My rifle is only accurate when hot???

kykamo

kykamo

Regular
Rating - 100%
20   0   0
Location
St Paul, AB
Hey guys,

I hope there are some accuracy gurus out there to help me out.

I have a Ruger Ranch in 7.62x39. Iv put a few 100 rounds through it. Its never really been an MOA gun. 2moa on a bad day and 1.3 at best. My best groups were always at the end of the day. I chalked it up to me getting better with practice. But I always noticed that I sucked when I would shoot that first group every rang session and then be doing markedly better by end of session.

The last time I took it out, my first groups were garbage. Like 2-2.5moa. Then after shooting awhile I was getting 1.1 moa. I took a break and let the rifle rest in the shade. Came back and my groups sucked again. Then by the end of the day i was shooting my best groups ever with that gun, .97moa. Most groups were ruined with an odd crazy flier similar to the cold bore shots.

Im convinced that as the rifle heats up it, shoots better. Normally a nice problem to have, the issue is my cold bore shots are garbage.

How do I fix my cold bore shots? Why is heat helping this rifle so much?

Thanks for your help.
 
I don't know the answer, but 2 MOA for X39 is pretty good any day. Was thinking maybe it likes to be a bit dirty, but you mentioned letting it cool after shooting so maybe not that. Whatever the reason, I still think 2 MOA is pretty good cold, and better after a couple rounds, I would be happy.
 
I will probably have to learn more, but a Ruger Ranch rifle never struck me as a "bench rest" or "target" rifle. But any rifle can probably be made to shoot as good as it can. So maybe someone will come along with a "fix" for you. Do not overlook that you, the shooter, are also part of that equation - actually a significant part of it.
 
I am going to put on my hat before I chime in...
You say its accurate when its hot - my question is do you clean it after each range trip? If you do the more you shoot it all the nick and crannies in the barrels fills up with carbon/copper - with a clean barrel your accuracy will be so-so. I seldom clean my barrels if they are shooting good once accuracy starts to deteriorate then it gets some love.
 
If you're shooting sub moa with 762x39 @ 100yds, count your blessings and buy that rifle a pretty new sling or something, she's earned it.
 
IvoB said:
I am going to put on my hat before I chime in...
You say its accurate when its hot - my question is do you clean it after each range trip? If you do the more you shoot it all the nick and crannies in the barrels fills up with carbon/copper - with a clean barrel your accuracy will be so-so. I seldom clean my barrels if they are shooting good once accuracy starts to deteriorate then it gets some love.
Click to expand...

This ^ OR -- a bent barrel ?
The barrel is free floated ?
 
It might help or not - I had read in a book by Ganyana - aka Dr. Don Heath - Africa hunter, guide, etc. Pretty special guy. In a discussion about "precise" versus "accurate" rifles - he used to compete in a service rifle competition - he would duck off to next range - rip off 20 or so rounds to warm up his rifle, then back to the "competition" and shoot for score. His Dad frowned on the practice - the old man shot with what he had when it was time to shoot - and the old guy often won stuff. So, Ganyana's story was that he had a "precise" rifle - capable of very fine groups, if it was warmed up. His Dad had an "accurate" rifle - could "take care of business" when called upon. I am learning there are divergent interests - in my learning days, and therefore still today, was all about getting the game - deer, mostly - so a single, cold bore shot was what I am mostly about. Turns out there are modern sports where you get a number of shots to "warm up", to "sight in", then shoot a string for score. The later is apparently very popular, but is not at all what I was raised about. Very much "each to their own" thing...
 
On mine out of the box, the forend of the stock was warped/twisted applying pressure to the barrel. I had to shave a bit off to free float the barrel. Maybe the same in your case? The hot barrel softens up the stock reducing pressure perhaps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom