A-bolt accuracy?

use enough gun · Rookie Member Joined: Oct 20, 2007 Posts: 9

Guys; I've got a Browning A-bolt SS Stalker in 25/06, 24" factory barrel. The absolute best groups I can get it to shoot are;
87 grain spire point and 54 grains of IMR4350 3 shots at 1/2". The 4th and 5th shot will go wide as the barrel warms up. Shooting a 117 spbt for deer I was able to get 3 shots into 5/8", both groups @100yrds.
The action is bedded, the barrel is free floating and doesn't make contact with the stock even when it's warmed up. I've reworked the trigger to a nice crisp 6oz. The scope is a Nikon 6x18.
I've seen numerous 25/06 rifles shoot groups @1/4" or less. I feel like this rifle should shoot better than it does. Anyone here shoot an A-bolt? How do they shoot for you and what's your favorite loads? Dave

roklok · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:02 am Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

Wow, I dont think I ever heard someone griping about near half MOA 3 shot groups out of a factory hunting rifle. What have you been shooting, benchrest rifles? Even a free floating barrel can change POA as it warms up because of internal stresses in the steel. Cryo-treatment might help,but frankly I would be happy with such performance.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Roklok,

Thats what I was thinking when I first read the post. Smile

Dimitri

chambered221 · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:56 am Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

You can't get a Browning A-Bolt to shoot 1/4 @ 100 ?? Point

That just plain sucks Mad

Your best was only 3 shots at 5/8 ?? ROFL

If it were me, I'd get rid of that gun. Can you say good by for ever Wave

So, just how much will you take ? Be easy on me. I don't want to spend to much on a deer rifle that only shoots 1/2 inch groups. No No!

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:06 am Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

Use enough gun...I sure wish my A-Bolt .30-06 shot even close to that...I know of no one that would complain about what your rifle is doing at 100 yards. Are you sure those that say their's is shooting 1/4" MOA are not on drugs? Or standing 5 feet from the target? 1/2" MOA is outstanding for a hunting rifle. I recommend that you don't try to get it any better except by trying different load combinations...

SwampFox · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:34 am Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

Ho, ha, ha.... Only in the spirit; You need to scrap that piece of crap, naw better yet, send it to the unwanted rifle's home: I will PM you my address Very Happy

With a custom gun you can get .1 to .2 groups, with work and a lot of practice. With a factory gun, my rule of thumb is 1/2 inch and I do not break them down. So many factory guns today are 2-4 inch shooters, our gun makers have forgot that a gun is supposed to shoot. You are fortunate to have a factory product that does what you bought it to do. Shocked

Ed

Arizona Hunter · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2006 Posts: 275

Those are great groups! Heck my .204 Ruger shoots 1/4" to 3/8" with my best loads; my 30.06 and 6.5 x 55 get "only" 5/8" to 3/4" and I'm very happy with that.

A17Shooter · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

use enough gun,

I'd be happy with that 25-06 of yours. Three shot groups are all you should worry about with a deer rifle. 1/2" from a factory gun is great.

If you need bragging rights, buy an old Rem 700 to use as a donor gun, then go to the best gunsmith you can find. About $1500 - $2000 later you should have a good bragging gun. Very Happy

FALPhil · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

use enough gun wrote:

I've seen numerous 25/06 rifles shoot groups @1/4" or less. I feel like this rifle should shoot better than it does.

I'd be willing to bet that most of those you saw shoot those tiny groups were not box stock, mass produced factory rifles like your A-Bolt.

Count your blessings.

use enough gun · Rookie Member Joined: Oct 20, 2007 Posts: 9

My buddy bought his daughter a Sako in 25/06 for Christmas last year. Out of the box it shoots 5 shots into one 1/4 ragged hole and I've seen it shoot that group with my own eyes. He also has a Ruger that pretty much duplicates the feat.
Maybe I'm just to fussy, but I shoot 4 position smallbore in an indoor league. My 40X will shoot in one hole as long as the shooter does their job. My old .220 Swift would also shoot 1/4 groups without to much effort. Well I guess if nothing else, I'll shoot the snot out of it until the barrel starts to go and screw on a custom barrel down the road. Dave

Vince · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

use enough gun wrote:

Well I guess if nothing else, I'll shoot the snot out of it until the barrel starts to go and screw on a custom barrel down the road. Dave

Gidday use enough gun. Well mate, there's your problem...some terrible, disgusting grub has been blowing his nose down your barrel Yuck

Clean that gunk out and you should get a little better accuracy.
Laughing

Seriously though...I think most, if not all, hunters would be ecstatic with 1/2 MOA from their box stock hunting rifle. Sure, some rifles achieve better than that, but they are the exception rather than the rule. In fact, Weatherby capitalise on these freaks of the factory and sell them as their Sub MOA rifle. They aren't manufactured any differently (so they say) ...just tested and labelled accordingly.

Cheers, Vince

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Dave,

Remember that the 40X from Remington is a "semi-custom" gun I belive. Smile

Dimitri

chambered221 · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

Yes Dimitri, They are semi-custom

And I'm willing to bet that if Dave has a 40X that shoots one hole out of the box, it was built prior to the 90's.

FALPhil · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: A-bolt accuracy?

use enough gun wrote:

My buddy bought his daughter a Sako in 25/06 for Christmas last year. Out of the box it shoots 5 shots into one 1/4 ragged hole and I've seen it shoot that group with my own eyes. He also has a Ruger that pretty much duplicates the feat.

That's the first time I ever heard of an out-of-the-box Ruger that would do that. I guess even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

If I were you, I'd start getting my lottery numbers from your buddy.

Again, count your blessings.