Odd POI shifting

[Grunt-N-Gobble]

I have a Weatherby XP 307 in 7PRC. Using my handloads, my 1st 2 shots will hit close together usually if I do my part. I'm not shooting fast. Then, from shots 3 to 4+, the impact starts to shift to the right. And after letting the barrel cool down the impact location settles but the shift remains to the right.

It was suggested that I bed the stock, so I did the front lug area. The fit is snug, no side-to-side or front to back movement. The manual says 55in/lbs front and back and that is what I did before bedding. But this time, I torque the front down to 55in/lbs and the rear to 35in/lbs but the issue remains.

Any suggestions or thoughts? I'm going to contact the dealer tomorrow to get his response because he said to call him 1st if I'm having a problem.

 

[steelheadmike]

How big is the shift?

Is there any barrel contact? A difference if you change front support (bags vs bipod, etc)?

 

[Grunt-N-Gobble]

How big is the shift?

Is there any barrel contact? A difference if you change front support (bags vs bipod, etc)?

Shift is 1-1/2" to 2"
No barrel contact.
Using same support bags front/back

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

Is the stock already generally “free floated”?

Wood or synthetic?

When you set your action in the stock after bedding the front lug, is there and back to front play between the two action screw points? You may want to bed the rear action screw too if there is.

Then just make sure that when you tighten the action screws you’re going slowly back and forth and tightening them down evenly. I’ve seen different opinions on that, but it’s logical and that’s how the majority of shooters do it.

If all of that is solid, and you’re sure it isn’t you doing something different, then it’s likely just your barrel having uneven stress relief/expansion when it heats up.

 

[Grunt-N-Gobble]

Is the stock already generally “free floated”?

Wood or synthetic?

If all of that is solid, and you’re sure it isn’t you doing something different, then it’s likely just your barrel having uneven stress relief/expansion when it heats up.

Synthetic stock & no movement.

It very well could be a barrel issue. I'm not the greatest shooter but no slouch either. This has been very frustrating as I have not had gun issues before.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Horizontal stringing is usually shooter induced.

Have someone else shoot the rifle to see if the issue is reproduced when they do it.