Browning A-Bolt Question- Stringing shots

DONDALINGER

I have a .280 Browning A-bolt Stalker I bought a few years ago. I really like the gun and it is very accurate. However, it does not group a normal "cloverleaf" group, it shoots a 3 shot or even a 5 shot group at 100 yds from a bench with Uncle Buds range bag in a line or what I call a string. I have tried factory ammo and reloaded some Nosler ballistic tips and some silvertips and they all group in a "string" about 1" to a 1 3/4" long. I took a big doe with it last year and it is fine for hunting, I am just curious why it does it. I own many centerfire rifles and none of my other rifles do this. I guess it is just a characteristic of this individual gun. I have targets at home for comparison and they all show the groups in a line.Any feedback appreciated.

ringo

I would check your bedding, mine looked like someone had gone wild with a hot glue gun, over time it seems to break down, I could pick it out with my fingernail! I was stringing shots, it went from MOA to 3.5". I did all the usual things, cleaned the bore, tightened the scope mounts and rings, checked the stock screws, still with the same results, so I rebedded my rifle free-floated the barrel and it went back to producing cloverleafs.

JustC

I'd bet bedding or lack of it is the issue. Try folding a business card over several times,..and shoving it just under the barrel at the front of the stock,..shoot a group and see if it improves. if so,..it is indeed the bedding.

why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?

D.S.COLE

You didnt say if your rifle is stringing the shots vertically or horizontally. Vertical stringing is generally due to inconsistant velocity,if it does it with all loads tried then look for light or inconsistant firing pin strike causing poor ignition,excess headspace or something to cause irregular ignition. Horizontal stringing is most often a bedding problem,scrape out the barrel channel and glas bed the action ,this should cure it.
Sometimes you get a barrel that warps as you shoot it and heat it up, if this the case there is no cure. If it is a hunting rifle as long as the first shot from a clean cold barrel goes where you want it to ,then dont worry about it.

DONDALINGER

The shot string is usually diagonal from northwest to southeast and occasionally up and down. I realize it is not a big issue for a hunting rifle. I was surprised it did it with all 3 different loads consistently and was trying to figure why. I checked all the rings, bases and stock screws(all tight). It does have what is called a "sporter barrel" which is actually a thin barrel to make the gun lighter. I wonder if I wait about 10 minutes between each shot, if that will make a difference. I'll try it this weekend and report back. Like I said, it is very acceptable accuracy for a hunting gun(1' to 1 3/4"). I just wanted some feedback because I've never had it happen before.

deerhntr

FIRST check the action screws take them out degrease them and reinstall them snug (NOT TOO TIGHT) but snug! then take off your scope and mounts degrease everthing and remount everthing using lock tight on the base threads and make sure your rings are snug aswell.
This "Stringing" sounds like something is loose, I think its in your scope mounts personaly.In my experience Browning has very good quality control so i dont think its in your bedding (But is possible).
Nice rifle,Good luck.

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"I BRAKE FOR ANIMALS! I eat them and wear thier skins"

Snellstrom

This stringing from high to low sounds like barrel or bedding issues if nothing is loose. Some lighter barrels don't like a free float and actually can perform better with a slight upwards pressure at the fore end. Some one mentioned earlier a business card folded up and stuck under the barrel at the fore end try this and shoot a group and see. The gun may just need a little positive pressure there. The good news is it doesn't sound like an extreme problem with bullets walking off the paper or nothing like that, if you can't find it with a little effort and it doesn't really bother you much, and more importantly it doesn't effect your confidence in the gun I would say hunt with it and be happy.

Contender Man

As you mentioned, try letting the barrel cool between shots and see what the result is. If the "stringing" is not present then you've more than likely got a bedding problem. Follow the advice with the business card or match book or anything similar in thickness. If you can then fire 3-5 shots w/o "stringing" of the amount is significantly decreased then the bedding needs to be redone or at the minimum a barrel pressure pad needs to be created near the front of the forearm, generally this is done w/ bedding compound. If your not comfortable tackling a bedding job, let your local gunsmith do it.



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