Trouble sighting in..HELP Part 2

[Flash]

Thanks to those of you who replied on my last post. I appreciate the help.

I have moved a little closer to fixing my issue of sighting in my new Remington SPS 204, but I am still having problems. I have switched to a heavier load, Hornady 40gr. Vmax (from Winchester 32gr slivertips). No difference. I checked all parts for tightness and they seemed ok. I pulled off the scope and I did notice that when you just sit it on the bottom of the rings with no top pressure, the barrel side did not sit flush, there was a little gap. When I tightened the top ring to it it went away. Not sure if that's normal, but I did double check to be sure they were correct for the gun and for 1" scopes. All ok there. Went to shoot again (100 yards)and I could get about 2 of every 5 within an inch. The rest were scattered within about 6". I was shooting of a lightweight bench (that is a little wobbly but not bad) with a Cabelas version of a lead sled. I may have a little movement, but I don't think much.

From there I took off the scope and replaced it with another. I noticed the new scope didn't sit flush just like the first one. I looked through the barrel at 25 yards and aligned the scope like that. I then went out and shot at 40 yards to get it "on paper". At 40 yards the shots would touch one another. I then shot at 100 yards. My pattern was better, but for every 3-4 shots, I get a 3" flyer. I feel a little better because I atleast had some holes punched near one another, but I wouldn't call it a tack driver! Any advise from here. I am going to try to send in my original scope and try it again, but I am wondering if it could still be an ammo issue, or still something wrong with how I mounted everything. A friend just told me it is because I didn't "glass bed and float" the barrel but I don't know what that means or how to do it. The other guy there with me when I was told this said you don't do that with synthetic stocks like mine.

What should I do? Anymore ideas, or would you guys be happy with those results. Of the last 8 shots I took, 2 were 3.5" high left, 1 was 5" high right and 5 were within 1" of each other. I didn't feel shaky on any shot.

Thanks again for the help and have a good holiday season.

[WrzWaldo]

You need to lap those scope rings. I have recently bedded and floated my 700 SPS (17 RFB). It takes a bit of extra work with the floating because you will need to stiffen up the forearm after floating the barrel.

WW

[Glen]

I hate to spend your money for you here but I would try the 32gr Hornady ammo. That stuff shoots in almost every rig.

HTH

[Sagebrush Burns]

Flash - sounds like your new rifle is really being "cranky" and also like you're beyond the "easy fix" stage. Usually Remington rifles are good shooters, so don't give up. Something that will sometimes help is increased fore-end pressure. You might experiment with a thickness or two of card stock between the barrel and fore-end near the tip and see if that makes any difference. Some synthetic stocks are rather flimsy in the fore-end and that might be an issue. Perhaps you might shoot a group or two resting the magazine area on the bags with no pressure on the fore-end. It is by no means impossible that your rifle is not properly bedded in the action area. Good luck in your quest, do keep us posted...

[glenn asher]

Either shimming the rings or replacing them with Burris Signature Rings would be the way to go. I like the Burris rings because they can cure a lot of ills, with the inserts provided.
Are you dead sure the correct mounts are being used? Sometimes mismatched mounts can cause a lot of headaches.