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Handy Rifle Question

4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
I bought my son a 243 Handy Rifle last year and didn't shoot it any more than to zero the scope. Over the weekend we took it out and shot it some. I couldnt believe the groups I was shooting with it. At 100 yards the first two were overlapped and the third went high right slightly over a quater inch. I then adjusted the scope to bring the group into the bullseye and handed it over to my son. His first shot went left quadrent in the red zone, second hit an inch high and third hit in between. Two clicks to right and he was striking gold. After about ten shots things started getting screwy. He was putting holes everywhere so I took it and shot it. My sub 1/2 inch pattern turned to crap. The pattern was now lucky to be inside 4 inches. I had forgot my cleaning kit so I couldnt clean the rifling outso the rifle was put away.

Do you think this is normal for the rifling to foul after only ten or so rounds?

When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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Comments

  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own a couple of the Handi Rifles,and their all very accurate.Marlin bought H&R AND nEW eNGLAND ARMS AND PROMISES TO CONTINUE MAKEING QUALITY RIFLES AND Shot guns.As for it gumming up Would it be the Ammo?Im sure the barrel had been cleaned well before you shot it.


    Best!!!

    Rugster


    Toujours Pret

    Edited by - Rugster on 08/26/2002 09:07:18
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  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    I was using winchester 165 grain soft tips. And yes it was clean before we began.

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Probably the scope; might have loosened-up.
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  • Norman DogNorman Dog Member Posts: 470 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The HandiRifle, like many single-shots and other rifles with two-piece stocks, are notorious for changes in bullet placement with changes in grip. When you shoot the rifle, try holding it exactly the same way each time. Pay special attention to where you place the hand that holds the forestock. Try holding it at the attaching screw or a little behind.

    Check out this Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nef-singleshot/

    Also, this site has good info:
    http://www.hr1871.com/

    Veritas morsum, autem veritas est verus

    WOOF.
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  • .280 freak.280 freak Member Posts: 1,942 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hard to believe that so few shots could have that drastic an effect.

    Probably nothing more than a scope related problem. Could be the scope itself, or, more likely, whoever mounted the scope didn't follow correct procedure.

    Were ALL mounting holes and screws (including the ones for the base or bases, if so equipped), cleaned and degreased first? Did they all get a drop of Loctite or some substitute applied? Were they all torqued down properly and then re-checked?

    If you recheck ALL the mounting screws and find none loose, the scope itself is the next logical culprit. If you have a different scope that you know for sure is good, try mounting that one and see how the gun groups.

    If your good groups come back, then the original scope was the problem.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I know this is going to sound like a dumb question, but,......how long between shots? I have noticed the 243 has a thing for heating up barrels very quickly.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    We were putting them through at about 10 second intervals, and we were also setting directly in the sun.

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The loose scope sounds like a possibilty.Were you shooting factory or handloads?Handloads may have not ignited all the powder coating the rifling quickly.

    Eric S. Williams
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My suggestion for the hot calibers (anything over 3100fps), which was given to me by one of my rifle mentors a while back, is 5-7 minutes between shots, especially in the summer. This can be shortened during 50-70 degree weather. I would be willing to bet, that if you take it out there, right now, not even cleaned yet, you will get that group back while the barrel is cool. I have had the same problem with a 243 I had.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • rameleni1rameleni1 Member Posts: 998 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had the same problem with my mini 14. Loctite solved it.

    Rameleni1
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  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    The Scope was mounted correctly, everthing was and is tight. If it wasn't fouling of the rifling it may have been barrel temperature or the scope is just a piece of crap. I had never owned a Simmons scope before and was told by a few people that they were decent. Its a 6-20x50 pwr with adj. obj. Seems solid enouph and the optics are clear. Further testing will be required to determine the culprit of the massive change in grouping but Im leaning toward barrel temperature. Thanks for your input guys it has been helpful as usual.

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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