When I first got into Smallbore silhouette shooting I bought a Rem. 540, and a 580 , first I re-stock them, then work on the triggers, re-barrel the 580, and later the 540, put on some cheap BSA scopes, made in Japan ( which actually work pretty good ) by the time I was thru, I had over a $1000.00 on each, not counting labor, they both turned out pretty good shooters, and enjoy every minute I worked on them, But in the back of my mind I still wanted an Anchutz.
When I sold them, I could not get enough to pay for the Anchutz.
Top Predator, I was really hoping that by the time you finished your project it would shoot at least 1" groups at 100 meters, from your posting, it did not turn out that way, but I know you enjoyed every minute you spend in that gun, and you do have a hell of a squirrel sniper rifle.
By the way you may want to cut up a business card in 1/2" strips, and put some under the barrel in the tip of the fore end to buid some pressure, some of this thin barrels will shoot better with some pressure on them to keep from whipping. I have tried it, and it works most of the time.
Evelio.

yeah i was hoping for around an inch at 100 also, but all in all i guess that between 1.25" and 1.5" isn't too bad for 127.00 walmart rifle. i'm probably going to end up bedding the action and seeing what that does. possibly also going to see what i can come up with for a barrel tuner, maybe the old stick 'em on wheel weight trick.

i thought about doing the cardboard thing also, but something a little more "elegant" and measurable by drilling a hole in the bottom of the stock, epoxying an insert, and having a rounded off screw that can butted against the barrel from the bottom to apply some pressure by turning it clockwise or backing it off a little for less pressure. maybe somewhere in between would be a sweet spot. Don't know if that'll violate the hunter class rifle standing. i just got my rule book today, and didn't get a chance to look through it to see if barrel tuners are restricted.

Good guess - barrel tuners are illegal in Hunter Class. Pressure pads aren't, though.

Pressure pads are legal, as long as is inside of the stock, the adjustable set up that predator is thinking about, would not be legal. By the way, the idea of the pad in the front, is to kind of capture all areas of the barrel in the stock, to minimize the whipping, the single point screw pressure, will not stop it from moving.
Evelio.

Evelio, does the material make a difference? Does something like high density foam work differently from say an epoxy pad?

Do not use any material that has bounce to it like any foam, rubberized or silicon material. I have used Mouse pad material and others but what has worked the best for me is duct seal sold in places like Lowe's, Home Depot and Electrical supply stores. If you have a choice use the one that works in areas with the greatest range of temperature. Put it between stock and barrel preferably the last two inches, make sure you have lots of room there for this material, does not work well on tight spaces. You can even mix lead bbs to bring weight up. I have used it on SB and HP rifles for many years and works on most of the rifles I have used it.
Let me know if it works for you, its really inexpensive and easy to find. Does something to barrel harmonics that can affect accuracy adversely.

Blaubear, I think you got the answer to your question from Lone Ringer.
Evelio.

You know how it is Evelio - talk to two pros and get three opinions.

Thank you sir!

Bedding the barrel is a surprise, though! Conventional wisdom is to float the barrel, usually with an explanation that it eliminates pressure points that might push the barrel one way or another. Bedding would support the barrel in a natural position, take stress off the receiver, and seemingly dampen harmonics but I can also see possible barrel cooling problems in high power.

Evelio has warned me of dire consequences if I ever tinker with a competition rifle again! I'm only allowed to clean and feed those, so I keep a couple of "toys" that Evelio doesn't have to fix.

BB, Don't worry Evelio likes the money.
Innocent

Innocent wrote:BB, Don't worry Evelio likes the money.
Innocent

Yeah, but he tells Kitty and that harassment never ends. Usually with pictures (see avatar).