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Posted: 9/28/2009 1:40:51 PM EDT
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I have a Colt Natl match that I would like to improve the accuracy. First thing done was to put in a Jewell 2 stage trigger, then replace the handguard with a Les Baer so as to free float the barrel. I have purchases a Lilja 20" barrel which is not installed yet. What would be the next step? Does replacing the bolt and carrier assy have the potential to significantly increase accuracy?
Thanks, CC |
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Quoted:
You should have a new bolt matched to the new barrel to insure proper headspace. Is your new barrel chambered for 5.56 or .223? How exactly does one "match" a bolt to a barrel? Headspace can be checked with a new barrel & new bolt but it's not necessary. Headspace is set at the factory & not by "matching" a bolt to a barrel. |
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The only time I have bought ammo is when I bought my Les Baer 6.5 Grendel. I bought 500 rnds of Black Hills ammo with it. I put a Nightforce scope on and even a blind guy can shoot nice groups with that. Now I want the challenge of doing it myself rather than letting my greenbacks do the talking. I am confident I can come up with handloads will shoot if my equipment is capable.
CC |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
You should have a new bolt matched to the new barrel to insure proper headspace. Is your new barrel chambered for 5.56 or .223? How exactly does one "match" a bolt to a barrel? Headspace can be checked with a new barrel & new bolt but it's not necessary. Headspace is set at the factory & not by "matching" a bolt to a barrel. Sometimes manufacturers who sell barrels make the offer to sell a bolt that has been checked to ensure proper head space. I have heard of Noveske doing this in the past. |
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There are a LOT of things left that you can do. But you have to weigh the time and expense put into each step with the potential benefit. The new barrel, trigger, and free-float are good ways to get relatively significant improvements in accuracy. There are other things that the benchrest crowd have found to improve accuracy, such as having the bolt lugs worked on to square them up and ensure 100% engagement to further support the bolt during firing. But the improvements in accuracy are going to be much smaller. As others have said, the rifle is only a part of the accuracy. A very good deal of it comes from YOU, and right now, any further improvements to the rifle may be lost in your inaccuracy. Work on your shooting until you KNOW that the rifle is the limiting factor, then proceed with modifications.  |
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Quoted:
There are a LOT of things left that you can do. But you have to weigh the time and expense put into each step with the potential benefit. The new barrel, trigger, and free-float are good ways to get relatively significant improvements in accuracy. There are other things that the benchrest crowd have found to improve accuracy, such as having the bolt lugs worked on to square them up and ensure 100% engagement to further support the bolt during firing. But the improvements in accuracy are going to be much smaller. As others have said, the rifle is only a part of the accuracy. A very good deal of it comes from YOU, and right now, any further improvements to the rifle may be lost in your inaccuracy. Work on your shooting until you KNOW that the rifle is the limiting factor, then proceed with modifications. Very well put. |
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