Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Problem Child 243 Featherweight

Have it recrowned.

I had a problem rifle that I just couldn't get any consistency out of, tried everything. When I got to look at the bore with a bore scope I knew what the problem was. Firelapped the barrel and now it is a consistent 0.6" 3-shot with factory ammo.

Firelapping doesn't fix everything, but it will fix a rough bore.

Aaron

The bedding is tight. The crown looks good. I can't see any imperfections although I am looking at it with my naked eye. In the photo the light spots are just that, reflection from the overhead can lights.

Bedding looks good but I'd remove the compound under the chamber. Leave about 1/4" or so under so it looks like this:
(sorry it's a synthetic stock so the representation isn't as good as what it would be for a wood stocked rifle but you get the point)

....... and re free-float it just for chits and giggles. Also make sure you have clearance around the action screws (open up the holes after bedding).....Make sure the action isn't stressed when you tighten up the action screws too. My New Haven 30-06 classic sporter didn't like that much bedding material under the chamber so I did the above and also did the same with my 7mm rem mag (pictured) and they both shoot lights out...

I will give it a try. Thanks.

This is purely anecdotal, but I've had a couple of Featherweights that just would not shoot. They were free-floated, bedded, etc, and like you I tried all of the standard accurizing measures.

Both of these rifles ultimately did start shooting well, however, after I shot the heck out of them and let their barrels get good and HOT, followed by a thorough bore cleaning. I call it a "redneck barrel break-in". If you're going to sell or rebarrel anyway, it might be worth a try.

One suggestion I can pass on when the 'fire was trying to help me diagnose flyers with my re-barreled 70; make sure you have the correct length front scope base screws. If they bottom out on the barrel threads, the front base may be loose.

The other suggestion was to make sure the action screws were not touching the stock.

I, too would get it crowned and float the barrel.

You May well know this but with M70's the stock screws should be ightened roughly as follows;
1. tighten front action screw very tight. Tighten the middle screw until the head just touches and tighen the back screw tight. Makes a big difference in accuracy with mine.