7-08 build

[lovemylegacy]

OK, this is what Ive got. I have matched a 700 Remmy to HS Precision stock that is Pillared and bedded. What should be my next step to increase accuracy? Shooting .75-1 1/8" groups with Fed Prem Partitions.

[bow_nut81]

Hand loads ?

[yanta61]

What trigger do you have?

[Coach W]

A rifle is only as good as the glass that sets on it.

After that I'd look into trigger.

[lodgepole]

OK, this is what Ive got. I have matched a 700 Remmy to HS Precision stock that is Pillared and bedded. What should be my next step to increase accuracy? Shooting .75-1 1/8" groups with Fed Prem Partitions.

Trigger
Good glass
Float the barrel
Bed the action
Hand loads

[Killer]

3/4" group is not bad. You can try handloads, better trigger, custom barrel, better scope. sounds like you already have a good stock. I would start with the cheapest thing i could do to improve accuracy and go from there!

[lovemylegacy]

Xmark trigger, barrel is floated, action is bedded and pillared, I have a low end Vortex and have a new scope in my sights, hand loading is next I guess. I looked into a new barrel, but it was expensive and lengthy turnaround. Good info everyone I appreciate it, more is welcomed if ya got it.

[Coach W]

Xmark trigger, barrel is floated, action is bedded and pillared, I have a low end Vortex and have a new scope in my sights, hand loading is next I guess. I looked into a new barrel, but it was expensive and lengthy turnaround. Good info everyone I appreciate it, more is welcomed if ya got it.

Yup better glass then step up to a timney or a Jewell. Your groups will improve when you can see what your shooting at and are able to touch off a round exactly when you want to.

When building a rifle, especially on a budget I fix the weakest link first, then continue until I'm confident with the firearm... Then I start another project and it just sets in the safe until I get another wild hair

(Sorry about that exclamation mark triangle in the top left corner... I fat fingered the buttons and ended up with it... And now can't remove it. )

[JoseyWales82]

Practice is always good too. form.

I have a really nice rifle setup with lots of those things too and I still suck. I need more practice.

[lovemylegacy]

Yup better glass then step up to a timney or a Jewell. Your groups will improve when you can see what your shooting at and are able to touch off a round exactly when you want to.

When building a rifle, especially on a budget I fix the weakest link first, then continue until I'm confident with the firearm... Then I start another project and it just sets in the safe until I get another wild hair

(Sorry about that exclamation mark triangle in the top left corner... I fat fingered the buttons and ended up with it... And now can't remove it. )

Been saving for a scope, just about there, however dont want more scope than I can operate.

[Cajun Blake]

Xmark trigger, barrel is floated, action is bedded and pillared, I have a low end Vortex and have a new scope in my sights, hand loading is next I guess. I looked into a new barrel, but it was expensive and lengthy turnaround. Good info everyone I appreciate it, more is welcomed if ya got it.

3/4" ~ 1" is very respectable for a factory hunting rifle especially with your aforementioned components

Are you sure it's pillared and glass bedded ? (see pics below)

HS stocks have an machined aluminum bedding block inserted into the stock as I've never seen one pillar bedded before. The bedding block rarely has 100% contact with the action, as I'd recommend skim bedding the action and making sure the recoil lug is bedded with full barrel contact 1-2" in front of the lug.

as others have mentioned, (1) replace the trigger with a Jewell, Shilen, or Timney based on your wallet ....then (2) step up in quality optics that are crystal clear , minimum 16x preferably with a Adj, Objective, and repeatable turrets , (3) lap the scope rings for optimum contact with the scope tube (4) hand load for precision accuracy (5) replace barrel if not satisfied - cost will be around $625

what type of shooting bench, front rest, and rear rest are you currently shooting off of ? If you want repeatable tiny groups, a stable platform with solid rest are pretty important.

Do you clean your rifle, and if so, how often ? and with what cleaning tools ?

Your first shot should always be a "fouler" to season the bore and remove any cleaning chemicals residue, then followed by a 3 or 5 shot group . I shoot my groups based on weather condition (wind) and take my time (2-3 minutes) to shoot the group for size.

I handload at the range with an Oehler 35P chrono using Wilson benchrest hand dies. I load 6-7 rds and shoot a 5 shot group for size. I'm pretty **** and OCD about my rifles and shooting equipment since I'm addicted to precision 1 hole group accuracy .

I don't own any factory rifles, all are custom built to benchrest specifications /tolerances and utilized in a hunting rifle platform.

pillar/glass bedded stock


HS stock w/ machined aluminum bedding block fit into stock


HS stock that has been skim bedded for 100% contact (rear tang area not shown)

[lovemylegacy]

Starting with the trigger, I like the Xmark Pro, mine is down to 2#, about as light as I want to go and it is crisp/no creep. I have an adjustable rest that I can shoot the rifle with minimum contact. The stock I purchased was ordered and labeled as bedded and pillared, priced at over 400, got it on clearance for less.I dont know if I have the confidence to skim a 400 dollar stock....just being honest.I have an older 700 I could practice on, I guess. When I shoot I start with a clean barrel and as you stated, "foul" one off. I shoot 3-5 shots, clean and repeat.Rifle has been broken in using a break in procedure. When I leave the range the rifle stays as is after last shot "dirty". I do not handload so Im shooting factory ammo. The barrel, I have talked to the maker that I liked and he was talking almost a year turnaround so I scrapped that idea. Cajun Blake I really appreciate this, very knowledgeable. Do you think I really need to replace the XMark trigger to hunt with? Any more comments would be welcomed.

[JBJTX81]

Barrel and handloads. There are so many adjustable variables that can truly increase accuracy with a hand loads. Primers, podwer, bullets, depth of the bullet seating. Using the exact same with all of the aforementioned but simply adjusting the depth of a bullets seating a few hundredths of an inch can increase/decrease accuracy by .5". Not hand loading is like giving a fat lady a make over and expecting her head shots to look like those of a 90lb model. Also partitions aren't designed for accuracy. There designed to bring down big game. You'll never unlcok a rifles full potential without handloads...my 2 cents.

[lovemylegacy]

Barrel and handloads. There are so many adjustable variables that can truly increase accuracy with a hand loads. Primers, podwer, bullets, depth of the bullet seating. Using the exact same with all of the aforementioned but simply adjusting the depth of a bullets seating a few hundredths of an inch can increase/decrease accuracy by .5". Not hand loading is like giving a fat lady a make over and expecting her head shots to look like those of a 90lb model. Also partitions aren't designed for accuracy. There designed to bring down big game. You'll never unlcok a rifles full potential without handloads...my 2 cents.

Yea, handloading is probably my next step, however, for whatever reason Partitions shoot great out of my rifle. The worst was Hornadys. The adjustable variables is what gets me, by nature I am not as ****. as alot guys. A lot for my feeble mind to keep track of, how do you do it. I have couple of friends that reload and I still dont know how they do it. I have purchased a Nosler Handloading Manual, my 1st step. Thanx for your 2 cents, I can use it. Calvin

[bboswell]

what other loads have you tried? Neither of our 7-08's would shoot the Fed Prem any better than yours but shoot the Barnes Vortex consistently did considerably better