Consistent flyers in 5-round group

[Q_Sertorius]

The only issue with this is that the groups weren't 3 stacked shots and then two fliers, the first two shots stacked, then the third shot was up to the left, then the 4th shot stacked again, and then the 5th shot went low left.

If the first three had stacked and then 4 and 5 were off I would lean more towards barrel heat up, shooter fatigue, or some other issue but since the 3rd shot was off and then the 4th landed back in the stack thats why I had been leaning towards flinch or scope issue.

Oh, I misunderstood your OP. The devil take that rifle then. I would not sink another round or dime into that rifle.

 

[Formidilosus]

Firing four to ten 3-shot groups at the same target with 10-15 minute breaks every three shots, should answer that question. Obviously, if your first 3-shot group measures 2-4 MOA, you can stop right there! Or you can stop as soon as it becomes clear that your rifle’s cone of fire isn’t acceptable to you.

That’s not how barrel stress works. A non stress relieved barrel will “walk”. That is: it will walk shot in a line away from center, and it will keep walking them in that line as it heats up until it reaches the relaxed state. Then as it cools it will walk the shot back down the same line.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

That’s not how barrel stress works. A non stress relieved barrel will “walk”. That is: it will walk shot in a line away from center, and it will keep walking them in that line as it heats up until it reaches the relaxed state. Then as it cools it will walk the shot back down the same line.

Thanks! Always good to learn something new!

 

[49ereric]

All I every worried about is where the first shot hits with a cold barrel.

 

[Choupique]

Always good to learn something new!

Oh boy, a chance use my college knowledge

Think about a barrel that isnt properly stress relieved as having a piece of metal inside of it that doesnt fit right in the space its in. Its pushing on the metal around it. As it heats up, that one spot grows at a different rate than the rest of the barrel, and the barrel gets crooked. Hotter it gets, more crooked it gets. Impacts "walk" on target as it gets progressively more crooked. As it cools off, it works itself back to straight.

A barrels cross section has to be symmetrical not only in shape but in internal grain structure. Cutting/beating/welding/heating metal introduces internal irregularities in the grain which creates internal stress. Molecules are pushing on the molucules next to themd at inconsistent amounts. Stress relieving a barrel gets all those irregularities out of the steel, aligns the grain structure, And ensures that it expands and contracts uniformly and has uniform hardness/stiffness/toughness throughout its entire length.