It has been a while, but I am back. Thanks to all for you past help.

I had written about accuracy problems with my K98 mauser chamberd in 7 x57. I followed the sugestions from this forum and man did I find problems.

First off I was shooting factory Remington ammo. 139 gr core lok rounds. I could not get them to shoot a decent group. I then used a OAL gauge and several bullet combos and this is what I found.

I first used a Hornady 175 gr round nose bullet and set it .020" off of the lands. I compared the OAL of the 175 gr round nose to the 139 gr Remington. Holy cow, .250" difference in OAL and then you add the .020" free jump and that brings the 139 gr to .270" off of the lands. I checked the seating depth of the 139 gr Remington and found it to be right at .284". I am not a professional shooter or a gun smith, but that doesn't sound good.

I also tried some 162 gr Hornady SST bullets. I was able to get a good seating depth with .020" free jump. I have been playing around with the powder, trying to find the right combo. With the bullet jump down to .020" in some hand loads, I have been able to bring the group down from over 8" at 100 yds to under 2", and getting better.

I like the performance of the 162 gr SST, so I think that is the load that I will work with and try to get the most out of it. My son killed a nice size wild boar this year with a shot in the neck. I was amazed at the damage. He also killed a 200 lb sow with a shot to the shoulder. The SST had no problem with the heavy sheild over the shoulder and the hart and lungs looked like they spent some time in a blender.

Thanks again for the help
Scott.

Scott,

Keep dinking with it and you will be able to thread needles.

I just got back from the gravel pit with my 98 (chambered in 6.5x55 A.I.)

I had bought a box of Remington 120gr. Core Lockt for the sole purpose of fireforming some brass to the A.I. chamber. I did not expect much accuracy from the factory ammo (due to sensitivity to OAL) but what a surprise I got!

That darn thing was plunking them into an old bean can at 229 yards with the open sights (shooting off a set of sticks) I had the rifle built for shooting hundred grainers and had to keep the sight set on the 100yard line to get em on the can but she sure shot well. I am "guessing" that the accuracy with the factory rounds was due to the close tolerences when the AI chamber was cut.

All in all, this is THE most accurate rifle I have had the pleasure to shoot.

My best,

Scotty

Just as soon as I can get back home, I plan on getting the results of some new rounds that I loaded.

In tuning a gun or rounds, we don't shoot from the shoulder. All shooting is done in a shooting vice with remote trigger. This just takes the human factor out. Once I have the gun doing its thing, then we will hone our shooting skills.

I do enjoy spending time at the reloading bench with my boys, good family time.

Thanks