Help: Ultra light Acuracy

K

k in AR

New member
I just Purchased a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight ( 30-06 ) and have a question.

While the Gun is light & the machine work is really sharp, Accuracy just doesn't make the mark! I'm only getting 2 to 2 1/2 inch 3 shot groups, from the bench, at 100 yards, using Federal Premium 165gr Sierra Gameking loads. Even my "cheepest" rifle will out shoot this.

I'm leaning toward blaming the stock, but I just can't put my finger on the exact cause. Has anyone had any experience with the Weatherby ULW that might give me some ideas to work with. I sure hate to UPS a rifle until I know for sure that it isn't something that I have missed or can easly be corrected.
* Shoot I hate to UPS anything do to their anti-gun stance!
Thanks, k
 
Hey k in AR, Occasionally a centerfire rifle can be as pick about what ammo it likes as much as a rimfire. I agree that the Federal Premium ammo is normally some of the best on the shelf. But, I'd encourage you to try a couple of boxes of different brands prior to giving up on the rifle.

I've only handled a handful of the Weatherby Ultra-Lites, and was impressed with the stock-to-receiver match up. But, I guess you could have gotten an exception. Be sure to check the screws holding the scope bases to the receiver. I still like to use a bit of Blue Loc-Tite on those screws even if they are the Torx style that say you do not need it.

I'm at a point in my life that I need/like a bit more power in the scope than a lot of folks. You didn't mention the scope, but if it is a lower power job, it might be difficult to detect when the crosshair is in the exact same spot from shot to shot. I also like shooting at the corner of a black square rather than a circle when using a scope. For me it is just more accurate to align the verticle and horizontal crosshairs with that corner than guessing when I'm properly on a circle.

One of my buddies got a Weatherby Ultra-Lite in 308Win earlier this year and it is one of the most accurate and user frendly Weatherby rifles I've seen. It easily shoots under MOA with a good many different factory loads.

Good luck as you work through the problem.

Good hunting and clean 1-shot kills, Hot Core
 
Hot Core,

Thanks for the reply, You bring up some good points that I need to check & re-check. I have also checked 3 styles of 180gr bullets, the 165 shot the best. However they have all been Federal Premium offerings. I'll pick up another brand or 2 Monday. I'll also get a box of 150s to try.

I always figure that I'm the weak link in the accuracy of any gun. But this one has just defied me from the get-go.
BTW: the scope is a Leupold 1.5x5 VXIII. I know what your saying about power but I print targets that align the cross-hairs with the center, plus I used this scope on a 308 with excellent results.

I have also written Weatherby, but I fear that there only responce will be to send it in & I HATE having to return new stuff to get something corrected that should have never passed their QC in the first place. This is another reason that I hope it is me & not the rifle! Plus as I said in my first post, I really dislike supporting that anit-gun UPS company.
Once again, Thanks
k
 
Dunno how much is just Mr. Weatherby, and how much is just that particular gun. You might check whether the barrel is free of contact with the wood of the forearm of the stock.

If it isn't, make it so. If it is, or after you get it free-floated, try a wax paper shim to just barely have an interference fit, out at the front of the stock. That will act as a vibration damper and make things more uniform from shot to shot...(About a five pound pull to get enough separation between barrel and wood to insert the shim.)

Best luck, Art
 
I have a Wby Ultralight .30-06 that will shoot Hornady custon 150gr bullets into 3/4" at 100 yards. I think it shot the heavier bullets worse, and it HATED Federal Premiums.

If other bullet selections and weights don't help, you might try loosening the action screw in front of the trigger guard, on the bottom of the stock. I think I recall reading a magazine article that suggested this "cheap fix". Good luck with the gun.
 
Hi
My 2 cent. Take a really good look at the crown, Preferably with a 10x OptiVisor or it's equal. Or have it recrowned just 2 be sure. Recently I recrown my Model 7. Groups shrank in half. Recrown my Colt Pony groups improved by a third. Needless to say I am convinced.

Best Regards
SamN
 
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