Spike Camp

New rifle for the stable.

BB340

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New rifle for the stable.
« on: September 10, 2024, 09:22:11 PM »
I bought this 2nd hand .257 Wby mag a couple of weeks ago. It came with a Zeiss 2.5-10x44 scope. I worked up some loads using the 100grn Barnes TTSX and several different types of powder. And well just about every load I tried shot absolutely terrible! I'm talking 3-4+ inch groups at 100m. With the exception of AR2217 (H1000) which I manage to get one group just on 1.5 inches. To say I was extremely disappointed would be an understatement.
I hadn't cleaned it before going to the range as it looked quite clean. So anyway, I set about to give the barrel a good scrubbing with some Bore Tech copper cleaner. And when that first patch came out it was bright blue and filthy. I ran several soaked patches through it followed by heaps of scrubbing with a nylon brush. I kept on doing that until after almost 50 patches they finally came out with no sign of copper fouling. I then used some more solvent targeting leading and powder contamination. It took quite a few more patches but they then came out nice and clean.
I didn't really like the Ziess scope that was on it, so I put on a Leica ER5 2-12x50 scope in one-piece medium Leupold lightweight rings and bases. 
So back out to the range with it and it turned into quite a good shooter. The 1st and 2nd shots would always be touching or close to it but then the 3rd would shift about 1/2-3/4 of an inch of to the side. It would constantly do this. But I was happy with it as those first two shots are the main ones that count.
I was also sick of having a safe that was to overcrowded so I bought a new Spika 33 rifle safe just to put most of my Weatherby rifles in so they wouldn't be touching and getting damaged. I am very happy the way my rifles sit in there now.
Aussie gun nut.

Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2024, 09:27:10 PM »
It's amazing how many rifles are sold because the barrels are "shot out".  Many times a good cleaning is all that is required. Something most rifles never see. Great find my friend.

eford

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2024, 09:50:49 PM »
Sounds like the rifle was sold because the previous owner thought it was not accurate. It is good you made the effort to clean out the barrel fouling. Such accuracy with those 100 grain TTSXs is no surprise BUT at least you know for sure.
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danno50

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2024, 10:34:29 PM »
        Glad to hear that you newly purchased rifle (new to you) only needed a good barrel scrubbing to restore it to another great shooting rifle in the stable. Sometimes you just can’t judge a book by it's cover. It is a very nice looking rifle, BTW, thats a great looking safe with lots of room for rifle storage.
DosEquisShooter

224KING

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2024, 01:13:26 AM »
It's amazing how many rifles are sold because the barrels are "shot out".  Many times a good cleaning is all that is required.




Especially the 257 Weatherby
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Grouchy

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2024, 04:50:03 AM »
I clean every gun,new or used before taking out to the range. I also clean and oil every one every 6 months or so. In my all the time damp situation, rust is an enemy!  The Savage 99 was a filthy mess that took a while and some effort to clean up. :)
« Last Edit: September 11, 2024, 04:51:57 AM by Grouchy »

txaggie

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2024, 05:49:05 AM »
ya it's rare to actually find one shot out, people get them and have poor maint habits all the sudden it doesn't shoot as well and they move along to something else. The average joe isn't going to shoot many if any weatherby calibers out just based on the costs of doing so.

Good snag on the ULW 257 and love the safe BB;

PARA45

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2024, 09:07:39 AM »
Good deal BB, congrats on your new Weatherby.  I like the new safe.  BTW, is there a reason why you store your Weatherbys without the bolt?
Senator John Kennedy  " If you support defunding the police, you've tested positive for stupid".

Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2024, 11:27:36 AM »
Nice find! Maybe the third shot moving out just is a warmer barrel? I also pull the bolt out on some rifles because safe manufacturers tend to put the slots a little too close to maximize capacity. I remove the bolts to keep them from bumping/rubbing on the rifle next to them. I put a light coat of oil on and place each one in a zip-lock bag on a shelf.
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PARA45

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2024, 12:09:37 PM »
Nice find! Maybe the third shot moving out just is a warmer barrel? I also pull the bolt out on some rifles because safe manufacturers tend to put the slots a little too close to maximize capacity. I remove the bolts to keep them from bumping/rubbing on the rifle next to them. I put a light coat of oil on and place each one in a zip-lock bag on a shelf.

what a great idea.  Removing the bolt would definitely help with the space in the safe.   
Senator John Kennedy  " If you support defunding the police, you've tested positive for stupid".

BB340

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2024, 06:53:32 PM »
Good deal BB, congrats on your new Weatherby.  I like the new safe.  BTW, is there a reason why you store your Weatherbys without the bolt?


Yeah they just don't quite fit in there with the bolts in. They are just touching one another.
Aussie gun nut.

Grouchy

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #11 on: September 12, 2024, 03:22:15 AM »
Don't get the bolts confused!   ;D

PARA45

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2024, 06:21:48 AM »
Don't get the bolts confused!   ;D

Nope, and I would label them to prevent that.  LOL!
Senator John Kennedy  " If you support defunding the police, you've tested positive for stupid".

224KING

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2024, 06:27:07 AM »
Bees have the SN engraved on the bolt handle.
Retirement; The art of doing very little,very slowly

Expert; Someone who knows so much about so little

If you live in the swirl of the drain,inevitably you'll wind up in the cesspool.

Remember 10534

Sorry... Yesterday was the last and final day for any and all complaints whatsoever.

.257

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Re: New rifle for the stable.
« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2024, 07:12:49 AM »
I like that gun safe, very nice
Mike