.308 Handi Accuracy Problems

[tn_junk]

Tried every trick in the book. Three different kind of forearm spacers. Added shims to tighten up the barrel in the frame. Removed and remounted scope and base twice. Even changed to a different scope and rings.
Tried Remington 150 grain factory loads and three (125, 165 and 180 grain) jacketed handloads and two (113 and 170 grain) cast handloads.
ONLY accurate load was the 170 grain hardcast (wheel weight, water drop) with a gas check running at estimated 2050 FPS over 30 grains of H4895. 3/4" at 100 yards.
Best I could get with ANY of the other loads was 2" at 100 yards. And they all were within 1/4" of each other at that range.
Ideas, or is the best I can expect?

Thanks

alan

[quickdtoo]

Does it shoot good without the forend as described in the FAQs? If it does, keep working on the forend, if it doesn't, it may need a new barrel, recrown, something more serious than just forend work.

Tim

[tn_junk]

Without forend/with forend absolutely no difference. Barrel supposedly had less than 200 shots thru it.
Overall, the cast bullets shot as good, and even better, than the store bought bullets.
The cast bullets were from Lee moulds and dropped at .3105 (170 grain) and .309 (113 grain). Not sized, shot as cast.
Maybe slightly ovesize bore. Have not yet done a barrel cast. Will try to do that tomorrow.
Got a race (Bristol) to watch tonight.
Thanks for the help.

alan

[quickdtoo]

It may have an oversize bore since the big cast bullets shoot ok, the trouble is that if it's shooting 2" groups with jacketed bullets, that's H&R's standard of accuracy and while mediocre, it's not unacceptable for most big game hunting at practical ranges. Unless Remington changes their spec, they won't replace/repair the barrel. Slug the bore at the muzzle and near the throat, I dunno what the bore spec is for .308" bores, doesn't help much since they won't replace a second hand barrel which it sounds like it is. Although they did tell Swampman to return a frame with a second hand barrel to fit it, but his was a little tight, not loose. Sounds like your shims did good, but since the cast bullet loads are lighter at 2k fps, it could be it needs better fitting for the warmer loads, it doesn't take much movement in the action to cause inaccuracy.

Tim

http://62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinSlug.htm

[tn_junk]

Bore dia at chamber is .311 and at muzzle is .309. Which is way better than if it were the other way.
Kinda explains the accuracy issue.
Chamber and bore are clean and no indications of excessiver wear or other mishaps, so it must've come from
the factory that way.
This is gonna be my "cast bullet" gun.

alan