700 vls in 223

[Stape]

  I have a 700 vls in 223, the groups are OK but not what youd expect for a heavy barreled varmint rifle with a good trigger and good optics.  My main question or concern is in regards to the pressure point at the tip of the channel.  Do you guys free float it or leave the pressure point?  To my knowledge, remmy is the only ones who have this pressure popint on their heavy varmint rifles while all others are floated.  I wouldn't think it would shoot worse, but when the barrel heats up, groups open up drastically.  So, whats the general census on this?  Free float or not?

[Graybeard]

I've always left mine as they came but do make sure that the rest of the barrel is not touching the fore end. Also take a look and make sure the pressure point is not putting more pressure on one side than the other.

Personally I'd look for other reasons it doesn't shoot well than that pressure point. Many of them benefit from properly bedding the action and recoil lug. I'd start there not with the pressure point.

[diggler1833]

Good advice.

One thing to add though.  If I were to look at bedding a rifle, I'd personally sand down the pressure point.  How many custom 700 builders implement pressure points on their builds?  I can't think of one, all of the one's I've seen are bedded and free floated.

That being said, some rifles shoot well with pressure points on the barrel.  Personally I hold them suspect due to the shooter being able to impart more pressure at one time than another (changing positions etc...).  The barrel vibrates/whips just like a tuning fork, any change in pressure on a barrel will more than likely change POI a bit.

That can also happen when a hot barrel is touching a stock, although laminated stocks are a bit more resistant to elements than traditional wooden stocks are.

Bed it and float it, my .02