Range Report Cold bore shot

[Dmenden]

Hello my new friends. First time poster. I recently bought a 6.5 PRC, and got it sighted in. The problem is, when I shoot my first shot after letting it cool completely, it shoots 1.5" low left, and it consistently does this. Consistently enough that it looks like 2 separate tight 3 shot groups. How do I fix it?

 

[ShtrRdy]

What kind of rifle is it?

 

[Dmenden]

What kind of rifle is it?

Savage 110

 

[ShtrRdy]

I would guess the barrel is the problem. But, before replacing the barrel check to see if the forend of the stock is touching the barrel anywhere.

You could just make an adjustment for that first round since it's so consistent.

 

[Dmenden]

I would guess the barrel is the problem. But, before replacing the barrel check to see if the forend of the stock is touching the barrel anywhere.

You could just make an adjustment for that first round since it's so consistent.

If it's the barrel, I need to send the gun back. I just bought it. Put the first 40 rounds through it this week.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Give Savage a call and see what they say.

 

[gigamortis]

Sometimes a factory mass produced barrel will do that when it hasn’t been stress relieved before and after the rifling is cut. 2x stress relieving is common with premium barrel makers, but not factory barrels.

I had a factory Savage 10fp that shot amazingly 1/4 MOA. Cold bore was always 1 MOA different. The problem got solved when I wore that barrel out and put a Shilen barrel on. Then cold bore was dead on with warm bore after that.

 

[Dmenden]

Sometimes a factory mass produced barrel will do that when it hasn’t been stress relieved before and after the rifling is cut. 2x stress relieving is common with premium barrel makers, but not factory barrels.

I had a factory Savage 10fp that shot amazingly 1/4 MOA. Cold bore was always 1 MOA different. The problem got solved when I wore that barrel out and put a Shilen barrel on. Then cold bore was dead on with warm bore after that.

Is there a way to stress relieve it now?

 

[gigamortis]

Stress relieving is a controlled heat up and cool down cycle. I don't know the specifics, but most user level average joes aren't going to tool up for one barrel.

 

[AIAW]

Just have someone spin up a barrel for it. You’ll be happier in the long run... just do a search and behold!

Savage factory barrels are made on the same assembly line as childrens swing sets and those Amazon branded wine racks.

 

[akxx]

OP--any update on this? Many times a shifting cold bore shot can be attributed to either the action not being properly bedded/relieved so that it isn't touching anywhere, or improperly torqued action screws.

 

[Dmenden]

OP--any update on this? Many times a shifting cold bore shot can be attributed to either the action not being properly bedded/relieved so that it isn't touching anywhere, or improperly torqued action screws.

After about 100 rounds, and working up a hand load for it, the issue is no longer present. The groups are exceeding my expectations from an inexpensive rifle. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

 

[PracticalTactical]

You can use cryogenic stress relieve instead of heat.

I believe they bring it to or close to absolute zero twice and let it warm to room temperature.

I had that done on a barrel made by Hart many years ago and it was incredible.

There's also vibratory stress relieve.

 

[Steel head]

Just have someone spin up a barrel for it. You’ll be happier in the long run... just do a search and behold!

Savage factory barrels are made on the same assembly line as childrens swing sets and those Amazon branded wine racks.

 

[Corprin]

After about 100 rounds, and working up a hand load for it, the issue is no longer present. The groups are exceeding my expectations from an inexpensive rifle. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Glad to hear it fixed itself after a short while, without swapping a barrel.

So many folks just throw money at their issues round these parts.

 

[Dmenden]

Glad to hear it fixed itself after a short while, without swapping a barrel.

So many folks just throw money at their issues round these parts.

Ya, I was willing to do it, but not before I went through the steps and tried find a load it liked. I also wanted to get it partly broken in. I already have a rifle that needs a new barrel, so having 2 done at the same time would lead to a marriage that needed to be stress relieved.

 

[R-B]

My Savage 10T .308 took ~750 rounds before cold bore shift went away. I’m now at a little over 1000 and the last 6 trips to the range have had zero cold bore shift. Of course I had taken it apart and put it back together a couple of times and tried different types of ammo in the first 700 rounds. Been shooting Federal 185 Juggernauts since that point and all is well.