Should I float my barrel?

[zpearo]

I elk hunt with a Weatherby Vanguard 30-.06 with a synthetic factory stock, and noticed today that the barrel doesn't pass the paper test. I've shot it out to ~480 yards and can hit a 12"x12" plate. I don't expect to take a first shot on an animal further than 400 yd, but would like to feel comfortable out to 600 for a follow-up shot.

I've seen threads on here where people recommend floating barrels to improve accuracy. My gun is as it came from the manufacturer, and I have no experience with gun modifications specifically, but I'm capable with tools and am confident I could do the work if needed.

So my question is, should I float the barrel? I assume that also means I would need to bed the action, correct? And if I know the gun already shoots well out to 480, is there a reason to go through the work or should I leave it as is?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Factory Weatherbys with synthetic stocks are some of the worst I’ve seen for not having a fully floated barrel.

Sanding until contact is relieved as best you can is a good start. Long term, properly bedding these actions has worked for folks for eliminating this issue.

 

[steelheadmike]

Shoot a 10rd group from a similar rest as you would in the field. If you like it, leave it a alone. If not, start tweaking things. Start with action screws, scope rings, bases, etc. Then, decide if you want to go further. It's a deep dark rabbit hole.

You're not going to hurt anything my sanding out the channel, especially if you're getting contact in the forward 2/3 of the forearm.

 

[elkguide]

I float everything. If you're getting contact in a few places, I'd start with a piece of sandpaper pulled back and forth the length of the barrel till there is clearance the entire way. Then shoot it. If you have problems then head down the rabbit hole. If it shoots.... leave well enough alone.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

If it shoots.... leave well enough alone.

The issue is when moving off a bench with rests and moving to actual shots taken in the field... He may not see any impact shifts during "sight in" or "practice", but when moving to the field under stress and in awkward body and gun position, an error can easily be introduced.

Will it be enough to cause a miss on a big game animal? Maybe/probably not, but not something I am willing to risk.

 

[mlevimadden]

The issue is when moving off a bench with rests and moving to actual shots taken in the field... He may not see any impact shifts during "sight in" or "practice", but when moving to the field under stress and in awkward body and gun position, an error can easily be introduced.

Will it be enough to cause a miss on a big game animal? Maybe/probably not, but not something I am willing to risk.

This right here. You might not have a problem if you use the exact same support every time at the range. Throw your rifle on a tree branch for support taking a shot on a hunt or support your rifle in a different position, and you could definitely have an impact shift. Not something I'd be willing to risk either with how easy it is to dremel out a barrel channel on synthetic stocks.

 

[zpearo]

Factory Weatherbys with synthetic stocks are some of the worst I’ve seen for not having a fully floated barrel.

Sanding until contact is relieved as best you can is a good start. Long term, properly bedding these actions has worked for folks for eliminating this issue.

Ok, so I can sand down the stock around the barrel without needing to bed the action?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Ok, so I can sand down the stock around the barrel without needing to bed the action?

I've done this on 3 or 4 Weatherby's with the factory black plastic stock, yes. However, I know of 2 of those guns that were then spot bedded by a smith.

 

[EdP]

My understanding is that mfgs of mid level rifles are achieving and guaranteeing 3 shots in a MOA by having an intentional contact point along the barrel. My wood stocked Vanguard 30-06 also has a contact point about mid-barrel. I have no problem hitting a 12" square target at 500 yds so I am not messing with it. If your rifle isn't shooting to meet your standards then make some changes to see if it will, otherwise I would leave it alone.

 

[zpearo]

After some more digging into old forums, I saw some suggestions of cutting plastic shims from an old credit card and putting them under the action to float the barrel.

So I did that tonight and the barrel is now floating. I'll go to the range this weekend and see how it groups, and if it's garbage now I can just take the shims out and be back to where I was before.

 

[Choupique]

If it's that green weatherby plastic stock, the contact point is there on purpose. It's a flimsy stock, and i think they're built with the contact designed in so that you don't run into the issue of having contact from some positions and not from others. The rifle I had with that stock shot well with the contact.

If it's shooting well, leave it like it is. If it isn't you can try floating it, but make sure you aren't flexing the stock into the barrel when you do shoot.

Personally, I'd get a new aftermarket stock if you aren't happy with it now.

 

[EdP]

If it shoots better floated using the credit card shim I would glass bed it in that position and not rely on a plastic shim in the long term.

 

[Slick8]

I agree that floating is the way to go. It may not improve group size so don't get too hung up on that. What it does is improve POI consistency.

I agree with the above and would bed it to a floated position if the credit card trick works.

If you really like the rifle, I'd ditch the plastic for a better stock. But that's a decision for another day.

 

[Jfjfrye]

Always float the barrel. If you want to bed the action it’s a pretty simple and cheap process. But it’s not a must. You could just float the barrel and put the gun back together. But while it’s apart I’d recommend cleaning and lock tite / paint pen and torquing the action screws to spec. It will and has made noticeable improvements with rifles I own.

 

[zpearo]

Dropping this here so I can find it again later, since this looks like the stock I'll pick if I upgrade

Stocky's Carbon Fiber Hunter Howa 1500 *Factory Seconds*

Stocky's Stocks Afternmarket Rifle Stock Supplier

stockysstocks.com

 

[XLR]

The issue with a non bedded stock is when you get into funky positions that put pressure into different areas of the barrel. I always recommend free floating if you can! If you are crafty then I would just free float the barrel then put 1/8-1/16" of tape around the barrel and bed it. Then you will never have to wonder whether it will help or not.

 

[Harvey_NW]

After some more digging into old forums, I saw some suggestions of cutting plastic shims from an old credit card and putting them under the action to float the barrel.

This will likely induce more issue than it will ever potentially solve, the action to bed contact relationship is very important in a rifle system. I'd also be surprised if it didn't cause feed issues.

 

[zpearo]

This will likely induce more issue than it will ever potentially solve, the action to bed contact relationship is very important in a rifle system. I'd also be surprised if it didn't cause feed issues.

This was a temporary solution to see how the gun likes the barrel being floated. Went to the range this weekend to test, and the gun shoots well floated. Didn't cause any issues.

For a permanent solution, a Stocky's VG2 carbon fiber stock is in the mail on its way as we speak.

 

[RyeWhiskey]

Couldn’t hurt!

 

[huntnful]

Factory Weatherbys with synthetic stocks are some of the worst I’ve seen for not having a fully floated barrel.

Sanding until contact is relieved as best you can is a good start. Long term, properly bedding these actions has worked for folks for eliminating this issue.

I won a weatherby 6.5 PRC and sold it to a buddy. He wanted me to set it up for him. So first thing I did was check the float. There was none. When I took the barreled action out of the stock it almost looked like the stock was designed to bind the barrel in 3 areas along the barrel channel. I was like WTF? I had to sand the absolute hell out of that thing to get it to even slightly float. The torque from the action screws forcing that barrel down against the barrel channel must've been immense. It was so bad it almost HAD to be an intentional design for some reason?