I have a Browning BAR Safari 2 in 30-06 which has become inaccurate.Here is some background info. When it was new it would consistently shoot about 1MOA or a little bit more. Since then my father had it up north hunting and it was a little abused. Used on the salt water, maybe put away wet and has come back worse for the wear. Since he has brought it back it shoots between 2-4MOA with the norm being around 4. The gun came back with a bit of rust out the outside of the barrel but, the inside is still good and bright with no obvious dull or rusted spots in the bore. I have tried two different scopes, mounts and rings mixed all and tried different combinations with all giving the same results. Have tried many different loads in the gun, both pre-rolled and hand loads with no satisfaction from any of them. Before it's trip up north it would eat anything and give about 1MOA.
I am wondering if there are any known problem areas or issues with these guns I should be looking at? I know how the forend attaches is a bit funky. It seems like the tension put on by the front swivel stud could change how the gun shoots and is critical. Also I have been sizing up the front forend and was wondering if maybe it has swollen a bit possibly from getting wet at some point and is putting pressure on the barrel. That was going to be my next move, do some clearancing around the forend but I figured I would see if anybody else had some suggestions before I take to tearing up the finish on the nice forend.
I am wondering if there are any known problem areas or issues with these guns I should be looking at? I know how the forend attaches is a bit funky. It seems like the tension put on by the front swivel stud could change how the gun shoots and is critical. Also I have been sizing up the front forend and was wondering if maybe it has swollen a bit possibly from getting wet at some point and is putting pressure on the barrel. That was going to be my next move, do some clearancing around the forend but I figured I would see if anybody else had some suggestions before I take to tearing up the finish on the nice forend.