8 tips to an accurate rifle: before spending dough for a gunsmith, look here first

Guns Magazine, Oct, 2006 by John King

Usually an accuracy problem can be found by a quick check of the obvious. By using the process of elimination, try a fix and test fire. Most of the time you can do this at the range if you've brought along a few simple tools. Use the following as a checklist. Sometimes a rifle will exhibit more than one problem, usually through neglect or abuse. It's also handy for running a diagnostic on a used gun you've just purchased.

If your rifle was shooting well, but the groups start wandering, check the action screws first. They should be well snugged. There is such a thing as too tight, so don't do your Hercules impersonation on them.

Clean It

Heavy fouling, either lead or copper, needs to be removed. There are plenty of good solvents--use them. Look for rust pits or obvious flaws in the rifling. Oddly, a pitted bore doesn't necessarily mean the gun won't shoot, but it's doubtful you'll get gilt-edged accuracy and it'll need cleaning more often.

Crown

A bad crown plays havoc with accuracy. Check to see the chamfer at the end of the bore looks concentric with the bore. You don't want dings, dents or raised surfaces contacting the bullet as it leaves the barrel.

Stock Fit

This problem is usually found in older rifles as wood shrinks or swells. Remove the action from the wood and clean out any dirt and debris accumulated in the recesses. Put in the action and see if it fits fairly snug or moves around. Look for wear spots indicating where the actual contact points are. These will appear darker and sometimes a shiny look will be seen.

Looseness in the action/stock fit can be fixed with stock bedding compound. If you're a tool-using male who can read and follow directions, you can do this at home. Otherwise, see the gunsmith.

Check the barrel channel and ensure the stock hasn't warped to one side, putting pressure on the barrel. Side pressure will have to be fixed. Some rifles shoot best with no pressure on the barrel--free floated--some shoot better with upward pressure on the barrel. You can determine this at the range by trial and error with a matchbook cover or business card. Keep folding it and putting it back under the forearm tip until the gun shoots better.

Loose Scope Mounts

Check for loose scope bases or loose scope rings. If you bought the gun used, don't assume things are as they should be. Unless you had the scope mounted by a trusted gunsmith or did it yourself, check the mounts to be sure the screws are tight. Make sure your screwdriver fits the screw slots properly. Also keep in mind the screws may be locked with a thread locking sealant. Too much pressure on the screw head will twist it off.

Bad Scope

This can be eliminated quickly by trying it on another rifle of known accuracy, or substituting a scope you know works. Usual indicators of a bad scope are several little groups spread out, no way to move the point of aim or just plain flyers all over. Don't be afraid to admit the scope could be a problem.

Trigger Pull

This is often overlooked, surprisingly. Some newer factory rifles have atrocious, heavy trigger pulls with a serious effect on your ability to hold the rifle steady as the trigger is pulled. Unless you are very skilled and knowledgeable, do not attempt to fix this on your own. Some adjustments on certain rifles can be done following the manufacturer's recommended procedures.

If checking these things has failed to put your rifle back into shooting order, ponder these things as well.

The Barrel

There is such a thing as barrel life. This means exactly what it says. Used AR-15s and other large-capacity magazine rifles can have lots of rounds through them. Generally, the temptation to just have fun blasting away is more than the average guy can take. Even a carefully monitored match rifle will soon show signs of accuracy loss from load testing and firing in a match.

Some calibers are notorious for eating a barrel up in a hurry. Really hot rounds such as the .220 Swift or calibers reaching towards 4,000 fps will sometimes only last 1,000 rounds before they exhibit throat erosion and poor accuracy. This can be seen using a quality borescope. Unfortunately, these cost an arm and a leg. Most benchrest gunsmiths (and some shooters) have these. A quick look at the rifling ahead of the chamber will tell if this is a problem. A new barrel will cure it, but you should evaluate the cost against the value (monetary or sentimental) of the firearm in question.

I hope I didn't bore you people singing the same old song, however, we all forget the basics sometimes, especially if we've gotten long, good service from a gun. It's now hunting season and a lot of you are taking your rifles to the range for the first time in a year. Before you run to the gunsmith in panic, check these things out first.

GUNSMITHING TOOLS BROWNELLS

200 SOUTH FRONT STREET MONTEZUMA, IOWA 50171

(641) 623-4000, WWW.BROWNELLS.COM

MIDWAY USA

5875 WEST VAN HORN TAVERN ROAD COLUMBIA, MO 65203

(573) 445-6363, WWW.MIDWAYUSA.COM