How accurate is my rifle

[LR1955]

I am one of those superstitious folks that believes a cold clean bore impact location can be different from the following shots. I have observed this with one of my service rifles. It will always shoot an inside 8 at 5:00 the first shot of the day from a clean bore at 600 yards. The next shot will be an outside 10 at 5:00 and the following shots all X's if the shots are executed correctly. Last year I won four cold bore X challenge coins at Port Malabar with that barrel. That means I compensated for the first shot correctly on four different days in registered matches.
The barrel I have this year does not do this. It will shoot an X first shot clean and cold but does move up 1/2 moa as it warms up on about the 8th shot and stays there through the remaining shots of a 22 shot string.

Both of these are Krieger 1:7.7 twist 20" service rifle barrels chambered with a Wylde .223 chamber.

The AMU also believes that a cold bore / clean bore can have a repeatable point of impact different from subsequent group centers and teaches to verify this over multiple days. http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/USAM...mu6-3.html

Bob

Bob:

Given top end rifles and shooters, if this is true I would believe it. I am not doubting the first shot or shots from a clean bore may not go to a zero. Just that with guys who aren't current competitive High Masters using custom rifles firing custom tuned ammunition will probably not be able to predict where the first shots will go well enough to trust a zero change.

LR1955