Need accuracy help with 03A3

[sv1kSteve]

I received a 03A3 in a sporterized stock then found a correct stock, changed everything out and went to the range. With Greek ammo it patterned at 50 yards. This is from a bench rest from a sand bag, and I can shoot ok so let's assume it is not me.
I don't know anything about these rifles, is there a pattern to tighten up the screws or should they be tightned to a spicific inch lbs. What can I do to get this rifle to shoot assuming it can shoot well. The bore looks good, the trigger is fine. Fun to shoot no question but as someone said, only accurate rifles are interesting. I am hoping some of you experienced guys can help me out before I spend any money having the action glass bedded.

Thanks....
Steve Rodgers

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[Mike D]

Have you tried some different ammo? The bore "looks good", but what does it gage? Exactly what size was the shot group?

[JGaynor]

I received a 03A3 in a sporterized stock then found a correct stock, changed everything out and went to the range. With Greek ammo it patterned at 50 yards. This is from a bench rest from a sand bag, and I can shoot ok so let's assume it is not me.
I don't know anything about these rifles, is there a pattern to tighten up the screws or should they be tightned to a spicific inch lbs. What can I do to get this rifle to shoot assuming it can shoot well. The bore looks good, the trigger is fine. Fun to shoot no question but as someone said, only accurate rifles are interesting. I am hoping some of you experienced guys can help me out before I spend any money having the action glass bedded.

Thanks....
Steve Rodgers

What do the groups look like? Random? vertically strung? Horizontal? How many shots? Did the barrel cool between shots?

[Chuckindenver]

try some other ammo, the Greek stuff is known to have some issues in some Bolt action rifles.

[sv1kSteve]

It was not so much a group as a pattern, like a shotgun pattern. At 50yrds the shots were all over the black. I have not had the barrel gauged, I did allow the barrel to cool between shots.
I had thought the Greek ammo was good, shoots pretty good in my Garand, but I will try some other commercial ammo which is a good thought.
Thanks.....

[Chuckindenver]

as i said, they are known to not work as well in Bolt action rifles.
and seem to work fine in the Garands..thats what they were made for.

[purple]

Assuming the barrel is sound to start with, you should do much better than that. The condition of the muzzle is very important and a re-crowning might be in order if the muzzle is worn, gouged, or puckered. The condition of the throat and degree of barrel erosion is important too, altho I have one which gauges .307 on the GI gauge (just about at the reject limit) and it still prints 4 in groups.
Bedding should be checked as well. First thing to look for is that the recoil lug fits tightly and squarely on the lug seat in the stock. The lug seat can be shimmed with brass or pop can shims as necessary. Next check to see if the barrel is rubbing anywhere in the stock,except for the forend tip,and relieve this area. The barrel should rest centrally in the bottom of the forend tip with about 5 lbs pressure required to lift it out of contact. Some rifles shoot just fine with the barrel floating free of contact here, but you need to check to see if the barrel is in contact with the upper band which is ruinous to accuracy. If you find upper band contact you can shim around the seat for the receiver tang above the rear guard screw to tilt the rifle down in the bedding(kind of pivotting on the receiver lug seat).
The guard screws must also be tight. Turn the front one down "gorilla tight". Make sure the metal bushing which surrounds the rear guard screw is in place as well. One last point on the bedding; the rear tang of the receiver must not be in contact with the stock otherwise it will tend to act as an unintended recoil lug and work against the tight fit of the recoil lug on the stock seat. This condition will inevitably lead to the stock splitting behind the tang. You see this on many stocks.

[sv1kSteve]

Thanks I will check all of that.

[Mike D]

Does the muzzle pass the "bullet test"?

[us019255]

"...as i said, they are known to not work as well in Bolt action rifles.
and seem to work fine in the Garands..thats what they were made for...."

I am not doubting this statement, but find it hard to understand why the Greek stuff would not work as well in a bolt action as it does in a Garand.

If I was told it did not live up to the wonderful accuracy possibilities of a M1903, but you couldn't see the inaccuracy in Garands which are not as inherently accurate I could easily accept that.

Anyway, if someone has more information or can quote an actual test they or someone did I would be interested.