free floating and accuracy

[pocketshaver]

Well modern dictate is a free floated barrel.

With most of the milsurps from ww2 and before using barrel bands and nose caps, that kept the barrel rigid in the stock, say 91/30 and enfield, that had "sniper grade accuracy".

How does the modern free float convention actually work out in your opinion?

THeir are a lot of pre 1900 carbines and rifles with solid nose caps that lock the barrel in place, that deliver good accuracy that beats MOST rifled shotguns using sabots.

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[Woodsy]

Free floating barrels improves accuracy in some rifles, but far from all. It is dependent upon barrel shape and dimensions, as well as the rigidity of the action. From a military perspective, free floating requires a rifle design that retains its overall strength from components other than the barrel, for example the AR15 system with a strong fore-end (which is still a mite fragile). Mounting bayonets, grenade launchers, etc. all affect the barrel resonance and affect accuracy. The military need a rifle that is primarily reliable and sturdy before accuracy is an issue. Precise, pinpoint accuracy is not attainable under combat conditions. Only sniper rifles have the need for such performance and they are designed accordingly.

[pocketshaver]

sniper rifles of the mosin 91/30 family were just taken off the assembly line when that individual rifle out shot "accuracy standards" when test sighted.

[Woodsy]

sniper rifles of the mosin 91/30 family were just taken off the assembly line when that individual rifle out shot "accuracy standards" when test sighted.

Yes, that it pretty much normal for WW2 sniper rifles. The No 4 T's were certainly made from rifles that showed above average grouping.

[Gil Boyd]

It really is a combination of many factors with the floating rifled barrel as the tube that projects the round as its "mouthpiece" so to speak.
In the last 20 years manufacturers have really come on leaps and bounds in trialling various combinations and selecting the right round for that build to fire and succeeded IMHO, they are like most SUV's now............all of a muchness and similar in their design!
Reliability is what its all about so give me a good old Mauser action anytime!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Tried sighting in a Ruger 17 HMR with very poor results. After determining there was contact between the barrel channel and the barrel I simply relieved the channel with a dowel and sandpaper. The gun now displays outstanding accuracy.

[pocketshaver]

its an old skill with the 91/30 using folded up news paper and even photographic negatives to shim the barrel in the stock for grouping.


its just a conversation point with all the mauser carbines, and other flavors of rifle, that had nose bands that captured the muzzle. And yes I do have a thing for that nose band....