I've had for years, a little mauser truck gun that has never delivered accuracy any better than a typical AK 47, which is to say about 4 moa +/-.
Now part of the issue is it's equipped with a 2 3/4 x german 3 post scout scope which is very good for it's intended use, but not so good for accuracy testing. I have however, used it on a 6.5 swede with good results so I never believed it was the main problem.
Recently, the bulb slowly came on in my head and I decided to do a thorough investigation. What I found was a tremendously long leade. How I missed it before is beyond me, I should have known it before I ever had the smith screw the barrel on my action, nevertheless it got by me.
Measuring from a point where a round nose Hornady bullet engages the rifling, then to the bolt face, I have 3.32". That meant that a lot of the lighter weight 140 grain bullets I tried were completely out of the case before they entered the rifling. Not good for accuracy I can tell you from experience.
The load I've settled on now uses a Hornady 154 grain round nose and it does just manage to reach the rifling before the base clears the case. Accuracy is much improved and I now have a truck gun that's more useful to me.
I guess the reason for my post is just cautionary and perhaps unneccesary for most of the members here, however, for others maybe it can be a reminder to do all your due diligence before investing a lot of time and money on a project gun. Had I done so, I could have saved myself a whole bunch of bullets and powder.
Now part of the issue is it's equipped with a 2 3/4 x german 3 post scout scope which is very good for it's intended use, but not so good for accuracy testing. I have however, used it on a 6.5 swede with good results so I never believed it was the main problem.
Recently, the bulb slowly came on in my head and I decided to do a thorough investigation. What I found was a tremendously long leade. How I missed it before is beyond me, I should have known it before I ever had the smith screw the barrel on my action, nevertheless it got by me.
Measuring from a point where a round nose Hornady bullet engages the rifling, then to the bolt face, I have 3.32". That meant that a lot of the lighter weight 140 grain bullets I tried were completely out of the case before they entered the rifling. Not good for accuracy I can tell you from experience.
The load I've settled on now uses a Hornady 154 grain round nose and it does just manage to reach the rifling before the base clears the case. Accuracy is much improved and I now have a truck gun that's more useful to me.
I guess the reason for my post is just cautionary and perhaps unneccesary for most of the members here, however, for others maybe it can be a reminder to do all your due diligence before investing a lot of time and money on a project gun. Had I done so, I could have saved myself a whole bunch of bullets and powder.