Recoil lug thickness on 416 Rigby

[JamieD]

I built a 375 RUM and a 416 Rigby on Remington 700 actions and I'm having trouble with consistency on my groups. The gunsmith used standard thickness recoil lugs and I was wondering if it was possible if the lug is flexing under the recoil causing inconsistency in the groups.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Are the other contact points showing movement?

 

[JamieD]

The barrel is shiny just ahead of the lug where it is bedded and the lug itself is stainless so its hard to tell but it seems like there has been movement. I don't know if this is normal on the lug or not. It looks like where the back screw goes into the receiver it has squeezed into the bedding. Not sure if this was done when bedded- I think this was recoil.

Thanks.

 

[BARTFRNCS]

Can you show me a pic of the bedding? I'm a smith and might be able to tell you.

 

[JamieD]

Can't take pics anymore- I just took it to the smith. Thanks.

 

[sestoppelman]

If the barrels have pressure points at the front of the stock, that is a very common place to cause flyers and the first thing I remove to resolve problems. I doubt the lugs are flexing.