Hey whattaya know, floating the barrel worked...

[rantingredneck]

I bought a Rem 700 ADL in .243 last year. Have had one in .30-06 for 12-13 years and wanted a .243 to go with it. Walmart was clearancing them so it was good timing .

Took it to the range a few times and was not happy at all with the way it was shooting. It was Minute of Deer, but my other ADL was a fine shooter straight from the box.

I tried torquing the screws tighter/looser than spec. I tried two different scopes (a Nikon 4x32 and a Millet). Just wasn't pleased. I was averaging 2-3 inch groups at 100 yds. I was planning to float the barrel and maybe try to bed the action (never done it before, but I was willing to give it a try).

Well my accident during bow season set my plans back a bit. I left the rifle as it was and my nephew actually killed a deer with it in Nov at about 125 yds.

So, this year I put another Nikon scope on it (Prostaff 3-9x40), and I floated the barrel. I took a dowel of the appropriate size, wrapped sandpaper around it and hogged out the stock. For those who aren't familiar with them, the 700 ADL's are pressure bedded with two pressure posts near the front of the stock. That combined with properly torquing the screws usually results in a good shooting rifle. This one was an exception apparently.

So the barrel is freefloated back to the action. The action is securely tightened to the stock, with no bedding compound.

Took it to the range yesterday with 20 rounds of Rem Corelokt 100 grain factory ammo (not reloading yet for this caliber). I started with a squeaky clean bore. First couple of 3 shot groups were just a shade over an inch. Next one was an ugly 2.5 inch group. I blame myself there, not the rifle. I settled in and got steady. Recited to myself "support the rifle with your bones, not your muscles" over and over a few times. Last few groups were 1" or better. The last 5 shot groups had 4 touching with one flyer slightly separated from the main group.

Here are some pics:
First group

2nd to last

Last

 

[BsChoy]

Think ya did it with the float job. I had a hard time with a synthetic BDL I got in 30-06 last year until I dremeled the pressure pad at the stock tip off and bedded the action. Now its a solid 1 inch deer gun that I can live with!

 

[skinewmexico]

Why would Remington still build rifles with pressure points? That's just silly.

 

[Slamfire]

I am of the opinion that a free floated barrel is the only way to go in a bolt action. Excluding old military bolt rifles.

If you have this unencumbered barrel, no barrel bands, no bayonet lug, no gas cylinder, than why mess with its vibrations by having stock contact? Which varies, depending on how tight you are pulling on the sling, and whether the barrel has expanded from the heat.

In my limited experience, when I have relieved fore end contact, and bedded the action, my accuracy improved.

 

[NCsmitty]

I have yet to see a rifle that did not improve its groups by fully floating the barrel.
My personal exception is my Remington 541-THB which is completely original, with the pressure point untouched in the stock. It shoots very well as is and I don't want to devalue it's like-new status.

NCsmitty

 

[rantingredneck]

I have to admit I was a bit nervous about floating it. I'd read in various places that with sporting weight barrels it may not be a great idea. That it works better with heavy barrels.

As it stands I'm happy.

I've got some new loads worked up for my .30-06 to take shooting in a week or two. We'll see how they do with it stock. I might some day float it, but so far it hasn't been necessary.

I'm of the "if it ain't broke" mindset generally.

 

[Sitting Duck]

RantingRedNeck: Do all Model 700 Sporter barrels have the two pressure points? Even, say a 1977. I have a ADL 22-250 in wood that a dollar bill just barely starts to slide between the stock and barrel. I shoot three shot groups and the first two are tight (usally .5-.75 @ 100 yds.) but the third flies off into never-never land.

Do you think that sanding to a total free float will help reign in that lobo?

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I've always had a better result with a floated barrel.

But, I have had one rifle that was bedded the entire length of the stock. It shot just as well as a floated one.

You might try taking a rubber oring, like from a faucet and placing it under the barrel a couple of inches from the end of the stock.

May help a bit, may not.

 

[rantingredneck]

RantingRedNeck: Do all Model 700 Sporter barrels have the two pressure points? Even, say a 1977.

just as a WAG I'd say yes. Mine were about 1/2 to 1 inch from the tip of the forearm.

Best way to find out is to take the barreled action out of the stock and see. You'll see two flat posts sticking up.

Mine was throwing shots all over the place before I sanded it.

I can't necessarily in good conscience say, "Sure sand that joker down" but if you decide to and the results aren't what you expect, ADL takeoff stocks are fairly cheap on the used market.

 

[Sitting Duck]

rantingredneck: I did remove the barrel/action from the stock in order to install an up-to-date front sling mount. The bi-pod I purchased wouldn't fit on the old factory Remington setup. I don't remember the posts so I guess I can sand away.

I'm pretty new to all of this and I'm open to all suggestions that will convince that third brother to come back in and join the family.

Thanks, for the info.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Outstanding - glad to hear it!