Back to S&W again

[whitethunderdog]

sent my 15-22 back to S&W early summer to repair a loose ejector.
Since they have repaired the ejector my accuracy has gone south.
Before repair was getting 1" or less POI @ 25 yards.
Now I'm all over the place, with a 25 round magazine I'm lucky that I can get them in a 12" pie plate.
Can anyone tell me what could be going on, other than the accuracy problem, the rifle shoots nice.
also tried several different types of ammo.
thanks

 

[BigWaylon]

Sounds like a loose barrel nut. I haven't had it happen, but that's what seems to be the problem when accuracy starts to suffer on the 15-22. It's at least the first thing I'd check.

 

[GhostMutt]

Yes fully agree with Big Waylon, especially if they repaired the ejector, which is part of the barrel. Chances are they didn't tighten the barrel nut and with the rounds you have put down it has vibrated loose to the point that it is having an impact on your accuracy....if it is that and not a messed up crown (which i doubt) then it is an easy fix.

 

[whitethunderdog]

update;
received the rifle back today, replaced barrel, ejector and upper receiver
will take it out sometime this week and see what happens.
Great service from S&W shipped 8/27/15 received back 9/03/15.

 

[M&P-Chad]

update;
received the rifle back today, replaced barrel, ejector and upper receiver
will take it out sometime this week and see what happens.
Great service from S&W shipped 8/27/15 received back 9/03/15.

Wow! That is great turnaround time!

 

[whitethunderdog]

after getting my rifle back from S&W for the second time, still very poor accuracy, 50 yards 6" POI and with a few flyers, no matter what ammo I use cannot get any kind of grouping and this is all being done from bench rest, rifle is great as far as FTF and FTE no problems.
When I first purchased the rifle I was getting less than 1" POI that was @ 25 yards.
Ever since I sent this thing back to Smith my accuracy has gone south.
looks like it time to unload this thing and stick with my Ruger 10/22.

 

[crracer_712]

Are you using a scope?

 

[GhostMutt]

A level of accuracy that bad suggests to me that as we stated earlier that your barrel nut is loose....maybe S&W QC did not tighten it up properly or that you have a damaged crown. Before you give up on it, get a barrel nut tool....(for impartiality i won't mention any suppliers) from a vendor on here...tighten that nut, if it doesn't fix your appalling accuracy, then get rid. I'm sure someone on here will gladly relieve you of it just for spares.

 

[whitethunderdog]

I'm using a scope,
the second time that i sent the rifle in they replaced the barrel, so crown should be fine.
I have a barrel nut tool, checked barrel nut and it is tight.
I believe this rifle is a lemon.
it's not even fun to shoot anymore.

 

[Triathloncoach]

Disappointing that S&W would send back a gun that shoots poorly.

 

[whitethunderdog]

I'm going to call S&W again today and see what they say, will most likely be sending it back for the 3rd time.

 

[crracer_712]

Have you tried it without the scope???

I've had one bad scope. As I was trying to zero it in, I'd shoot my target, turn turrets, shoot and turn. This went on for far too long. So I put up a 2' square target and aimed dead center. I would get shots ranging from upper left, to upper right, to lower left, i.e. hitting all over the place. That's how bad the reticle can jump when you've got a bad scope. This was a brand new, cheap scope.

Next scope going bad experience was a Nikon P22. I'd hit a dozen shot in a row, then start missing. Had to rezero, it for some reason started hitting 2" high and to the right. Shot about a dozen more time, and again started missing. Again it was 2" high and to the right. This went on three times before I sent scope in for repair.

I find it hard to believe two barrels in a row would cause you this much accuracy problem. Remove the scope, try another one or open sights.

 

[whitethunderdog]

It's a Redfield 2X7, had it on a AR-15 and had no problems, not saying a problem could not show up.
Smith said to return the rifle and they will look into it further.
Rifle has already been sent, will have to wait and see what S&W has to say.

 

[hardknocks]

S&W

Hello
I hope they can make it right.
I can't understand how this non repair is commonplace.
Where I work we hired 4 people last week and 3 are fired.
Good luck.
Mike

 

[AGoyette]

I assume you checked the scope mounts to make sure that they hadn't gotten loose? Let us know how it shoots when you get it back.

 

[whitethunderdog]

double checked everything on the scope, everything was nice and tight,
wish it would of been a loose mount, would of made things alot less complicated.
the rep from S&W said that a manager will be in the loop on what to do once they receive my rifle back. per FedEx they should receive it this Friday. hope to hear something next week.

 

[crracer_712]

It's a Redfield 2X7, had it on a AR-15 and had no problems, not saying a problem could not show up.
Smith said to return the rifle and they will look into it further.
Rifle has already been sent, will have to wait and see what S&W has to say.

Reticles can jar loose, it happens. And for whatever reason, 22 rimfire seems to be harder on a scope that a center fire.

 

[whitethunderdog]

possibly could be the scope, rifle on it's way to smith, i'll have to see what they say.
thanks for all the information, if smith doesn't come up with anything, i'll
try a different scope when i get it back, i believe that's the only other thing it could be.

 

[whitethunderdog]

One thing for S&W is they have great turn around service, sent rifle in on 9-16-15 got it back today 9-29-15.
they replaced the barrel so hopefully everything is good now, will have get to the range this week.

 

[joeczep]

Any more info on your 15-22??

 

[whitethunderdog]

Yes, took the rifle out to the range yesterday and rifle shoots great.
they replaced the barrel. very happy with it now and S&W warranty.
Greatb turn around time.