Top 10 Common Rifle Problems and Solutions

Top 10 Rifle Issues and How to Fix Them

Firearm expert Liam Scally shares some handy tips on the most common rifle problems and how you can tackle them.

Common Rifle Problems:

1. Loose Scope Mounts

This one can be tricky since it might not happen every time. Just double-check that your mounts are secure.

2. Ammo Issues

If your rifle isn’t hitting where you aim, it could be your ammo. Using the wrong load, length, or twist rate can throw off accuracy. Try using factory rounds to see if that fixes things.

3. Misaligned Moderator

If your moderator is off or damaged, it can make bullets stray. Go ahead and shoot without it to see if your accuracy improves.

4. Heavy Trigger

If you’re nailing targets off a bipod but struggling with sticks, your trigger might be the culprit. A simple adjustment could make a big difference.

5. Barrel Fouling or Wear

A dirty or worn-out barrel can ruin your rifle's performance. A riflesmith with a borescope can check it out for you.

6. Over-Cleaned Barrel

Believe it or not, cleaning too much can mess things up. Some rifles perform better after a few rounds are fired through them.

7. Eroded Crown

If the crown of your barrel is eroded, a riflesmith can help fix that.

8. Eroded Chamber

Just like the crown, a worn chamber needs a look. It’s best to have a riflesmith evaluate and possibly repair it.

9. Loose Action or Poor Bedding

For accuracy, your rifle’s action needs to be properly bedded. Loose bolts can be a quick fix, but getting a riflesmith to check the bedding is a good idea.

10. Bolt Fouling

Fouling can lead to light strikes and misfires. A good cleaning of the bolt usually solves the issue.

Extra Tips:

- Confidence and Misses

Every shooter has those days with unexplained misses. Figuring out what went wrong—be it wind or an unstable shooting position—can help keep your confidence up. If you think there might be a technical issue, fire a few shots at the range for a better idea.

- Home-Loaded Ammo

Home-loading ammo can save you money and enhance performance, but you need to do it right. Wrong bullet weight or powder can mess with accuracy. Consider using factory rounds to see if your ammo is the problem.

- Moderator Problems

If your moderator has loose baffles or isn’t lined up correctly, it can cause bullets to clip and fly off course. Test your rifle without the moderator to see if that helps.

- Checking the Crown

It’s super important to inspect the barrel’s crown for erosion since it affects bullet stability. A riflesmith with a borescope can give it a thorough check.

- Keyholing

This happens when a bullet tumbles in the air and hits sideways, often because of the wrong powder load.

Check Out Our Worcestershire Gunsmiths

There are a lot of reasons why your rifle might have problems or suddenly lose accuracy. A skilled riflesmith can help you sort it out. If you’re in the Worcestershire or West Midlands area, we recommend Allcocks Outdoor Store as a top-notch UK gunsmith. Give us a call at 01299 822212 for more info on our repair services.