[Jeff3680]

I have a 504 in 17 Mach2. After lightening the trigger, pillar bedding and floating the barrel I have the best way to hold it is by the barrel. I can throw it much more accurately than it will shoot.....

 

[Jeff3680]

John,
I have over 800 rounds thru this rifle. With a patch the barrel seems tighter at the chamber end. I have reset the headspace to .043, floated the barrel as I said , and glass and pillar bedded both front and rear of the action ( I'm a machinist, so custom pillars are a breeze ). The crown looks good, going to give her a lap and see if this helps. The groups have came down some, from 7/8" to around 1/2" but I would think she should do better. Lilja is my next step.

 

[Jeff3680]

I was talking about lapping the crown.... .043 is as tight as I can headspace, any tighter and the bolt will not close empty. The bolt must be counterbored a little deep. The primer strikes look really deep so I wouldn't think ignition would be a problem. A buddy of mine has a 504 in .22 LR and it shoots the same. The work I have done has pulled in the fliers, but the group is still scattered around the bull... The Mach2 has not impressed me near like my hummers, I am thinking about changing it to a .22 and making a fine hunting rifle out of it.