Alternating shots from the magazine

[Olga]

Did anybody test their R1s to compare accuracy with empty magazine vs shooting a loaded magazine to the last round?

 

Here is what I have observed with 30-06 R1 at 100 yards:

- keep magazine empty and load directly to the chamber: results are ok, can sometimes fire 5 shots into 2" square.

- load four rounds into the magazine: first round shoots way left of target, second round shoots about 4" right of the first shot, third round goes left again not far from the first shot, fourth shot goes to the right close to the second shot. I have seen this happen consistently, including one group that measured way over 4" horizontally but under 1" vertically.

 

It looks like based on the left or right position of the round in the magazine it alternates shooting to the left or right edge of the group.