Bigboreshooter
Single-Sixer
Made a trip to the range yesterday, when the temp was in the mid 30's. I wanted to check the scopes on my M77RSI 308 and No. 1 RSI 7x57.
I discovered when I bought these guns that the slim barrel contours combined with the full length stocks causes these barrels retain heat longer than on more traditionally stocked rifles. I have to let these guns cool down much longer between shots than my other rifles in order to get decent groups. On warmer days, the barrels stay hot to the touch for several minutes after each shot.
Usually, the first shot goes where it is supposed to, and the second shot will be pretty close after allowing the barrel to cool for a couple of minutes. The third shot usually looks like a flyer, even after allowing the same cool-down time.
Now here's the funny part. Usually, when the groups start to open up, they will start to string vertically with the later shots landing higher and higher on the target. But today, in the cold temps, the vertical strings moved in the opposite direction....with the later shots landing LOWER on the target.
Anyway, both rifles shoot well with a cold barrel, and a followup shot would be on the money as well. But an extened "shootout" would make things interesting.
Here's a typical target from the 308.....the first two shots right where they are supposed to be, but the third shot is off the mark. Average time between shot was about 5 minutes.
Now, here's a target from the 7x57 where I allowed about 15 minutes between shots. Clearly much better.
I discovered when I bought these guns that the slim barrel contours combined with the full length stocks causes these barrels retain heat longer than on more traditionally stocked rifles. I have to let these guns cool down much longer between shots than my other rifles in order to get decent groups. On warmer days, the barrels stay hot to the touch for several minutes after each shot.
Usually, the first shot goes where it is supposed to, and the second shot will be pretty close after allowing the barrel to cool for a couple of minutes. The third shot usually looks like a flyer, even after allowing the same cool-down time.
Now here's the funny part. Usually, when the groups start to open up, they will start to string vertically with the later shots landing higher and higher on the target. But today, in the cold temps, the vertical strings moved in the opposite direction....with the later shots landing LOWER on the target.
Anyway, both rifles shoot well with a cold barrel, and a followup shot would be on the money as well. But an extened "shootout" would make things interesting.
Here's a typical target from the 308.....the first two shots right where they are supposed to be, but the third shot is off the mark. Average time between shot was about 5 minutes.
Now, here's a target from the 7x57 where I allowed about 15 minutes between shots. Clearly much better.
