Switching Barrels/Accuracy?

[J A XSP]

I tend to want to leave a good-shooting Contender rig alone once I get some loads dialed in, especially if I'm likely to hunt with it. Sometimes though, it's necessary for multiple barrels to share a frame.

I'm wondering what sort of experiences everyone has in terms of repeatable accuracy across loads and consistency of POI after removing a barrel and putting it back on the frame. Any particular barrel/frame combo that seems finicky? Any barrels or chamberings that seem particularly consistent?

Do you tend to leave frames and barrels permanently set up or switch around pretty often? Lots of barrels that share one frame? A particular frame that's only used for a couple of barrels?

Inquiring minds want to know. :D :D

[Bobby Tomek]

Years ago, I used to swap around barrels quite a bit, but I'm down to just a few and tend to leave them set. I did some experimenting back then, and while a few tend to think of them as snake oil or a gimmick, I found that using hinge pins that minimize slop help return the POI to an acceptable level -- usually well within an inch at 100 yards of where it was previously.

No, all frame/barrels combos don't need them. And those who use brute force to hammer a pin into a frame are doing more harm than good. But used as intended and with a dedicated forend that is always tightened the same, those pins and the resulting solid lock-up do make a difference and remove much of the guesswork when swapping around barrels.

Switching buttstocks tends to create the greatest shift.

[J A XSP]

Years ago, I used to swap around barrels quite a bit, but I'm down to just a few and tend to leave them set. I did some experimenting back then, and while a few tend to think of them as snake oil or a gimmick, I found that using hinge pins that minimize slop help return the POI to an acceptable level -- usually well within an inch at 100 yards of where it was previously.

No, all frame/barrels combos don't need them. And those who use brute force to hammer a pin into a frame are doing more harm than good. But used as intended and with a dedicated forend that is always tightened the same, those pins and the resulting solid lock-up do make a difference and remove much of the guesswork when swapping around barrels.

Switching buttstocks tends to create the greatest shift.

I agree about the "oversize" pins. I have 2 or 3 around and try to match a frame and barrel to a pin that's pretty tight. I've definitely seen groups tighten up when going from a relatively loose pin to one that takes just a little bit of persuasion . For the barrels that I'm switching, especially for casual shooting or barrel testing where I might change out at the range, I want a pin that pushes in and out without too much fuss. I have noticed that when I need to remove and reinstall a barrel in a frame with an oversized pin, it tends to be very consistent in terms of returning to POI and maintaining accuracy

It's interesting about the stock...if the bolt isn't torqued down good and tight, things get pretty inconsistent. That's not necessarily intuitive but it makes a difference. As for the forends, the only way I feel satisfied the they're really locked in place is either the hanger system or pillar bedded.

[BT]

I don’t swap barrels around much anymore either and like to keep my setups together once I’m really pleased. I agree with the oversized pins, though I’ve only needed them on a rare occasion. I’ve been through alot of barrels over the years and have really reduced the number that I have now. Most of the time POI has not moved much, if any, but a grip and forend change has shown the biggest results for me as well. Most recently I had a GA Jim laminated set on a G2 and swapped them out for a Pachmayr set, resulting in my group moving 3” to the left and the same upward. I’ve never taken for granted that the POI will be right where it was prior to swapping anything around and always confirm where it’s at prior to hunting.

[BobT]

I'm currently on a mission to have a frame dedicated to each barrel, that said I have never noticed a difference in the raw accuracy of a particular barrel when it was switched from one frame to another if everything else remained the same. A point of impact shift has been the norm for me though and as Chris mentioned, a zero verification is a must!

[atmtc]

Anymore, I just use two frames. One for pistol & one for carbine bbls. I stick with the same forends & have had no problem w/POI shift.

[Mjshell]

I rarely switch barrels. I get them set up and leave them alone. Now with that being said, I did change a frame / barrel/ wood combination up last week. It shifted point of impact 6” or so. I’m surmising it was more due to the different forend than the frame/ barrel switch.