Well I finished my first series of groups with my new Handi. The results 'out-of-the-box' were not great. However I can report that both the 32 gr. and the 40 gr. Vmax's stabilize fine. I got pressure sign at max load on the 32's with H335. After checking for pressure I shot two five shot groups( with slightly less than max load), one group with 32 gr. and the other with 40 gr. The 32 gr. I supported under the fore-stock and as expected I got vertical stringing--- 4 inches of it, but the horizontal was only 5/8 of an inch. The rifle was good and steady. This means the barrel is good. The 40 gr. I supported under the hinge pin and the group was more or less round and about two inches in diameter. I find it very difficult to hold the rifle steady when supporting under the hinge pin so part of that two inch group is me. All in all I think it's a good start.
Before I go to the expense of pillar bedding the fore-stock I will free float and glass bed it and put a shim in front of the spacer. I will also bed the barrel to the action using my epoxy/aluminum powder formula. When this is done I am going to try BL-C(2) as it is a bit bulkier powder and will fill the case better than the H335.
The journey begins---------------------------
I will keep you posted.
McLernon
