i have a sako hunter left hand 338 mag when I first got the rifle.I worked up a load with 210 nos. par. And it was shoting under 1 inch now some 15 years later I went to the range and it is all over .Any ideas
Cheked and all is tight.It seems my first 2 or 3 shots are close to each other maybe uder 2 inch then the next 2 or 3 are 3 to 4 inches apart and I let it cool between shots.
do you still weigh every powder charge?
Really it sounds like a heat problem , How long since you cleaned the fouling out of the barrell. I mean really cleaned it . How deep are the rifelings are they still ok?
If all else fails try a lead sled we all get shakey in our old age.
Yes I do weigh every one.Well I probably didn't clean it often enough. But after getting a bad group I cleaned it really well with shooters choice. As far as the rifelings go, I don't know how to check. I have shot about 400 rounds since the gun was new.I do use sand bags
I agree with Kansascoyote about "really" cleaning it. Old old copper can nearly become bonded to a barrel. You need to try something with ammonia which is very agressive. (Butchs bore cleaner is one) You let it set for a while then go back in with clean patches. Stay with it until there is absolutely no green. If you are then having same results and all is tight & clean, I would look at different ammo.
A sako that doesn't group well should be a national concern!!
Keep us posted on your results. Would really like to know how it turns out.
not considered. You stated fifteen years had passed. It is very possible
and even highly probably some type warpage in the stock has occurred over this time span. Even a small amount can affect the movement of the barrel when the bullet travel causes barrel oscillation or "whip".
As a suggestion I would free float the barrel and glass bed the stock.
There are compounds you can place on the barrel to see if it is coming in contact with the stock when fired.
Ok after two weeks of 20 below and colder it warmed up.I have glass bed, floated and cleaned the barrel. Today I went and shot the groups are better at just under 2 inchs.Thanks for all the help
Sounds like you may have it under control. Just a comment, I've never considered the partition in the great catagory when it comes to accuracy. I've shot some, used them on a bear hunt in my 300WSM, & load them in a 243 for deer. I know it sounds like you had them shooting good years ago & all. I usually get better group results with Sierra & Hornaday. I guess up there you may need all you can get though if the griz is around.
