SVT-40 Accuracy Follow up Review

[Ridolpho]

Hardlickher: Thanks for sharing all that. It does make sense that tightening the grip of the front band so that it holds the upper and lower guards in precisely the same way shot after shot would help accuracy. With the heating effects I'm wondering if one or both of the guards are tight against the front "lug"? that the lower fits into when cold- then barrel expansion with shooting would loosen the guards and change barrel vibes (similar effect with Garands).
With regard to floating, acc. to the new book by Chumak, the standard was to set them up with up-pressure at forend tip. Free floating is not, apparently, mentioned. However, in an old thread I started I described a test of float vs. up-pressure with the same rifle. Definitely got best results with free floating- honest 2 inch 5 shot groups with iron sights. I have noticed that a number of my refurbs (right out of the crate) were well floated and two probably non-refurbed rifles are very nicely floated so I believe it was utilized at some point by the soviets.

Ridolpho