M1917 shoots left?

[Boh]

Just picked up an M1917 Eddystone today. Rifles looked to be in good condition but is a mixmaster as imported by Century Arms. Took it to the range running a few patches thrunthe bore. Shot at 100 yards using my 03A3 loads (135gr GC lead bullet over 2400 powder), very accurate load that I use for 200yd CMP matches. First 3 shot group from the Rddy stone was nice and tight just below the bullseye. I took a few moments and then shoot another 3 shot group which was about 2 inches to the left of the first group but on the same horizontal line with it. After drinkingq some coffee and thinking about it, I decided to shoot another 3 shot group. This one was further to the left of the second group. Now I'm scratching my head. Took the bolt out and looked down the barrel for any signs of leading but there was none. Tried one more 3 shot group, again further to the left. I checked everything for tighness, sights, action screws, etc and everything was good. I am in the process of giving the barrel a good scubbing and am getting some gunk out of the grooves in the barrel. Any thoughts or suggestions?

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[Wayne T]

I have a No.1 Mk 111 that would shoot higher the warmer the barrel got
pulled it down and found forend wood touching barrel.Sanded back so it just cleared and solved the problem,worth having a look. Hope this helps Cheers

[Patrick Chadwick]

Almost certainly the barrel is binding somewhere in the barrel channel, as already suggested.
BUT it might just be the trigger guard screws slightly loose. I had that happen to me in a competition, and had to aim off more and more! Only discovered the cause afterwards.
Note: do not take account of any staking of the screws. They merely fixed a correct positioning some 90 years ago. The wood has moved since then, so don't be afraid to alter them!

[Chuckindenver]

put the ready rest or whatever its called down..
set up some sand bags, avoid drinking coffee or soda before you shoot. and try again..
iv seen more issues with people that start using shooting vises , rests, clamps ect, rather then take some time and use sandbags, if your not sure how to correctly set up sandbags, ask a range officer for a little help..
doubt you have any isssue with the rifle...

[RC20]

I had my mostly Honest to god Eddystone out and had something similar happen.

As we shoot a variety of bullet weight, types, powders and velocities and I just shoot for the groups. If I find one that it really likes I will dial it in for that and then let the others fall where they will.

The 200 grs were shooting 2" high and a tad to the right.

Switch the 168s and they were 3 inches down and more or less in the middle

We had a break, checked targets, taped the holes etc and then resumed and it was shooting a bit high (no coffee Chuck! (grin)

I do as Chuck suggest shoot off sand bags and use the same rest point.

It pretty much stayed there but moved left or right after each break. My guess is old gun, weather, temp change with overhead heater on and off.

I am finding that I really have to concentrate with this beast (said lovingly of course, there is something about them that just appeal to me) and if I do I can shoot pretty good groups (one clover cluster of 5 at 50 yds). My dads 1903 Sporter that I am using as a bullet tester (it shoots everything pretty well) is easy to get good groups with.

I would just continue to test and play with it and see where it goes.

I do wonder if maybe the gun should be taken out of the stock and in some humid air for a time to soak up some moisture again and then oiled down. 90 year old wood thats been kept dry and loosing moisture all those years. Plump it up as it were so it is not affected as much by changing environments.

And I am in agony on the staked screws. They need to be undone but its never been out of the stock and I am finding myself reluctant to do it. I will but its kind of cool having one that is about like having had it handed to you right out of the factory.

[Boh]

Thanks for all the replies. I should have put a little more info into the first post. First, no rest, shooting from prone with sling. Second, hard to break the coffee habit, 23 years in the service and another 21 in public safety so coffee is second nature. I did take everything apart last night. Cleaned and rubbed down the stock with BLO and 0000 steel wool. Will put on a second coat later today. Took the barrel and cleaned it like I do my black powder rifles, plenty of hot water thru the bore. I got a ton of gunk out of the grooves that the regular gun solvents would not touch. I checked everything again and found that the screw thru the bottom of the sight was in fact 3 turns loose. A small dab of blue lock tite should take care of it. Will put it all back together after the second rub down with BLO and check the barrel channel. Barrel date is 8-18. Looking forward to shooting this in our twice a month CMP shoots although I really like my SC 03A3.

Bo

[Calif-Steve]

I HAD a very nice M1917 with near new 2 groove JA barrel. When cold it was perfect. But as it warmed up the group would climb. I swapped out the stock and hoped for the best. I took it to Perry and sure enough as the match went on, I climbed right off the target. I was just sick and when I returned home I took the rifle to a gunshow and off it went.

[RC20]

Something to watch for on re-barrel of latter years is the cracked receiver issue. They were prone to getting cracked with old barrel removal and then new install would be bad.

Your symptoms would make sense, even if not the case in this case, should be watched for.

[Calif-Steve]

The M1917's will crack. But something of an over-blown issue. Actually rather rare, I've owned over a dozen '17 and have never seen a cracked receiver. I have heard of others having issues with JA barrels.

[Boh]

Okay, checked everything over good, did not find any places where the barrel was touching other then the tip of the stock. Put everything back together and now have to wait for the bullets to get here so I can load some up. I'm hoping they will be here by Saturday so I can use them for our CMP shoot on Sunday. The rifle is looking great after the rub down with BLO. Oh, and it would be nice if it would stop SNOWING! I will keep you posted. Thanks again for all the replies

Bo