figure the ammo that shoots best and is appropriate for the game you hunt. It doesn't matter where on target as long as its on. All you want to see now is the grouping.
I wouldn't bother floating the barrel if I was you, not worth it. Sako A7 has a 5 shot 1" guarantee at 100yd. You just need to find what it likes. I just snug tight stock screws. I never had much luck with accuracy with Fusion in a few different calibers.
I just shot 6 different type of .308 in my A7 and will probably try another 4 to 6 next weekend.
Hope this helps, Good Luck
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Thanks Norma,
I've never had a routine for barrel "break in" before, but most of my rifles shoot better when clean.
It's only for Deer at this point. I plan to try a variety of ammo this week. I was hoping for some success with the fusions because that is what's readily available here, and I've had good results in other calibers.
The "Premium" ammo seems overkill for these small Coastal Blacktail, but if that's what it'll take to get her shooting straight then so be it.
I've never had a routine for barrel "break in" before, but most of my rifles shoot better when clean.
It's only for Deer at this point. I plan to try a variety of ammo this week. I was hoping for some success with the fusions because that is what's readily available here, and I've had good results in other calibers.
The "Premium" ammo seems overkill for these small Coastal Blacktail, but if that's what it'll take to get her shooting straight then so be it.
So, it seems that this thing just turns into a shotgun after 5-8 rounds regardless of ammo unless it's back down to ambient temp. I shot different ammo, didn't clean, did clean, and after the first few rounds ya might as well just go home......
The 50-100-200y thing was just a coincidence with cooling down time.
Fine for a hunting rifle, but it still makes me wonder if the pressure points on the barrel should be removed.
The 50-100-200y thing was just a coincidence with cooling down time.
Fine for a hunting rifle, but it still makes me wonder if the pressure points on the barrel should be removed.
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