541-T Walks point of impact lower as barrel warms up
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:32 am
I recently purchased a 541-T heavy barrel 22 rimfire bolt action rifle off the internet. It's in really good condition with only a few use marks in the stock. I mounted a Leupold VX2 6-18X40 AO scope using an EGW picatinny rail mount and Burris XTR rings. The scope is kind of overkill for a rimfire, but I mainly hunt squirrels in the woods and wanted something that would reach out for those long shots.
I have a 25 yd range at my house so decided to sight it in and put it through a thorough test. I used both Wolf Match Extra and Federal Gold Medal Ultra Match UM22 ammo. After considerable testing I noticed that the first shot out of a cold barrel was 1 - 1.5 inches high at 25yds. Then as I shot it, the impacts "walked" down 1 - 1.5 inches, so that by the time I shot 10 rounds it was dead center where I had it sighted in at.
The other thing I noticed is if I loosened the front receiver screw, the impacts lowered on the target. So I figure that when tightening that screw it pulls the barreled received down into the stock which puts upward pressure on the barrel by the forend. As I loosen that screw, it releases the upward pressure on the barrel, which causes the barrel to move lower and the gun to shoot lower.
I also have a 541-S Custom Sporter and it fires all shots into the same hole, regardless if it's the first shot out of a cold barrel, or the 10th shot out of a warm barrel.
Anyone had this kind of situation from their 541-T and how did you solve the issue?
Thanks,
Rod
I have a 25 yd range at my house so decided to sight it in and put it through a thorough test. I used both Wolf Match Extra and Federal Gold Medal Ultra Match UM22 ammo. After considerable testing I noticed that the first shot out of a cold barrel was 1 - 1.5 inches high at 25yds. Then as I shot it, the impacts "walked" down 1 - 1.5 inches, so that by the time I shot 10 rounds it was dead center where I had it sighted in at.
The other thing I noticed is if I loosened the front receiver screw, the impacts lowered on the target. So I figure that when tightening that screw it pulls the barreled received down into the stock which puts upward pressure on the barrel by the forend. As I loosen that screw, it releases the upward pressure on the barrel, which causes the barrel to move lower and the gun to shoot lower.
I also have a 541-S Custom Sporter and it fires all shots into the same hole, regardless if it's the first shot out of a cold barrel, or the 10th shot out of a warm barrel.
Anyone had this kind of situation from their 541-T and how did you solve the issue?
Thanks,
Rod