The team's tour brochure. - National Rifle Association

Rather obvious (but often not realized) facts!From your friendly neighbourhood Gunsmith.1) Bedding Problems?In wet weather do you get erratic shots when water gets between the action and the bedding?Cause:Shrinkage of the wood grain in dry weather or swelling in wet weather, in the past, has causedthe grain structure of the wood to change shape and move away from the action in patches.Thisis a permanent effect.When water gets into these tiny spaces it acts like a lubricant and permitsthe action to move about minutely during each shot and so alter the “grip” of the action againstthe bedding.Very short term solution:If the rain stops then take the action out of the bedding, dry the surfaces thoroughly, refit & retorque.Slightly longer term solution:After drying out & refitting, fit an action cover over the action or apply adhesive tape along allthe upper edges where the action and barrel meet the stock. HOWEVER this is not enough –Remember that rain also falls on the barrel in front of the stock!These raindrops will run roundunder the barrel and remain hanging on the underside.When you lift up the barrel or drop thebutt on the ground – Yes – the water runs down the underside of the barrel straight into thebedding completely negating all that tape!The solution to this secondary problem is to fit an ‘O’-ring or rubber band around the barrelabout two or three inches in front of the action.This will act as a drip point for these drops,which will fall off into the stock. – BUT- don’t forget that you will need a drain hole or side slotsin the stock to let this accumulating water out, otherwise it will run onwards into the bedding,negating all that work!Best solution:Have the action rebedded in the stock but also still use a wet weather cover when it’s rainingand keep the ‘O’-ring or rubber band permanently in place.Note:Cleaning fluids or oils in the bedding area will cause the same effects as water in the short termand more permanent chemical damage to the bedding material & wood in the long term – sokeep it dry!2) Trigger Problems? – Erratic Trigger Operation.Do you take your bolt out of your rifle on the range?Do you put it on the ground, or on your mat or in the side pocket of your gun bag?Did you realize that the bolt would collect grit, dirt and bits of grass due to the grease/oilaround the locking lugs and the cocking pin area?This dirt falls off into the action when the boltis refitted into the action and/or when fired.As the trigger is the lowest point of the action andis directly below the cocking pin, then guess where the dirt ends up!Solution/Prevention:Don’t remove the bolt unless you have to. If you do, then don’t put it down on the ground ormat or into your gun bag pocket unless it is wrapped in a clean cloth. Make sure your gun bagpocket is clean inside too!Follow these simple precautions and trigger problems caused by dirt will be a thing of the past.3) Bolt flags – Safe or Dangerous?Bolt Flags are a good indicator that a rifle is safe whilst the flag is in place – BUTTHEY ARE NOTINFALLIBLE. It is still possible to trap a live cartridge in the breech area behind/beside the flag.This cartridge can remain there after removing the flag and lead to an accident.Solution:ALWAYS check that the breech and chamber areas are both clear before inserting the flag.4) Are you suffering from too much wind?Check the lateral ‘wobble’ in your back sight.Try pushing the eyepiece sideways. If you have anysideways movement then you have a problem. If the eyepiece doesn’t return to the same placewhen released you have a BIG problem.You can easily have a couple of minutes windage slopwithout realizing it. If you have a large rear Iris assembly on adaptors & extensions, the errorwill be multiplied by two or three times.Solution A: - UK type sightsIf your sight has slide-way tensioner screws, gently tighten them to remove the slop, but notenough to cause backlash in the main screw movements. Do this to both the elevation andwindage slides.Solution B: - Central style sightsThe leaf springs on each of the slide-ways will need reshaping.You will need to have an expertdo this for you.Solution C: - Older type sights with leaf spring tensionersThe leaf springs will need reshaping and if anyone has packed the springs in the past, the packersshould be discarded as they actually make it worse by preventing the curved leaf spring fromworking correctly.This is also an expert’s job.Solution D: - Buy new sightsIf you can afford to do this, this is your best solution as the most modern sights have built inadjustable tensioners and ball bearings that make resetting easy and eliminate backlash. Alsonew sights will enable you to discard those adaptors and extensions you may have with youreyepiece.