Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
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Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
Hi All
Well I am quite rattled tonight having messed up two big bull elk shots over the last three days.
Problem is when I sighted the rifle in four days ago stupid me ( weary from the long drive ) set the free floating barrel on a sandbag ( so as to not scratch the woodwork ). Further more I actually remember pulling the gun down for a more steady shot so more flex on the barrel. Set up for two inches high at 210 yards.
Shot twice at two large bull elk and missed all the time. Thought I had a hit in all cases but the Bulls trotted off.
So after this happening a second time today fired three shots at a two hundred yard target. Low and behold 16 to 18 inches low. Again resting on barrel but no downward pull.
I have yet to try it at the range resting on the forearm.
Does anyone else have an insight as to just how sensitive the Blaser K95 barrels are that are free floated. I would have guessed an inch effect if the barrel was rested instead of the forearm but today's numbers are dramatic.
Well I am quite rattled tonight having messed up two big bull elk shots over the last three days.
Problem is when I sighted the rifle in four days ago stupid me ( weary from the long drive ) set the free floating barrel on a sandbag ( so as to not scratch the woodwork ). Further more I actually remember pulling the gun down for a more steady shot so more flex on the barrel. Set up for two inches high at 210 yards.
Shot twice at two large bull elk and missed all the time. Thought I had a hit in all cases but the Bulls trotted off.
So after this happening a second time today fired three shots at a two hundred yard target. Low and behold 16 to 18 inches low. Again resting on barrel but no downward pull.
I have yet to try it at the range resting on the forearm.
Does anyone else have an insight as to just how sensitive the Blaser K95 barrels are that are free floated. I would have guessed an inch effect if the barrel was rested instead of the forearm but today's numbers are dramatic.
- mchughcb
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
Sorry can't help. I can't remember the last time I rested a barrel rather than a stock on a bag. My K95 its a stutzen so you always rest on the wood. I'd be keen to hear any other stories as 18" is a lot at 200 yards.
- deerhunter338mag
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
I guess it's no different than sighting in your rifle on a sand bag and shooting off a bipod. Once you load up on a bipod your going to be under your point of aim. That's why if your going to shoot off a bipod then it's best to zero the rifle in on it. It's a real shame you missed out on your Bull Elk, let's hope the next one is a cracker.
Measure it, when it’s on the deck
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
I haven't rested a barrel on anything since I was a kid with an open sighted. 22
I got told early on by my grandpa not to bo that and I haven't ever since.
Live and learn, thats why I can admire a pretty quality gun but always opt for the rough and tumble. I know you usually have to be hard on a rifle to bring home the goods.
Lesson learned for next time, wood can always be replaced but once in a lifetime trophy or even a very good one are much harder things to find.
I got told early on by my grandpa not to bo that and I haven't ever since.
Live and learn, thats why I can admire a pretty quality gun but always opt for the rough and tumble. I know you usually have to be hard on a rifle to bring home the goods.
Lesson learned for next time, wood can always be replaced but once in a lifetime trophy or even a very good one are much harder things to find.
I'm soft and I don't care. 

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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
One other thought I had was the scope and mount. It's a Ziess Victory HT 1.5 to 6 rail mount to the Blaser saddle mount.
Cannot feel any movement of scope. Used the Blaser Screwdriver so that the quick detach mount is snug but not binding. I hope it's not the scope or mount.
Cannot feel any movement of scope. Used the Blaser Screwdriver so that the quick detach mount is snug but not binding. I hope it's not the scope or mount.
- mchughcb
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
I'd check it but it would be wobbling if it was that far off.
- Corjack
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
Bottom line is, resting your barrel on bags to zero, and then switching to a hunting situation is just not going to work. You need to rezero.
- stokesrj
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
Not only does resting the barrel on the sandbags bend the barrel upwards, it also changes the harmonics of the gun. All bets are off if you sight in with the barrel rested on a sandbag, there is no telling where it will shoot when shot in any other position. It's a really bad thing to do. But look at the bright side, you now get to hunt more and have learned one more thing to never, never, do again.
Bob
Bob
Robert J Stokes
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
We tested this a couple of years ago, after a friend of mine had a miss he could not understand. We tested with a R8 with and without a silencer. On 100 meters when just resting the barrel on the bag it hit 10-12 cm higher than normal, more when applying some extra pressure.
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
With Break open guns either single shot or combo guns I sight in resting on the the forend never the barrel. After I have the scope adjusted I then rest the rifle on the front rest right at the hinge pin and support the rifle by holding the forend to double check for any change in point of impact. I have been noticed with some guns that it can change and I feel this simulates a field and hunting hold more realistically. It also tightens up some groups on break open guns. I never use a sling for shooting if it is barrel mounted.
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
The idea of never using the barrel mounted sling sure makes sense now. I bet many did not think about that one. Forces both vertically and laterally not normal for operation. Yet so many use it for steadiness.
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
I am going to try it at the range on Saturday resting on the forearm. It will be interesting. Good info and appreciated.Ak wrote:We tested this a couple of years ago, after a friend of mine had a miss he could not understand. We tested with a R8 with and without a silencer. On 100 meters when just resting the barrel on the bag it hit 10-12 cm higher than normal, more when applying some extra pressure.
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
It's a big lesson learned as to how dramatic the point of impact can change. Never would have thought so much.stokesrj wrote:Not only does resting the barrel on the sandbags bend the barrel upwards, it also changes the harmonics of the gun. All bets are off if you sight in with the barrel rested on a sandbag, there is no telling where it will shoot when shot in any other position. It's a really bad thing to do. But look at the bright side, you now get to hunt more and have learned one more thing to never, never, do again.
Bob
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
This discussions got me thinking about a video I recently watched. The owner of Gunwerks made a video and pointed out that, when using a bi-pod, it is important to have flex so that the gun can recoil straight backwards. When sighting in guns, I normally use sandbags, so that I get a very stable and accurate rest (not on the barrel, of course). Should I be sighting in using sticks or bi-pod, if that is how I am going to hunt? Or am I better off getting a very stable platform (like sandbags, lead-sled, etc) for sighting in? My gut is that, as long as both platforms are not effecting the actual barrel (just rest the gun on the fore end, which is freefloated) the slight difference of recoil should not affect impact for hunting purposes.
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Re: Sensitivity of a K95 Free Float Barrel in 338 Blaser
Please report back as I'd be interested in hearing your findings. I just sighted in my new K95 last weekend resting on the forearm though and not touching any other part of the gun except the trigger. I typically try to rest on the forearm in hunting situations too and have never utilized the sling as a steadying aid. These petite rifles sure are accurate though.PINCHERRYL wrote:I am going to try it at the range on Saturday resting on the forearm. It will be interesting. Good info and appreciated.Ak wrote:We tested this a couple of years ago, after a friend of mine had a miss he could not understand. We tested with a R8 with and without a silencer. On 100 meters when just resting the barrel on the bag it hit 10-12 cm higher than normal, more when applying some extra pressure.
Oh, and I use the same scope set up as you on both my barrels.
Craig