Well guys, today was the day. I tested the newly barrelled Handi today. Those who've been following the "strange guy" posts will know what I've gotten myself into.
The rifle is a stubbed and tapped 32-40 Winchester which will be fired with cast lead bullets only. I made a quick run to the range today and with temps in the low to mid 20's and snow falling and blowing, I got my barrel polished a bit and did a couple of group tests at 50 and 100 yards. All bullets were breech seated, meaning, a tool was used to push the bullet into the rifling about 1/16" ahead of the case mouth. The seater tool appears in the photos. The small knob on the bell portion of the seater tool locks into a groove I cut in the overly long sight/scope rail.
Initial results were very pleasing. With target sights -diopter w/ no glass- I was able to assemble some pretty decent groups, given the lousy conditions and my cold bullet lube. With a bit of load testing, seating depth variation, and brass cultivation, this should be a 1.5-2 minute rifle.
It is an enjoyable shooter with the 185gr Hoch bullet in front of 13.5gr of H-4227. Recoil is on par with a 38 special load in the 357 Handi.