264 grouping issues

[264winmag]

Well, I think the pre 64' featherweight model 70  264  might be needing to retire.  At the range today and could not get a group under 9" at 100 yards. It has never done that before. I checked all the scope mounts for tightness and everything else I could think of. May be it is just time to say "after 50 years and 30+ deer, you have done your best".   Kinda sad

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Yeah the throat can get worn out in those after lots of shooting.  Great caliber, I have one my granddad gave me and I don't ever want to retire it!  Throw a new barrel on and keep on truckin!

[264winmag]

Yeah the throat can get worn out in those after lots of shooting.  Great caliber, I have one my granddad gave me and I don't ever want to retire it!  Throw a new barrel on and keep on truckin!

  Your right!  I should do that.  I figured the throat was bad.  And with plenty of new options for ammo that wasn't around a few years ago unless you paid hefty price for someone to load some, it's worth re-barreling.
  now i can get VLD's  and Nosler for it which excites me!

[Fishing Fool]

..Quick question, sir, have you ever cleaned the barrel with a good copper cleaner? I've seen quite a number of "shot out" barrels brought back to life with a serious scrubbing with a good copper cleaner. Just my 2 cents, FF

[Jim the Plumber]

Might give Rbro's rifles a call and see what he charges to bore scope the rifle.
Money well spent.

[264winmag]

..Quick question, sir, have you ever cleaned the barrel with a good copper cleaner? I've seen quite a number of "shot out" barrels brought back to life with a serious scrubbing with a good copper cleaner. Just my 2 cents, FF

NO,  I have not done that. What cleaner do you rec?

[pianoman9701]

Tetra.

[h20hunter]

Sweets.....

[Bob33]

"It had never done that before".

What were the groups previously? If they were reasonable groups such as something under 3", and they suddenly went to 9" then I would eliminate the barrel as the culprit.  A dirty barrel won't add 6" overnight to 100 yard groups.

It sounds to me as if the possibilities are (a) the shooter had a bad day and flinched, or (b) the scope has failed.

[264winmag]

"It had never done that before".

What were the groups previously? If they were reasonable groups such as something under 3", and they suddenly went to 9" then I would eliminate the barrel as the culprit.  A dirty barrel won't add 6" overnight to 100 yard groups.

It sounds to me as if the possibilities are (a) the shooter had a bad day and flinched, or (b) the scope has failed.

 I don't blame you for thinking that.  No flinching ever at range. I can hold crosshairs with in bull no movement what so ever!
 I was also thinking the same thing, this can't happen over night.
 Rifle has not been shot for 3 years. Prior to that it was grouping at 1.5" at 100yds   with the crappy winchester superX ammo.
 I also tried a different scope real quick with the same result.
 I hear ya! makes no sense.

[CAMPMEAT]

CLP

[264winmag]

No way am I flinching 6" high 3" left on shot, then 7"right and 6 " low on the next, then 5"high and 3" to right on next, then one in the BULL .    LOL    i'm stumped

[JackOfAllTrades]

"It had never done that before".

What were the groups previously? If they were reasonable groups such as something under 3", and they suddenly went to 9" then I would eliminate the barrel as the culprit.  A dirty barrel won't add 6" overnight to 100 yard groups.

It sounds to me as if the possibilities are (a) the shooter had a bad day and flinched, or (b) the scope has failed.

I agree.  Factory ammo? Hand loads?  Even a poor dirty barrel will shoot better as it is warmed up and will often still shoot well under 6".  Don't give up on that Winny just yet.  Clean with Sweets, but also examine your ammo. A shot out barrel will often still stabilize heavier/longer bullets. If you're shooting 90-110gn'rs, then bump up to some 135gn or so and see how she does. Let someone else shoot it too.
 
-Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

No way am I flinching 6" high 3" left on shot, then 7"right and 6 " low on the next, then 5"high and 3" to right on next, then one in the BULL .    LOL    i'm stumped

If you're sure of that... Then think 'Scope' issue.
 
-Steve

[264winmag]

No way am I flinching 6" high 3" left on shot, then 7"right and 6 " low on the next, then 5"high and 3" to right on next, then one in the BULL .    LOL    i'm stumped

If you're sure of that... Then think 'Scope' issue.
 
-Steve

I am positive of that!  I never flinch!  I can tell you where the crosshairs were when the gun goes off!
  I immediatly mounted a different scope thinking the same thing.  same result.
 OK   this is embarassing but might be the problem!                I was shooting 140gr win SupX               that was probably 5 or more years old!              hmmmm 140 is the heaviest I can get for factory ammo