Was shooting factory class with a Ruger precision and not doing well. Low and behold, after clamping the gun in a vice, instead of all the errors being ammo or me, turns out the gun was just shooting the best it could. So... out with the old, in with the new.

Fresh out of the box. She'll be getting:

- SWFA 20 x 42 SS Gen 2
- Hawke 11mm dovetail/30mm tube rings
- AREA 419 Improved Bi-pod rail
- AREA 419 Bolt Knob
- ATLAS® BT10-LW17 V8 Bipod

That's it unless shooting dictates something else. To be continued.....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pace40,

Very nice. Looking forward to the range reports.

Nice rifle. Looking forward to see how she shoots.

Do you post targets at 50yards; which reticle in that SWFA 'scope?

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
Do you post targets at 50yards; which reticle in that SWFA 'scope?

Yep, 50 yds. I like the MOA gen2 for rimfire bench. I like the MQ Gen2 for steel and such in my precision centerfires. I had a MQ V2 for centerfire but it was way too busy for me. About 60 years ago, my first scope was simple crosshairs with no other markings. That was what I learned to shoot with. I get confused easily with too much crap to look at.

And I don't get illuminated scopes either. If it's getting dark, I need the target lit up, not the scope.

Almost there. Just need the bolt knob and an ammo delivery (out of Center X). Then we'll run an ammo test to see what she likes, and maybe (if my attention span hasn't collapsed) shoot a target or 2.

Well, rifle is almost done again. I need to get the scope down a little. Lost the sight picture a few times so I didn't bother shooting any targets.

Anyway, once I get it set up, I'll shoot some match targets. Until then, it's pretty obvious she'll be accurate enough for competition. And, I'll have a few different ammos to choose from. I screwed up and grabbed from the wrong box in the upper left, but results are pretty apparent. (circles are 0.75")

Very nice!
As I say, it's good to see some shooting results on a firearms-related forum.

Mine was sent Lapua for lot testing and Center X performed the bet in mine.

I also built another 457 with an MTR barrel, it also prefers Center X and SK Standard plus shoots almost as well at half the price.

quote:

Originally posted by WARPIG602:
SK Standard plus shoots almost as well at half the price.

I was out of SK. Just got a delivery yesterday so I'll try it this week. Just waiting for a set of rings to drop the scope a little. They should be here Tuesday, so I'll get to try the standard plus on Wed.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:

quote:

Originally posted by WARPIG602:
SK Standard plus shoots almost as well at half the price.

I was out of SK. Just got a delivery yesterday so I'll try it this week.

I didn't even bother to bring the SK test target home. Best group was .78" @ 50 yds. The 4 others I shot were almost an inch. This rifle pukes on SK. Looks like Eley Match or Tenex @ about 1060 fps is its diet.

Although I’ve seen it time and again, it still strikes me as odd how 22LR ammunition performs so differently in different rifles.

Before the rain chased me away from the range yesterday, I included two five-round groups at 100 yards from the bench with the T1x and SK. The first four shots were literally one elongated hole about 1/2 inch long, and the fifth opened it up to maybe 0.6". The second was about 1.4 inches, but still not bad for the ammo, and I didn’t feel very comfortable when shooting it so I believe part of that was me.

The thing that gets me is that this is the same SK lot that the T1X was shooting single holes with. I think after the holiday weekend, I'm going to camp out at the range and play with the torque on the action screws. There really is no reason for the CZ to be that much different than the Tikka. I can see a little variance but we're talking almost a full MOA.

I will be very interested in what you find out.
I see discussions about action screw torque from time to time, but have never experimented with it. In fact, because the screws of my Tikka are so tight I decided not to remove them to allow me to adjust the trigger pull. It's shooting so well for me, "Will I screw something up?"

On the wooden OEM stocks most seem to shoot best at around 20 in.lbs. In testing I'd start at 15 and adjust 2 in lbs increments. You are mainly looking to eliminate vertical stringing.

Has anyone here experimented with Bolt or Barrel shims in the CZ 457? Did they help tune the barrel to specific ammo?

I'm seriously considering buying one of these to play around with.

quote:

Originally posted by djpaintles:
Has anyone here experimented with Bolt or Barrel shims in the CZ 457?

Not yet, but if this action torque doesn't work out, it'll get an MDT chassis and a Lilja barrel and I'll just shoot factory class with the Bergara that's still stock. I'll play with headspace then. Patience for this kind of crap is not one of my strong suits.

quote:

Originally posted by got2hav1:
On the wooden OEM stocks most seem to shoot best at around 20 in.lbs. In testing I'd start at 15 and adjust 2 in lbs increments. You are mainly looking to eliminate vertical stringing.

Thanks! I'm still not getting a perfect cheek weld so it may end up with a new chassis anyway. Not a fan of strap on risers. I do want to see if action torque does make a difference though.

I picked one up this morning. Looks like bedding the rear recoil lug might be a good plan. Has anyone bedded theirs yet?

Well, I played with the action torque. After running up from 15 in/lbs., the group average of 3 - 5 shot groups began decreasing at 20 in/lbs. and started increasing significantly after 25 in/lbs. Groups leveled off at about 22 in/lbs. at 0.42” - 0.51” with the same lot of SK Standard Plus. I’m sure it would do better with more consistent ammo.

After completing this exercise, two things became clear. Action torque does have a sweet spot, and, I am done trying to get comfortable over this stock. My face to shoulder ratio just plain doesn’t fit. Too bad because it really is a good looking stock.

Since using this rifle for its intended purpose of shooting ARA Factory Class is officially out the window, it seems like a good candidate for a custom build. Not sure which way I’ll go but it will probably involve a Lilja barrel, Timney trigger, and somebody's adjustable chassis. This presents a slight funding challenge, and it may take a little creative accounting, but I’ll post again when she’s back up and running.