I mounted a Mueller APV scope on the 5200 today and took it out just to get more rounds down the tube to better break in the barrel.
I worked on one small spot on the bedding I was not happy with and soft lapped the barrel with some JB Bore Shine last night.
The barrel looks like a million bucks just looking down it. I not longer have my bore scope.
Anyway, I went out and shot it with the cheapest Remingtom ammo I had, I think it was $19. a brick.
The darn thing was shooting 1/2" groups with the crap ammo for the most part.
The wind was 5 to 15 MPH, crossing and I had a bag in my rest that was to skinny for the forend, so it was not the best of conditions, but I was not planning on shooting groups.
I cleaned the barrel evey 50 rounds, put about 150 rounds through the barrel, then switched to Dyna point. The groups tightened up even more. I cleaned the barrel again and tried some Automatch. The rifle really liked it. When the wind slowed, I'd hold on the X in the 10 ring and put one right through it. I had groups in the .3" and .4" depending on the wind, it was gusting pretty badly, some much smaller, several with one very small ragged hole for about 3 shots out of 5.
I'm not much good in the wind, but I think this gun will be a shooter when I have it set up right.
I also tried some Wolf MT, groups were not that good, it seamed to prefer higher speed ammo. I was shooting at 50 yards.
I've got about 400 rounds max through it now. I've got a pretty badly messed up back, I have my real good shooting days, my so-so days and bad days, today was a so-so day, that's why I was even more impressed.
Future plans are to have the trigger worked for a pull well under a pound, that will help a lot and to re cut the crown.
I think once it's broken in, the trigger is done and I have my bench set up for the rifle, it's going to be a sweetheart.
I was quite impressed. The cheap ammo looks like a shotgun out of my Savage MKII, but it's ammo sensitive, that is why I was so surprised with the groups. Every group I shot with the Auto Match was in the 10 ring, some not by much, but they scored 10's on every shot the last target of 10 bulls I shot. The more rounds down the tube, the better it shot. I think by 700 or 800 rounds, it should be at it's best.
Thanks for the tips guys. I'll get some targets posted once I get her set up right. I think this is going to be the best $250.00 rifle I've ever bought, NIB even. They are a fantastic rifle for the price. Of course now I'm going to have to save for a nice model 12. I like the US rifles a lot and have a few others.
My best, John K
I worked on one small spot on the bedding I was not happy with and soft lapped the barrel with some JB Bore Shine last night.
The barrel looks like a million bucks just looking down it. I not longer have my bore scope.
Anyway, I went out and shot it with the cheapest Remingtom ammo I had, I think it was $19. a brick.
The darn thing was shooting 1/2" groups with the crap ammo for the most part.
The wind was 5 to 15 MPH, crossing and I had a bag in my rest that was to skinny for the forend, so it was not the best of conditions, but I was not planning on shooting groups.
I cleaned the barrel evey 50 rounds, put about 150 rounds through the barrel, then switched to Dyna point. The groups tightened up even more. I cleaned the barrel again and tried some Automatch. The rifle really liked it. When the wind slowed, I'd hold on the X in the 10 ring and put one right through it. I had groups in the .3" and .4" depending on the wind, it was gusting pretty badly, some much smaller, several with one very small ragged hole for about 3 shots out of 5.
I'm not much good in the wind, but I think this gun will be a shooter when I have it set up right.
I also tried some Wolf MT, groups were not that good, it seamed to prefer higher speed ammo. I was shooting at 50 yards.
I've got about 400 rounds max through it now. I've got a pretty badly messed up back, I have my real good shooting days, my so-so days and bad days, today was a so-so day, that's why I was even more impressed.
Future plans are to have the trigger worked for a pull well under a pound, that will help a lot and to re cut the crown.
I think once it's broken in, the trigger is done and I have my bench set up for the rifle, it's going to be a sweetheart.
I was quite impressed. The cheap ammo looks like a shotgun out of my Savage MKII, but it's ammo sensitive, that is why I was so surprised with the groups. Every group I shot with the Auto Match was in the 10 ring, some not by much, but they scored 10's on every shot the last target of 10 bulls I shot. The more rounds down the tube, the better it shot. I think by 700 or 800 rounds, it should be at it's best.
Thanks for the tips guys. I'll get some targets posted once I get her set up right. I think this is going to be the best $250.00 rifle I've ever bought, NIB even. They are a fantastic rifle for the price. Of course now I'm going to have to save for a nice model 12. I like the US rifles a lot and have a few others.
My best, John K
