Tikka .223 DIY McGowen build won’t group

[HighCascadeHunter]

Adjusted my thread title to hopefully not offend

To clarify, No blame is being placed on Tikka (I love them) just listing the components used and I’m fully aware I have multiple factors that could be causing issues, all of which I am responsible for assembling.

Mostly I was interested in anything noteworthy in my assembly process that could be an obvious culprit. I know guys on here have put together more tikkas than me. So I’m just hoping to learn and maybe there are a couple simple adjustments without sending off the whole rifle or taking it to a gunsmith.

I’m thinking I will take things apart again and check how the action is sitting in the stock. Perhaps reduce my torque on those screws to 55 inch lbs. also I’ll try a few more boxes of factory ammo and shoot some groups, gather some more data, and report back with targets.
Thanks to everyone who has made some suggestions.

 

[Deere_Man]

lol. Maybe you should have gone 1:8?

Load up some 88’s and see what the heck.

 

[atmat]

Was the McGowen a blank or prefit?

 

[HighCascadeHunter]

lol. Maybe you should have gone 1:8?

Load up some 88’s and see what the heck.

Yeah probably, I’ve got some 80’s
Might try those

 

[HighCascadeHunter]

Was the McGowen a blank or prefit?

prefit for t3x

 

[atmat]

prefit for t3x

Have you reviewed this thread? https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/mcgowen-barrel-reviews.280921/

Many people have difficulty with their prefits. The same does not appear true for their blanks.

 

[112Savage]

My money is on bedding or action screw length. A screw binding into the tang or the barrel tenon could give the feeling of torquing to 65in/lbs but actually be binding without pulling the action into the stock. The aftermarket bottom metal could have affected this.
My 300WSM factory tikka was exceptionally picky until I bedded it. Now it’s one of the most tolerant rifles I shoot. I used Devcon into a roughened and degreased factory stock.

 

[waspocrew]

Could just be a shit barrel... once you've checked all the other boxes and there's no difference, I'd be emailing McGowen.