Browning Xbolt 7mm RM only groups well when hot

Utahman

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I bought a browning xbolt 7mm RM about a year ago. I have never really been able to get it to shoot consistently. I've tried lots of different factory loads and none have grouped well. Hornady, federal, nosler. I started working up a load for the gun and in the last month have found a couple loads that the gun likes. (When hot). 168 grain Berger VLD with 65 grains of 7828 or RE22. After shooting the gun 4 or 5 times the gun will shoot these loads in inch sized groups at 200 yards. When the gun is cold these are over 4 inch groups. I assumed the gun isn't bedded properly and took it apart. The bedding compound was touching the barrel so the gun isn't technically free floated. I started sanding as you can see in the pictures but stopped because I didn't know where I should stop or if I was truly doing the right thing. I would love to hear more opinions. Thanks in advance.
 

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Here are several groups I shot at 200 yards. At the end of one of my last shooting sessions I shot one of these groups with. I loaded the same bullets again and went back several days later and the same load couldn't even be called a group with a cold barrel
 

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I would sand anything off from tip of stock to recoil lug.....then your barrel will be free floating. Also make sure you have the correct torque for your action screws. Easy way to check is put gun together and torque bolts, run a dollar bill down to the recoil lug if it goes all the way you should be good. you can use thicker paper if ya want to create more space.

Also, are you fully cleaning your gun after each shooting session??
 
I feel it depends of the diameter the barrel. Thin wimpy barrels need about 50 percent bedded and 50 percent floated. The thin barrel will not give you good groups when free floated.
 
File down the bedding at the recoil lug and then bed it for three inches down the barrel.
 
Also, R22 especially is not temp stable, so your hot barrel/chamber could be increasing velocities/pressure, changing your groups for the better. Switch to a temp stable powder, run a ladder, and see what that does for you. H1000/Retumbo, or 7977/8133 might be good choices.

After you take care of the bedding issues, of course.
 
I have a Browning X-Bolt Hells Canyon 7mm mag. I found, in this gun, the right mix was H1000 and 160gr pills. I use Nosler partions. It shoots well cold, warm and opens up a tad when hot. I know at some point the twist rate was changed depending on year, so take that in consideration.

My barrel is free floated (dollar bill) all the way.
 
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They are all bedded like yours, at least all the ones I have owned and presently own. My to favorites are very good (sub .5") shooters and have the sporter 26" barrels. You don't want to bed the barrel or any portion of it. You should have a bit of bedding forward of the rcoil lug though... where you ground yours away. I would seek help and have a knowledgeable friend or gunsmith rebed it for you.
 
Yup mine prints the Noslers great.
Ag9Jww3.jpg


I didn't have to futz with the rifle at all.

Literally a mule deer smashing machine.
 
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