accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

[loboman7x57]

i have a rem 700 with a 26" krieger barrel in 6.5 wsm (8.5 twist) i dont load it maxed out. 120 nosler bts @3150. it shoots 1/2 moa at first but opens up quickly after 10-12 rounds. not shooting it hot, the barrel is allowed to cool between shots. bought it used and round count is unknown. is there anything i can do to make it shoot when dirty?

i know all rifles act different but i have a howa 1500 in 300 win mag that i never clean. it is just the opposite. the more i shoot it the better is shoots.

would a different bullet or powder make a differance? i use re19 in both calibers.

 

[Graham]

Re: accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

If what you say is true, and assuming it is the fault of the rifle, it sounds like the barrel is fouling badly. Some bad barrels do that, and won't stop doing that, in which case you will need a new barrel.

There's no voodoo: If a load shoots well for the first ten shots it won't suddenly change its performance.

 

[camocorvette]

Re: accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

I don't know much about 6.5WSM but what I have read is that the barrel life is not very long maybe 750-1000 rounds of accurate fire and after that its going to open up. But don't take my word for it. I'm sure someone with some real knowledge will show up and give you some advice.

 

[Graham]

Re: accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

But if it shoots 1/2MOA on a clean barrel the throat probably isn't roached.

 

[loboman7x57]

Re: accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

it does foul badly. takes a lot to get it clean even after a half dozen shots. i knew there must have been a reason i got it so cheap. the guy i bought it from was a benchrest guy. i mostly use it for deer hunting so it really isnt an issue i guess, just wanted to try getting into something like f class or silhouette shooting. gives me a reason for a new rifle i think. now to decide what caliber, i have about 1400 once fired 06 cases so may be i need a 7mm-06.

brian

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

Are you sure it is a Krieger? My Kriegers are the easiest cleaning barrels I have ver owned. I regularly shoot 100+ rounds in my 30-06 and sometimes forget to clean my 223 pistol all together and have never had a reduction of accuracy or difficulty cleaning. I have never heard of a bad fouling Krieger. 6.5WSM is probably pretty hard on a barrel. I am sure you know already that you don't need anywhere near 1/2MOA accuracy to hunt large game out to 350yds. If you want to compete it is probably time for a new barrel or a new gun. Might consider shying away from a WSM and get something a bit tamer and easier on barrel steel.

 

[loboman7x57]

Re: accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

was told it was a kreiger when i bought it used. was told it was built by greg tannel and the "6.5/270wsm .297 neck" on the barrel matches his font. it doesn't have gre'tan on it though. it is the best shooting rifle i have ever owned, just drives me nuts that it fouls so badly that i have to limit my shooting sessions. once the groups open up i quit shooting it.

 

[beretta682]

Re: accuracy shooting a dirty rifle

take it to a good gunsmith and have him borescope it,then you will know

 

[Gmac]

I've learned that my Savage TH 11 308 actually shoots better when it's a little dirty. Don't know why. It's a stock rifle. Nothing fancy. If I give it a very good clean with Hoppes, brush etc, on my next range my groups open up to 2 MOA or more for first 10 rounds then drop to sub MOA. For the past year I've been shooting Federal SMK 168 exclusively. I'm still somewhat new to the long distance game but I've learned that if I push a few dry patches thru the barrel after each range trip, I'm good to go. I'll give it a good clean after 100 rounds just for fun.

 

[Steel head]

Holy necro post batman!