I'm sorry, this is the first time I've ever partisipated in one of these forums, so if I break some protocol I'm sorry. My question is, why is the Remington 700 BDL SPS stock so inadequate for long range target shooting compared to a custom stock like Bell & Carson or McCmillan?
Sorry
- Thread starter OkShot
- Start date
I think the SPS stock makes some contact with the barrel. I believe the barrel is not free floating.
Contact between the barrel and the stock interferes with the natural frequency of the barrel, which can have a detrimental effect on accuracy in some cases. The interference of the stock with the barrel's forced oscillation as the bullet passes down the bore can cause the barrel to vibrate inconsistently from shot to shot, depending on the external forces acting upon the stock at the time of the shot. Micro-vibrations acting during the bullet's passage result in differences in trajectory as the bullet exits the bore, which changes the point of impact downrange.
A free-floating barrel is one in which the barrel and stock are designed to not touch at any point along the barrel's length. The barrel is attached to its receiver, which is attached to the stock, but the barrel "floats freely" without any contact with other gun parts, other than the rifle's sights. This minimizes the possible mechanical pressure distortions of the barrel alignment, and allows vibration to occur at the natural frequency.
Alternatives include using a stock manufactured from composite materials which do not deform as much under temperature changes or humidity changes, or with a wood stock using a fiberglass contact area (so-called glass bedding). Stocks which contact the barrel are still popular for many utility weapons, though the most accurate have largely moved to free-floating barrels.
Other stocks are more stiff, some have an aluminum pillar block, some hold the action better and so on. I wouldn't say it is inadequate, it just may not be the best. Other stocks may fit the shooter better and eliminate those variables a shooter puts on his/her rifle that cause inaccuracy. My accuracy greatly increased when i switched my stock.
Contact between the barrel and the stock interferes with the natural frequency of the barrel, which can have a detrimental effect on accuracy in some cases. The interference of the stock with the barrel's forced oscillation as the bullet passes down the bore can cause the barrel to vibrate inconsistently from shot to shot, depending on the external forces acting upon the stock at the time of the shot. Micro-vibrations acting during the bullet's passage result in differences in trajectory as the bullet exits the bore, which changes the point of impact downrange.
A free-floating barrel is one in which the barrel and stock are designed to not touch at any point along the barrel's length. The barrel is attached to its receiver, which is attached to the stock, but the barrel "floats freely" without any contact with other gun parts, other than the rifle's sights. This minimizes the possible mechanical pressure distortions of the barrel alignment, and allows vibration to occur at the natural frequency.
Alternatives include using a stock manufactured from composite materials which do not deform as much under temperature changes or humidity changes, or with a wood stock using a fiberglass contact area (so-called glass bedding). Stocks which contact the barrel are still popular for many utility weapons, though the most accurate have largely moved to free-floating barrels.
Other stocks are more stiff, some have an aluminum pillar block, some hold the action better and so on. I wouldn't say it is inadequate, it just may not be the best. Other stocks may fit the shooter better and eliminate those variables a shooter puts on his/her rifle that cause inaccuracy. My accuracy greatly increased when i switched my stock.
Stiffness. Stocks need to be stiff for long range shooting. Not all synthetic stocks are equal either. Some are not solid synthetic material. They're literally filled with a foam for weight reduction.
Mind you, an SPS isn't a target rifle. It's a hunting rifle. Hunting rifle accuracy isn't and doesn't have to be the same as a target rifle.
Free floating a barrel may or may not improve the groups. Not all rifles like a floated barrel. The only way to find out if your rifle does is to try it. If your groups get better fine. If not, putting a pressure point back in isn't difficult nor expensive. You just put a wee bit of bedding material an inch or so in from the end of the forestock.
Mind you, an SPS isn't a target rifle. It's a hunting rifle. Hunting rifle accuracy isn't and doesn't have to be the same as a target rifle.
Free floating a barrel may or may not improve the groups. Not all rifles like a floated barrel. The only way to find out if your rifle does is to try it. If your groups get better fine. If not, putting a pressure point back in isn't difficult nor expensive. You just put a wee bit of bedding material an inch or so in from the end of the forestock.
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
A stock does two things.
It holds the action. If this is done poorly, accuracy can suffer (for example, if it touches the barrel, or if its contact with the action changes with temperature or humidity).
It fits the shooter. Depending on how the handgrip fits your palm and trigger finger, how the butt fits your shoulder, how the cheekpiece fits your face, etc, it can be really easy to shoot your rifle well, or it can be a real struggle to fire a shot well.
It holds the action. If this is done poorly, accuracy can suffer (for example, if it touches the barrel, or if its contact with the action changes with temperature or humidity).
It fits the shooter. Depending on how the handgrip fits your palm and trigger finger, how the butt fits your shoulder, how the cheekpiece fits your face, etc, it can be really easy to shoot your rifle well, or it can be a real struggle to fire a shot well.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
It isn't.
ALL factory and most aftermarket stocks come with horridly loose inletting. This is called a 'drop in fit'. Problem, they don't state which action will drop in
So proper bedding is a necessity for peak performance. Some of the worst inletting I have seen came from a very big name stock that cost quite a few pennies to buy.
What most aftermarket stocks provide is a more rigid structure. Whether laminated wood, composite or alum chassis/plastic overlay, these stocks are rigid in torsion and flex.
I am playing with the Choate tactical and it feels like you could use one to jack up a truck - solid.
BUT the inletting is generous and I will properly bed it for best function.
The plastic factory stocks can have some very nice features. The pillars in them tend to be massive which is a good thing and the plastics used can have bedding compound stick to it with some prep work.
So the only weak area is the forend. Here you can either open it up ALOT and/or reinforce it to be more rigid.
I have been hunting and LR shooting with these plastic stocks for a long time with no problem. Are they ideal? NO. But they can be made to work.
Just playing with Savages new Edge/Axis. The erogonomics and appearance on this stock is excellent AND it isn't all that bad for flex. The inletting is also unique and may be one of the best I have seen in a factory rifle. Yes, a $300 rifle having "best" as part of its description.
Proper engineering and design is the limiting factor. The material is actually quite good.
Jerry
ALL factory and most aftermarket stocks come with horridly loose inletting. This is called a 'drop in fit'. Problem, they don't state which action will drop in
So proper bedding is a necessity for peak performance. Some of the worst inletting I have seen came from a very big name stock that cost quite a few pennies to buy.
What most aftermarket stocks provide is a more rigid structure. Whether laminated wood, composite or alum chassis/plastic overlay, these stocks are rigid in torsion and flex.
I am playing with the Choate tactical and it feels like you could use one to jack up a truck - solid.
BUT the inletting is generous and I will properly bed it for best function.
The plastic factory stocks can have some very nice features. The pillars in them tend to be massive which is a good thing and the plastics used can have bedding compound stick to it with some prep work.
So the only weak area is the forend. Here you can either open it up ALOT and/or reinforce it to be more rigid.
I have been hunting and LR shooting with these plastic stocks for a long time with no problem. Are they ideal? NO. But they can be made to work.
Just playing with Savages new Edge/Axis. The erogonomics and appearance on this stock is excellent AND it isn't all that bad for flex. The inletting is also unique and may be one of the best I have seen in a factory rifle. Yes, a $300 rifle having "best" as part of its description.
Proper engineering and design is the limiting factor. The material is actually quite good.
Jerry
