I'd like some experienced opinions.

[futureAT]

Hey guys, I need some help. I inherited this Rem 700 30-06 w/ iron sights and factory plastic stock from my dad when he passed, among many other guns. I put a Nikon 4.5-14x42 scope on it and took the irons off, added a bipod, did my own trigger adjustments, and free floated the barrel. I've put most of the rounds through it, guessing maybe around 300-400 rounds though it total. It's a great rifle and pretty darn accurate but after about 4 rounds about 10 seconds apart, the group starts opening up horribly, I think due to the smaller diameter barrel heating up. First 2-3 rounds group fine at about .8 inches @ 100 yds prone with bipod but after that, I can't seem to get it to group less than 2-3 inches. Firing from a supported bench w/ sandbags doesn't seem to make a difference. I know a rifle like this isn't meant to be fired round after round but I'm almost thinking about trading it or selling it and getting either an AR-10 or another Rem 700 chambered in .308 so I can get the bull barrel. Or should I just get an aftermarket barrel in 30-06 that's a bull barrel? Any other ideas why the group starts opening up after the 4-ish round? I really want a more "tactical" rifle that I can fire several rounds and still sustain a decent group but I hate to get rid of this rifle. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Is the barrel still free-floated after 4 or so rounds? Was wondering if the heat was allowing the plastic stock to bend a bit and come in contact with barrel. Cools off and goes back to free float. Read a review of some stock Rem700 stock that would do this.

[long-shot]

You may have a couple things in play. The first is it appears your barrel warps when it gets warm. This could make contact with the barrel or not, but if the barrel warps it will still shift your POI. The plastic stock also may be flexing when you apply pressure with your bipod, but if you can shoot groups and allow the barrel to cool then this likely isn't it.

Honestly, it sounds like the barrel just moves when it warms up. Match barrels get around this by stress relieving their barrels. Sounds like you've still got a great serviceable weapon though.

[futureAT]

Hey thanks guys. It very well may be the fact that the hotter barrel expands enough to make contact with the stock, thereby shifting POI. I'll look into that this week when I go to the range. By the way, this rifle is all factory except for the aforementioned mods I did myself. I asked a local pawn shop owner and he says that some rifles actually shoot more consistently when they have some contact with the stock so I might try that too. I'm gonna play around a little with it and see if I can work out the kinks. I appreciate the advice!

[tuck]

After you make sure your stock is fully floated, you may want to look into bedding the stock you have, or buying a more tactical style stock and having that bedded as well.

[rickp]

I would try to eliminate the stock as the issue.

If you want a top of the line stock with adjustable length of pull and comb hight get a Accuracy international stock. You dont have to bed it or do anything else to it, just drop in the action and you're done.

Late if you decide to get rid of your current rifle you might be able to use the same stock to put a Rem 700 action into it. You might want to ask about that before you get the stock. If it will fit you're well on your way to getting that "tactical rifle you want"

You can contact the guys at GA Precision and pick their brains. they are at the top of the custom business and can answer any questions or issues you might have.

R.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I would try to eliminate the stock as the issue.

If you want a top of the line stock with adjustable length of pull and comb hight get a Accuracy international stock. You dont have to bed it or do anything else to it, just drop in the action and you're done.

Late if you decide to get rid of your current rifle you might be able to use the same stock to put a Rem 700 action into it. You might want to ask about that before you get the stock. If it will fit you're well on your way to getting that "tactical rifle you want"

You can contact the guys at GA Precision and pick their brains. they are at the top of the custom business and can answer any questions or issues you might have.

R.

I like that idea, just he'll have to get a LA stock for the 30-06. Nothing wrong with that, but if he decides to go to a new rifle, I would assume he would go with a SA round like 308 or 260Rem.

My comment about heating and bending was more aimed at the barrel emitting heat to the plastic stock, reducing its rigidity and allowing it to warp. The warping might only be apparent when you are in position, especially if you are using a sling or putting a load on the bipod.

If nothing else, you have a really nice hunting rifle

[eightmillimeter]

In my experience I have seen many "hunting" weight barrels that did not shoot well after fully free floating. About 3lbs of upward pressure 2-3" from the end of the forearm on the barrel always worked very well to keep things stable. The way to do that is to vise the gun upside down and hang a bucket with 3 lbs of weight in it on the barrel while bedding... and use some clay to keep the bedding gel contained to about one inch of contact with the barrel... as you only want the bedding material to be in contact in that one spot and not the length of the barrel.

[7 RING]

In my experience I have seen many "hunting" weight barrels that did not shoot well after fully free floating. About 3lbs of upward pressure 2-3" from the end of the forearm on the barrel always worked very well to keep things stable. The way to do that is to vise the gun upside down and hang a bucket with 3 lbs of weight in it on the barrel while bedding... and use some clay to keep the bedding gel contained to about one inch of contact with the barrel... as you only want the bedding material to be in contact in that one spot and not the length of the barrel.

+ 1. Free floating is not always the answer. At times, pressure bedding makes a huge difference, especially with lighter profile barrels. Years ago, hunters would sometimes place a business card between the stock and barrel 2" to 3" from the front of the stock, then retorque the stock screws.

[300WM]

Four rounds of 30-06 through a Rem. 700 barrel is not enough to do anything other than let the barrel expand just enough (.001 to .003") to touch your stock and push the groups (suprised it happens after only 4). Barrel twist or flop takes a lot of heat to rear its head. Can you get a business card (cut a ribbon off length ways, about a half " wide. A ribbon of paper or a dollar bill is not thick enough with a bipod) all the way to the receiver after 4 or 5 shots with your gun in the position you shoot in? You will need a friend to help with this. If you cannot, this is the first thing I would correct. Also check out some barrel twist/vibration dampners on line. These help if you shoot a lot with a hunting barrel. Remington does the cheap stock thing so guys like me can afford to buy the 700, but the problems with the stocks (should you keep yours) are fixable, easily. Bedding the receiver after you have good clearance will help some, but it is a hassle to bed a plastic stock, and not everything will stick to the plastic. Hunting barrels are not really designed to be range barrels.