Question for Groundhog Devastation??

old single shots

I have recently developed a load for a new Rem mdl 7 22-250 that will roup 5 shots under 1/2' with a CLEAN barrel.As soon as i get about 20 shots through it everything goes all to He--.Groups open up and go all over the place.Is this due to the Varget powder being so dirty,The Stainless steel barrel?? I personally have never had a rifle go from shooting excellant to lousey that quickly.I would appreciate your thoughts on this.Thanks Old SS

groundhog devastation

I wouldn't think it was because of the Varget. Some barrels are like that. I have had some and seen some. I had a friend who is a gunsmith that the last production rifle he bought was a Rem 700 Varmint in 22-250. With a clean barrel it would shoot 3/10. After 15 shots it wouldn't shoot hardly 2"! He says he sees that in Remington barrels more than others. I told him he saw it in Remington barrels more because he saw more Remingtons!! Anyway are you getting bad copper fouling? That's why I like to try to break a barrel in using JB for the first 5 or 6 shots and then Sweet's for 5-6 shots and then Sweet's for the next 5 or so 3 shot groups. It's just my opinion but I think if you get one broke in right it won't copper foul as easily. Some barrels are harder to break in than others. I think Stainless barrels in general are harder to break in but once you get it broken in usually goes a little farther before accuracy starts to decline noticably. Hope this helps. GHD

old single shots

GHD--I have been cleaning with Shooters Choice and not seeing much if Any signs of copper fouling.No green or bluish stains on patches.Only Powder residue (black)I have mostly played with Remingtons and don't remember having this problem before.Anyway,it sounds like your friends.The groups go from 1/2' to almost 2'Hopefully,with time ,it will smooth out and not foul as quickly.Thanks for your reply. Old SS

groundhog devastation

OSS, Go get some Sweet's 7.62 and try it. Follow the directions on the bottle. You might be surprised what comes out! GHD

v35

Is the barrel allowed to cool down after the first five shots?
If the inaccuracy occurs only with a hot barrel a Cryogenic barrel
stress relief might be the cure.

old single shots

V35-Cool barrel doesn't help.Once i get to the 15-20 shot mark i have to clean the barrel to restore accuracy.

coyote-man

It sounds like the barrel is getting "coppered up" and the "sweets" is in order. I always check the muzzle either in direct sun light or with a good flash light. You will see the copper if it is there and being that it is a new rifle it could take 100 shots or more before the barrel will smooth out. I once had a Win. 70 in 270 that I could never get all the copper out, even heated the barrel to 160 degress and worked with JB & Sweet's for hours and it was still there.

New factory barrels are fairly rough,not like a good custom barrels which are really smooth. So roughier the barrel the more copper fowling. If no copper in barrel then try different powder

Just one more note; In all of my 6 hunting rifles that I have, not a single one of them can I get completly cleaned in less than a hour after putting 30 rounds through them. Two of them have even been "frozen" and polished. I use JB paste, Sweets and Shooters choice.

old single shots

Thanks to everyone for your replys.I checked the barrel in good light after a good cleaning.It is coppered.Sweets is not available anywhere in my area.If someone has some to sell,email me with cost and mailing address.Thanks. Email--wbjfarnham@aol.com