Accuracy Issues? Here Are Some Possible Solutions for Your Barrel

1. New Barrel Fouling - Brand new barrels can have micro-burrs in the rifling that will cause a lot more fouling than what will occur after the barrel has been broken in. THE BEST product for removing this early fouling (and also breaking in your barrel) is J-B Bore Paste. If you haven't cleaned the barrel with J-B Bore Paste, do that. And it doesn't matter if you've cleaned the barrel with something else. Nothing works like Bore Paste.

1a. Freshly Cleaned Barrel - Residual solvents and lubricants will cause inconsistency in your rifle bore which will cause inconsistent accuracy. You may have heard the term "fouling shot". In modern centerfire rifles, its not so much to foul the barrel as it is done to just burn off residual solvents and lubes and settle it down to a consistent condition. For example, its a good idea when you are sighting in your rifle for a hunting trip to leave the bore exactly as it was after your last sight-in shot. Don't clean it. Leave the bore in the same condition as it was for your last shot... That way, the next shot should be sighted in and just as accurate as the last sight-in shot. Certainly you should clean and lube your barrel before putting it away for the season. But if you are testing ammunition for accuracy, don't do it on a freshly cleaned barrel.

2. Ammunition - If you are using hand loads, STOP. Test your barrel with factory loaded ammunition. Preferably 3-4 different brands... And clean the barrel with Bore Paste before and after you test each brand. Hand loads may have any number of issues that make them incompatible with your barrel... Too tight or too loose headspace, too hot or too light of load, too tight or too loose of bullet seating depth, etc. Factory loaded ammo complies with industry standards from SAAMI. Factory loaded ammo can often group 1.5" or better*. And if that's what you get out of it, your rifle and/or barrel has nothing wrong with it in the accuracy department. *Not all can do this so. It still takes good marksmanship. Try 3-4 different brands.

3. Over-Use of Fire Lapping Bullets - We have seen barrels that were literally ruined by fire lapping bullets. Do not use fire lapping bullets on ANY rifle barrels IMHO. You will void the warranty if you use them on our EABCO Accuracy Barrels.

4. Sights - Don't bother shooting test groups with open sights. That is a skill that takes a lot of practice and you don't need to throw another variable (open sight skill) into your accuracy testing. Use a good scope set for at least 9-12X magnification.

5. Rifle Scope - The better you can see the target, the better you can shoot. But there can be problems with scopes. Mounts must be solid and straight up and down with the vertical position at which you are hold the rifle when shooting. Mounts and scope must not be touching anything... Like the scope objective tightened against the barrel. The scope must not move from one shot to the next. Magnification must be such that you can see well enough to aim precisely... I say no less than 9X - 12X. And last but not least, Parallax Error must be dialed out completely for the distance you are shooting.

6. Rifle Rest - Shooting from a rifle rest is a skill you have to acquire from actual shooting. As a hunter, I prefer to use a Harris Bipod with the "S" feature so I can CANT the rifle side to side to square the cross hairs with the target for each shot. I rest the rubber feet on two pieces of cardboard with wax paper sandwiched between... This allows the rest to move freely and not incur stress as I line up the shot. I rest the butt stock on a sandbag and secure it for the shot by pinching it between my fingers. And finally, I try to squeeze the butt stock into my shoulder with the same amount of pressure for each shot.

7. Target - You have to have a target with marks that allow you to aim at precisely the same 1/32" of an inch spot every time. Pop cans, swingers, paper plates, etc. are a waste of ammo if you are trying to shoot groups for accuracy. The target should be level, so that you aren't canting the rifle when you shoot. Also, you must mount the target so that it doesn't move. If it is swinging in the breeze for example, the aim point will move out of the bullet path in the time it takes the bullet to get there.

8. Accuracy Expectations - Our barrels/rifles are built technically to shoot every bullet thru the same hole. HOWEVER, they are test fired for function only, and are not accuracy tested. Accuracy Proof Testing is a service that adds unnecessary cost to the price you pay for a barrel. Figure trips to the range, reloading, etc at $65 and hour, and you can see how expensive it can get. We DO offer it as an extra service for a price starting at $250. And it basically is doing everything in the list above. If you order Accuracy Proof Testing, it will include targets and possibly load data. If you have a concern with the accuracy of an EABCO brand barrel or rifle, and it can't be worked out by phone (or by the suggestions above), you can send it back here for evaluation. If there is a problem we will fix it at no charge - if there is no problem and the barrel/rifle shoots properly, you'll get it back with test targets, load data or factory ammo used, and a charge for Accuracy Proof Testing.