Magazine tube problem!?

[Flapjack]

Hello All..

I posted a while back about a newly aquired model 94 .44 mag. with serious accuracy problems (ie. 5" groups @ 50, benchrest) with factory and handloads. I must be honest, this thing is really making me angry

I did notice the magazine tube is loose, and "jiggles" without really wrenching on the front barrel band screw..quite a bit actually..I have tried to tighten it, but it shoots loose after a round or two.

I have read (Paco's article) that you do not want to overtighten the front barrel band for accuracys sake, but is the tube supposed to be this loose?? I have a Marlin 336--one hell of a shooter BTW---and the mag tube does not move at all.

is this natural for Winchesters, or could this be the root of my problem?? if not, how should it be fixed? Shims? The thing is brand new with the only rounds fired by me.

its pretty sad when my iron sighted AK-47s with russian ammo shoot circles around this thing...

please help me with this bullet hose!!!

[Castaway]

Check to see if the magazine cap screw has "wallowed" out the untapped, screw recess in the barrel.  My 45 Trapper did, I peened it back to tighten it for a while, then eventually had a dove tail installed on the barrel with a screw recess hole.  Inside of the hole, there is a neoprene washer to absorb some of the shock of recoil.  It's shot fine ever since.

[tommy4toes]

yep - had the same problem on my trapper, but even worse - mine had the Ram line stocks for lite weight carry in the woods. I Loctited the screw and it stopped backing out, then proceeded to break after it oblonged the barrel hole. I went through three screws with it, and sold the *(^$( gun after that.......Castaways' got a good fix for it, sounds like.
t4toes