I fire lapped my Marlin .44 mag this week. I got it all done late yesterday and slipped off from work early today to try it. I shot three five shot groups (numbered picture below) all at fifty yards with a rest.

Group one: I had a good group going and you can see where # 5 landed. The four shots together measure 1 3/8"

Group two: Made a small sight adjustment and put two of those near the bull. Shot three when high and right. I was so disgusted I didn't spot 3 and 4 but you can see one went to the group and another flier.

Group three: Used a differet target and 6 o'clock hold which explains the POI difference. Fired five shots pretty quickly and didn't spot any of them.

What the heck is going on?
I felt good about every one of these shots. I feel certain that had I been shooting my Ruger 77/22 with this much care I would have 15 shots a nickel would cover.

The obvious answer to me is my eyesight and iron sights are not working well together.

I hate to put a scope on this rifle but I may have to just to prove to myself what is actually going on.

Thoughts, comments, derision welcome.

Unless you're eyes are much better than mine (which is highly likely) I'd recommend 25 yards for standard iron sights Once you're comfortable with what's happening there move out further. I'm a big believer in receiver sights. I can't hit a mountain with the standard iron sights but with my Williams FP series sights am quite comfortable at 100 yards.

I'm just getting ready to fire-lap my .444 I need to schedule a day at the range. First order of business is to slug the barrel, but that has me a bit spooked.

If there is any doubt about your sighting, slap a scope on it and see how much improvement there is. That will certainly give you a better picture of what the gun is capable of.

I must have looked ridiculous at the range when I was working up loads for my Marlin 1894 44 Mag. Had a big ol' Leupold 3-9X40 mounted up. Of course now the scope is gone and it sports a set of XS sights.

You might also try to wait a few minutes between shots. My 1894 doesn't mind shooting 5 rounds quickly in a very small group, but a particular Marlin 30-30 that I have will put the first three in a good group but the fourth and fifth are usually nowhere near the others. If I shoot one and wait five minutes between each shot they will all stay in the same small group. Not been too worried about a cure since any deer that would give me more than three shots and still be standing in front of me deserves to see another day. :)

Judging bythe pics, I'd say that is barrel heating. Try, I know this is hard but I tried it with a couple of my lever guns and those groups sucked right up...One shot every ten minutes. I know sounds impossible! I brought my 22 along with me to pass the time or I'd leave the rifle lay and walk down to the pistol booth.

How are your shooting techniques? I can't even begin to count the number of folks I see at the range testing out guns, loads, scopes all in the name of utmost accuracy and they'll sit down at the bench, put a block up front and a sandbag then prop one elbow on the table and start "testing" The only way anyone can see just how accyurate any given firearm is is to properly rest it with sandbags front AND rear. I shoot off a concrete bench at 100yds, have a small riser table (4") then a firm sandbag on top of that, a softer sandbag at the rear under the buttstock, a sandbag under my right elbow and the left hand is tucked under squeezing the rear sandbag that's under the heel of the buttstock to adjust for elevation. Squeeze it to lower line of sight, release pressure on the bag to raise line of sight. Also, never let the barrel touch the bag or whatever rest you are using. Never lean against the bench either and try to keep your weight off your left arm because your chest touching either your arm or the nbench is going to move things with your heartbeat. As was mentioned earlier you must pay very close attention to barrel temps on any rifle but particularly with a rifle that has a barrel band. Maker sure you have the ONE load that your rifle likes best and don't rush. Rule #71...if your rifle has a crappy trigger...pack it up and quit until it has been resolved 'cause you'll never see the firearms potential.

Im with Arborman on the trigger. I once had a Colt Match Target AR15. Had about a 12 pound pull from the factory. Groups ran about 8 to 12 inches at 100 yards. This with a 6x24 scope. Sent it to Colt repair station and it came back at a crisp 4 pounds. Groups shrank to 1 inch or less.

Get yourself a Wildwest Happy trigger and a Magic Springs reduced power main spring. I did that with my 1894 44mag. and the trigger is less than 2lbs. now.