As with engines, tinkering with rifles can provide an opportunity to learn a few things.... and sometimes the end result is a better mousetrap - if you don't blow it up by making it better. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Over the past couple of weeks, I've tried shims, o-rings, re-bedding under the barrel near the receiver and only made the groups much worse. I had almost decided that the barrel was worn out and contacted Dan Pedersen about reboring this one to .35 Whelen, but before I made up my mind, I decided to try a couple of different tricks.

I relieved the hole that the forward action screw goes through to get a more solid clamp without heat related stress. Then I decided to see if a rifle barrel really was like a tuning fork, with resonance changing depending on the unsupported length. Instead of the time-honored tradition of reloaders that tune the load to the barrel, I wanted to see if I could tune the barrel and bedding to the load.

I had last set the bedding at 2" beyond the receiver, so I determined to cut back the bedding a 1/4" at a time, effectively increasing the resonant length with each cut.

Went to the range today and shot in much less than ideal conditions..... storm coming, swirling winds at 15-20mph and realized I had left my sandbags at home. I propped the stock on 4 boxes of ammunition and supported the butt with my left hand - which allowed a terrible influence from my pulse, causing the cross-hairs to make like a hula dancer - but it was about all I could do. I wasn't expecting much - even thought about not shooting - but shot this group with a stiff breeze from the right:



Then this group with the wind from the left:



The wind calmed down for a few minutes and I shot one last group - the one low shot in the 9-ring was a real jerk and I don't consider it a part of the group for accuracy trials:



Those are 1.25" groups.... in the wind.... without sandbags. I'm growing much fonder of this rifle. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I'll go back and shoot it from sandbags on a calm day before trimming another 1/4" on the bedding. I am dreaming about a classic Springfield 35 Whelen, though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Frank