Accurizing my rifle

[M_trace1187]

I have a remington model 710 in 30-06 . Would i benifit by free floating the barrel ? Or is that even possible ? Any other suggestions on making it more accurate ? It does pretty good as is but there is always room for improvement.

[22.5degrees]

Depends on what you use it for. What ranges are your shooting at and what kind of accuracy are you currently achieving. Not to mention what glass are you using. If its the supplied scope then that's a good place to start. Chuck it and buy a quality scope and some quality mounts.

22.5

[Mike762]

Depends on what you use it for. What ranges are your shooting at and what kind of accuracy are you currently achieving. Not to mention what glass are you using. If its the supplied scope then that's a good place to start. Chuck it and buy a quality scope and some quality mounts.

22.5
+1 start with quality optics and match ammo then go from there.

[M_trace1187]

any scope recomedations? I am using winchester supreme ballistic silvertip ammo.

[Hollis]

Suggest a book, The accurate rifle. If you spend time reading and doing some research it will save you a bunch of bucks.

Also keep in mind you only need to be as accurate for the shooting you are doing demands. Don't expect unlimited bench rest accuracy with a basic hunting rifle and scope.

[maw]

it's a hunting gun so the accuracy is what? 1 moa -/+? if you want better accuracy probably the most important component is the barrel but that would be financially unviable in this case. like 22.5 (i don't like no steenkin clips) said the glass is an option but if you're not shooting beyond a 100-200 yards you won't need to read the wind so the high end glass doesn't give you that much. if i remember the trigger is a one stage, is it adjustable? i might give that a go. after that you might want the action looked at by a good gun smith. finally, experiment with different loads to see which one the barrel prefers.

[-stk-]

Check this company out http://www.hillcountryrifles.com/accurizeit.asp

I have only heard good things about this company. Although I have never had personal dealings with them.

[BillySing]

It all depends on how much greenback you are willing to piddle away......

How often do you shoot with said rifle. Practice makes perfect.

First, Are you scope rings and mounts good and tight?? What sort of optics do you use?

Are the all the screws/bolts done up to the requisite tension??

Try mucking around with different brands of ammo, some rifles distinctly prefer one brand over another in terms of accuracy.

Handloading will definitely improve accuracy,

What is the Trigger like?? A creepy, heavy or ultra light trigger will affect accuracy.

Have you got the correct eye relief for the scope?

How often do you clean the barrel?

Then you can really get into the accuracy game by.....

polishing the sear and scope rings,

Blueprinting/ truing the action up,

Getting a better barrel, like a krieger, madsen, lilja, lothar-walther, shilen or broughton.

having that barrel floated (stock modification may be necessary)

Getting better bedding for your rifle,

Getting a match grade stock......or an accuracy international chassis!! :)

I've fired a mate's 710 and it's shot like a dream........there will always be one or two rifles that escape the factory that won't perform up to expectations.

[AllAmerican]

Those ballistic silvertips are the best you can come by, i love 'em.

Are you sure you wanna accurize your rifle? That nice 'ole buck in your avatar seems to be a testament already! That's pretty nice!

[oldsoak]

Like BillySing said - you can spend humungous amounts of dollars if you so desire. If your gun is in good nick, find out what shoot well in your rifle first, then work round that. IMHO, I'd go for a good comfy stock - get it properly fitted and bedded - and decent glass and mounts next. Dont put a 500 dollar optics on 5 dollar mounts btw, - get good quality ones. You now have good ammo, properly fitting stock, good glass etc - you can start fiddling around with barrels and triggers.
An easy way is to get it over to a good gunsmith and ask him whaere he'd start first.

[TacoDelRio]

If you've got a 710, and you want more accuracy, you'd best buy a 700. The 710 wasn't built for accuracy, but is intended to be an easily affordable hunting rifle, and it does that well.

The Model 700 Varmint rifles have good chamber specs or something, so's I was told.

[Ghetto Defendant]

any scope recomedations? I am using winchester supreme ballistic silvertip ammo.

Well, how much cash do you want to spend?

For a very good, solid scope for around $200, I suggest the Burris Fullfield line.

[JoaMei]

Well, how much cash do you want to spend?

For a very good, solid scope for around $200, I suggest the Burris Fullfield line.

Very good, solid Scopes start at 1000$... ;-)

[DeltaWhisky58]

Very good, solid Scopes start at 1000$... ;-)

I've always noticed this huge difference between what is considered a good scope in Europe Vs. North America.

I'm with you - here in the UK you don't get much for less than the equivilent to $1000.00

I use Schmidt und Bender - mine are about 15-20 years old, but superb, I'd hate to pay current prices.

[Indiana Jones]

I've always noticed this huge difference between what is considered a good scope in Europe Vs. North America.


Continental European hunting mostly takes place during low light conditions (Deer) or even at night (Fox/Boar ), while in America hunting is often done in broad daylight, where poor light transmission and optical quality does not have as severe an impact...I guess that is the main reason, it also reflects in the most common scope sizes. For standard hunting applications, the American favorite 3-9X40 is close to useless at least under the conditions which I mostly have to deal with.

I use Schmidt und Bender - mine are about 15-20 years old, but superb, I'd hate to pay current prices.
Good choice...I prefer Zeiss though. You can´t go wrong with either of them however, as well as Kahles or Svarowski.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I've always noticed this huge difference between what is considered a good scope in Europe Vs. North America.


Continental European hunting mostly takes place during low light conditions (Deer) or even at night (Fox/Boar ), while in America hunting is often done in broad daylight, where poor light transmission and optical quality does not have as severe an impact...I guess that also reflects in the most common scope sizes. For standard hunting applications, the American favorite 3-9X40 is close to useless at least under the conditions which I mostly have to deal with.

I use Schmidt und Bender - mine are about 15-20 years old, but superb, I'd hate to pay current prices.
Good choice...I prefer Zeiss though. You can´t go wrong with either of them however, as well as Kahles or Svarowski.


Not quite the point I was actually making. I am well aware of continental Hunting methods, I have hunted deer and boar in mainland Europe. Here in the UK conditions for hunting deer - especially in Autumn/Winter in Scotland owing to reduced daylight hours - require much low light work. My point was more one of comparative cost and quality.

[California Joe]

I know what you meant DW. It's true. Most hunters I know would go for a moderately priced Leupold and consider that expensive. I also know lots of people that hunt with iron sights or scopes bought from Cheaper than Dirt or Sportsmans Guide that cost about 50 dollars. Course most of the people I know that hunt do not have much money so they use what they can afford.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I agree with you CJ - I think another huge factor between Europe and North America is that a far larger proportion and cross section of the population hunt in North America. Top-end US scopes are available here and are used by some guys, but the major European manufacturers such as Zeiss, Swarovski, Schmidt und Bender have the lions share of the market, and Kahles, Doctor Optik and a couple of others take up the slack.

What is interesting to note however, is that in Europe you will often find as superb scope on top of a relative clunker of a rifle such as those touted as own brands by top retail chains - often re-stocked/barrelled K98s for example, in comparison to fairly up-market US rifles with relatively (in European terms) low priced scopes.

[Indiana Jones]

My point was more one of comparative cost and quality.
I guess that is just the point, given I have understood you correctly. Excellent transmission/optical quality, etc. is the conditio sine qua non for a scope in Europe to be even useful, which in turn is of course vastly more expensive and thus shaped the image of "quality" quite differently from the US of A, where daylight conditions are prevalent and the main criteria for a good scope are ruggedness and repetitive accuracy, which is less demanding and costly to archieve.

I am well aware of continental Hunting methods, I have hunted deer and boar in mainland Europe. Here in the UK conditions for hunting deer - especially in Autumn/Winter in Scotland owing to reduced daylight hours - require much low light work. My point was more one of comparative cost and quality.1 Hour Ago 11:16 AM
May I inquire where you have been ? I met some Americans around the Rhein/Main Area who were mostly after Roe Deer, but never any Brits.

[Indiana Jones]

Argh, I am way too slow in English...:-(

What is interesting to note however, is that in Europe you will often find as superb scope on top of a relative clunker of a rifle such as those touted as own brands by top retail chains - often re-stocked/barrelled K98s for example, in comparison to fairly up-market US rifles with relatively (in European terms) low priced scopes.
Too true. I guess you are referring to Frankonia and the likes. In my opinion, this approach makes way more sense however.

[DeltaWhisky58]

May I inquire where you have been ? I met some Americans around the Rhein/Main Area who were mostly after Roe Deer, but never any Brits.

Mainly in the area just to the south of Bonn. I have a good friend in that area.



Too true. I guess you are referring to Frankonia and the likes. In my opinion, this approach makes way more sense however.

Yes, got it in one!

[LA_Operator]

any scope recomedations? I am using winchester supreme ballistic silvertip ammo.

For where you reside, a Leupold will do just fine. I have one mounted on my Remington 710, and have not had an issue with bringing anything down (1 x 190 pointer, 1 x 160 pointer, 3 x does, 7 x hogs). If you are hunting between Alabama and Tejas, the only thing you should ever change is the magnification when it gets closer to dusk.

[oldsoak]

Have a look at Cabelas - you can pick up Meopta Artemis - a good solid scope for under 500 bucks, ditto Nikons . You can of course keep a fellow Yank in a job by buying Leupold - and getting it getting it serviced is going to be easier, - go for the best you can afford. Dont stick a cheap scope on any rifle. One rule of thumb thats often bandied about is rifle and scope should cost roughly the same. You only have that one shot that means the difference between bust or brag, so dont loose out with a cheap scope. Happy hunting !