“Accurizing” a rifle…. Aftermarket modification

Based on your experiences, what are the most cost effective ways to “accurize” a rifle?

I know there are countless methods that people try, but for those of you who have made improvements and seen the results firsthand, what are some good, affordable ways to turn a rifle into a “shooter”? Which improvements get you the most “bang for your buck” and/or which ones are rather expensive and might be subject to diminishing returns based on upper-end costs….

I just read this article about “Affordable Accuracy”, which made me wonder which improvements you all have experienced to make the most impact.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/affordable_accuracy.htm

Examples –

Trigger work
Lap a barrel
bed the action
recrown
aftermarket products such as the article suggests – David Tubb’s Final Finsh…

Thanks! Just wanted to hear some discussion on cost-friendly accuracy solutions.

Mike

I feel the cheapest and most noticeable modification would be to the trigger. If the gun has good bedding a load development would be next.

Quote:

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I feel the cheapest and most noticeable modification would be to the trigger. If the gun has good bedding a load development would be next.

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I would agree with this statement from what I have been told. I was in a new gun shop last week in St Cloud and was looking at a CZ rifle… the salesman there told me, the biggest influence (he felt) as far as long range consistent accuracy was the trigger pull. He explained that the only moving part, in your shot routine should be your finger, after you release your breath, everything else should be at rest… I tend to agree with him.

Reloading can do alot, working up the right load that the rifle likes.

My order of opperation

1. Quality barrel and action

2. Trigger adjusted to (by personal preference) proper poundage.

3. Desired stock pillared if needed

4. BREAK IN PROCEDURES!!!!

5. test a starting load

6. Bullet seating depth specific to that guns lands

7. adjust charge, primer, case crimp,…as required to maximize consistency. If satisfied, go to #9

8. If #7 is not achieved, go back to #6 and start again

9. Clean and care for your firearm as if the only way someone will get it from you is prying it from your cold dead fingers

I should have mentioned that testing a starting load also includes identifying the best matched bullet (weight & Legnth) for the barrel’s twist rate – not all are equal!