Not free-float with bipod.

cfishman

cfishman

New member
Rem 700 22-250 bull.
Rifle is factory free float, can pass a dollar bill between stock and barrel.
Did the lead sled the other day and was not happy with my results.
Just checked free float, and rifle is not free float with my harris bipod attached. Bill would not past the first 2". I did loosen the bipod a bit to free float but bipod was to loose then.
How much do you suppose the bipod knocked of the zero on this rifle? Sanding going to remedy this? 20-30mph winds today, will try to bench shot it tomorrow without bipod.
 
The stock may have too much flex and be touching the barrel. That will make a huge change with barrel harmonics. Especially on a sporter barrel.
 
The stock is synthetic. I don't think the front swivel post is interfering with the barrel. I think the stock does have too much flex.
 
Black with gray web sounds like a factory HS stock which is very good, it should have a internal aluminum bedding block. It shouldn't flex with a bipod. Have you checked your action screws. 45-55 inch pounds. Also check the block for any burrs around the recoil lug area. You can sand the barrel channel, but you might be better off to have it skim bedded, which can give you some slight room in the barrel channel.
 
Not a new gun. Will shoot tomorrow without bipod. May have to learn to use shooting sticks. Rifle is so heavy, i need some kind of support.
 
Originally Posted By: cfishman I did loosen the bipod a bit to free float but bipod was to loose then.


I'm not understanding something here. Just loosening or tightening the bi-pod should not free float or un-float your barrel. The bipod should just get tighter or looser on the bottom of the stock. Nothing more.

You got something else going on there.
 
Check the stud, it's likely protruding. Or, just sight in with the bi-pod and go hunting. Of its the same bipod when sighting in and hunting, there shouldn't be a difference in field use vs bench.
 
You don't have enough clearance. The dollar or 100 dollar bill is total BS. At the very minimum you need .040". If either your stock or barrel is flimsy you could need 1/8" or more.
There is an easy test: hold the rifle by the barrel and smack the stock, then hold the stock and smack the barrel. If either makes them touch, you do not have enough clearance.

Jack
 
This is my Rem 700 SPS Tactical (.223) with a HS Tactical stock...I shoot it with bipod, sticks and in a lead sled with no problem of the stock touching the barrel...Mine weighs in at just under 11.5# with the scope...

Rem700SPSa.jpg


Not sure what stock you have, but if it's flexing under the weight of the rifle, you can stiffen it with cutting out some of the reinforcement panels if they are present and epoxying some fiberglas arrow shafts or steel rods in the length between the bedding and the end of the forearm...

Most HS stocks are built to resist this type of problem..

If the stock is touching the barrel, it will affect the harmonics of the barrel as the bullet is fired...

I agree with Jack in his last post, you may just need to take something similar to a Dremel tool and clean out some of the excess to give you more clearance..You just have to be careful that you don't cause more flex in the forearm area....

If you are going to shoot it tomorrow, try shooting it with a sand bag positioned as far back towards the trigger guard as you can...That will eliminate any possibility of the forearm flexing up against the barrel....
 
Just got done shooting..
On the sled with no bipod, still able to slip paper between stock and barrel. Wow what a difference!!! Less than 1" group at 100 yds.
What it was shooting with bipod, almost embarassed to say, was just trying to keep it on paper.
May just move to shooting sticks of some sort. Really cant afford a different stock and am not that gun savy for some of the mods your all talking about.
Thanks for the input guys!
 
Quick update...
I could zero the rifle, but would not hold zero.
The gun had the 2 piece leupold base. I had noticed that the front ring wasnt seating just right. I changed out for a EGW 1 piece base and burris rings (XLR?) It hold zero now and am very happy.
 
Get a 6" piece of 1" PVC pipe and some course sandpaper. Sand to your required size barrel channel. I won't take very long.

Tom
 
Originally Posted By: shanedoggassuming the stock is synthetic, i would add bedding compound to the voids along the forearm....

+1 Great IDEA
 
Originally Posted By: shanedoggassuming the stock is synthetic, i would add bedding compound to the voids along the forearm....



I have done this to two different syn. stocks. It helps some, but glass bedding the recoil lug helps the most with stopping flex. A combination of the two is best.
 


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