Huskavarna 7mm mag

[marioq]

I have an Imperial 7mm that does not shoot well AT ALL!!! I was thinking about keeping the action and having the barrel and stock replaced. I hear that the 7mm mag is a really great long range weapon and I think the the action is not a bad action.... What do you all think??? what would be a good idea... All takers please!!!! No holds barred... If you think I am stupid for doing this, tell me and I will just keep it as a collectors item so to speak.. Not sure it is collectable.... other than collecting dust!!!!hahahahha
Thanks!!!!

Mario

 

[thehulk]

Well, be a little more specific when you say "doesn't shoot well at all."

First thought for me would be, what rounds are you using. I'm not even close to as knowledgeable as most on here, so I may be ****ing in the wind. Either way, I'm interested in knowing what you shoot for ammo.

I have a Mossberg 4x4 7mm RM and its fairly consistent with Federal 150 Soft tip. I don't have a bench-rest or gun rest. But I've shot a .9'' 3 shot pattern at 200 with the cheap stuff.

 

[marioq]

well, my brother was shooting at a cow elk at about 175 yards, he is a fair to good shot.. First shot went over her back, second shot was below her. Finally gave him my 300 win mag and he nailed her. I was shooting Barnes TTSX. At the range, I had some other bullets , winchester I think, shooting ok. But this was just an ODD example. After, went to the range and at 125 yards I hit the target 12'x12' 1 of 3. So it is not shooting well at all. Brought it to a smith in Albuquerque and he gave it a very quick look.... Barrel fine, action fine scope tight... Didn't have an answer... SO I thought I would look into my options with the gun...

 

[WildRose]

I have an Imperial 7mm that does not shoot well AT ALL!!! I was thinking about keeping the action and having the barrel and stock replaced. I hear that the 7mm mag is a really great long range weapon and I think the the action is not a bad action.... What do you all think??? what would be a good idea... All takers please!!!! No holds barred... If you think I am stupid for doing this, tell me and I will just keep it as a collectors item so to speak.. Not sure it is collectable.... other than collecting dust!!!!hahahahha
Thanks!!!!

Mario

Before I did anything else I'd try to figure out why it's not shooting well as it is.

Is it free floated?

Bedded?

Pillar bedded?

What scope, rings, mounts are you using? Are you sure the scope isn't busted or loose?

Are the action bolts tight and properly torqued?

When you say it's not shooting "well" what exactly do you mean by that?

 

[Jim5351]

If it's shooting as bad as you say, I would start by making sure the scope is good and go from there.

 

[marioq]

Before I did anything else I'd try to figure out why it's not shooting well as it is.

Is it free floated? YES

Bedded? I DO NOT KNOW.... IT IS THE ORIGINAL STOCK FROM 1971.

Pillar bedded? SAMW AS ABOVE

What scope, rings, mounts are you using? Are you sure the scope isn't busted or loose? SCOPE IS A LEUPOLD AND THE RINGS I AM NOT SURE. MY FATHER GAVE THIS TO ME AND HE HAS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ONE... MORE ON THAT IS A SEC

Are the action bolts tight and properly torqued? THE BOLT FEELS TIGHT AND SEEMS TO SEAT PROPERLY.. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CHECK THIS

When you say it's not shooting "well" what exactly do you mean by that?
BASICALLY, IT SUCKS!!!! 2-4 FEET DIFFERENT SHOT PLACEMENT WITHIN 5 SECONDS OF EACHOTHER...

MY DAD'S GUN THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THIS WAS DOING THIS TOO YEARS AGO. HE HAS A NEW STOCK PLACED AND THAT RESOLVED THE ISSUE COMPLETELY... I FIGURED I could do this and true the barrel with a new one and make it better... I haver to talk to a smith about it... also, sorry for the caps... it was to differentiate the questions and answers...

I think, at the end of the day/story, I need a smith that knows more about this that I do in order to resolve it... I might be wrong but just a thought...
Thanks

 

[marioq]

If it's shooting as bad as you say, I would start by making sure the scope is good and go from there.

I think the scope is fine... relatively new and never been damaged... is there an easy way to check this??

 

[FEENIX]

Please take no offense but if you knew it was shooting that badly why was it afield on cow elk hunt ... could have easily injured the cow elk or even worst ... shot at or killed unintended target(s).

Anyways, how does the muzzle/crown looks?

 

[marioq]

Please take no offense but if you knew it was shooting that badly why was it afield on cow elk hunt ... could have easily injured the cow elk or even worst ... shot at or killed unintended target(s).

Anyways, how does the muzzle/crown looks?

No Offense taken.... I shot it with a "light or thin Hide: load and was about 2 inches at 100yrds... Not sure what normal is for a gun like this but knew our shots were going to be under 200 so figured it was ok... The trip to South Dakota may have jarred it and I switched to the Barnes after having not shot them at the range... The 1 of 3 at 125 was done after my brother missed... The previous year my brother hit a bull at 250 with out a problem... So, I did not feel it necessary to work too much on this as it was in the safe the whole year...

The muzzle/crown has some sort of ported holes in it but looks fine... No damage at the end..

 

[FEENIX]

No Offense taken.... I shot it with a "light or thin Hide: load and was about 2 inches at 100yrds... Not sure what normal is for a gun like this but knew our shots were going to be under 200 so figured it was ok... The trip to South Dakota may have jarred it and I switched to the Barnes after having not shot them at the range... The 1 of 3 at 125 was done after my brother missed... The previous year my brother hit a bull at 250 with out a problem... So, I did not feel it necessary to work too much on this as it was in the safe the whole year...

The muzzle/crown has some sort of ported holes in it but looks fine... No damage at the end..

Whew, that's good to know, the 2 to 4 feet difference in shot placement statement prompted me to make the comment.

 

[Dr. Vette]

So it shot fine, then it was transported to a different location and it no longer shot fine. Is that correct?
And you also then tried a different ammo at the new location?

If it went from fine to not fine and the only difference is the transport I'd look at the scope assuming all other screws and attachments are properly tightened. Yes, a scope can go bad that quickly. I have had it this year with a Leupold and Nikon, both only 3 years old and having previously shot exceptionally well. Consider swapping a different scope onto the rifle and see how it shoots. With a difference of feet at 100 yards I don't think it's the rifle itself.

FYI, consider buying an inch-pound torque wrench such as the FAT wrench which is made for firearms work:
FAT (Firearm Accurizing Torque) Torque Wrench Screwdriver

Also, inexpensive and highly useful screwdriver for firearms:
Model 6810 27-Piece Deluxe Screwdriver Set Torx Bits

 

[Jim5351]

I think the scope is fine... relatively new and never been damaged... is there an easy way to check this??

The easiest way I know of to be sure it is not the scope is to try one you know is good. Did the gun shoot good in the past? If so what have you changed? What scope do you have on it? I had a weaver in the mid 70's that always worked well until something came loose from a hard hit and it did the same thing. The scope looked fine and if I didn't know it had taken a hit I would have sworn the scope was fine. Good luck.

 

[WildRose]

Ok bear with me here and I promise no insult is intended.

First problem is that you are a complete novice shooter and most of us are not, so we speak something of a different language.

No amount of stock problems unless it's SEVERELY warped could put enough pressure on the barrel to cause 2-4 feet of spread at less than probably 800yards.

So let's start the easy way.

Take it to a gunsmith, get recommendations on a good one in your area. One that has a shooting range associated with his business would be great.

Get him to check to see if it's floated.

The bolts I was talking about are the bolts that secure the action to the stock, not the bolt that is part of the action. If those bolts are loose or torqued unevenly it can cause a lot of problems.

Proper floating and bedding can work miracles.

I'd also suggest getting the gunsmith to look at the bore and crown and see what kind of shape each of them are in. With one this old there's always a possibility it looks like a rusty old sewer pipe inside and if that's the case nothing short of a new barrel is going to make it shoot right.

Also have him check the scope and mounts.

We've got to start off knowing you have equipment that is in good shape and functioning properly before we can begin to help you with your shooting.

Seriously you sound like someone who would really benefit from some formal shooting instruction.

Get the equipment checked out and have someone look at your shooting technique and my bet is we can do a lot to help you from there.

 

[marioq]

The truth, though sometimes painful to pride, is always the right path!!!
I am a novice and I will do as you recommend. I am not sure of smiths in this area as I am new to the Las Vegas area. I will see if I can find one and get him to look at it.

As for lessons, any ideas??? I want to learn as much as possible about this sport and I am trying to find things on line that are local. I've never heard of gun smith lessons, but it stands to reason you all learned somewhere, somehow. Or, was it just on the job with a master??

I know there are classes on can travel to that are 2-3 days and that is great for shooting and learning good techniques. Is that to hat you are referring?

I will attempt to find someone local an reputable. Otherwise, I'll send it out for a. Look see and, while there, discuss options I guess.

Thanks for the right cross to the jaw!!! Hahaha
Hahaha. I appreciate the input!!