Author Topic: Question on Hawkeye 223?  (Read 867 times)

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Offline littlecanoe

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Question on Hawkeye 223?
« on: April 04, 2009, 05:09:09 PM »
Hello,

Here is a short history to set up the question.

I just purchased a Hawkeye in 223 Rem.  It was bought new in Feb of this year then traded.  I picked it up last week and have it on paper.
No idea how many fired through it before I bought it but it couldn't have been many at all.

I mounted a Sightron II 3x9 on it and have it centered at 100 yards.  After the initial sight-it I checked the barrel clearance by trying to run a dollar bill between.  There was contact at points close to the chamber and at the fore-end.

Today I took the barrel channel tool and smoothed out the high spots.  There is just a bit of pressure at the end of the forearm.

I'm shooting Winchester Bulk Pack 50 grainers.  It was the only thing that I could lay hands on.
The last 3 shots went like this.  1st dead center.  2nd one inch high right at 45 degrees.  3rd 1 inch low left at 45 degrees.
I ended up with a nice diagonal string.  I'm thinking fully free float at this point.

What have you guys found that these guns like with the 1:9 twist?  Do they prefer a bit heavier bullet? 
Anyone had a similar problem or found it beneficial to free float?

Thanks,
lc

Offline efremtags

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2009, 03:20:09 PM »
22's are fickle. I would try a couple of different ammo between 50 and 62gr to see if it has a preference for weight or brand. The cheap SP tend to product good results. Most 22's I have shot have ammo they love and hate, not so much in between. Big bores tend to be the opposite, where you will find a lot of ammo that shoot well, not great, few are exceptional and few are truely bad.

Freefloat can not hurt. It's simple if you have a tool to cut the stock.

Offline littlecanoe

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2009, 03:30:47 PM »
Thanks,

I'll try some different bullet weights.  I just need to get some dies in.
I have bedded a few actions successfully but don't want to tackle that unless absolutely necessary.  The action is tight in the stock so I'll work on the barrel channel a bit more.  I think that I'm close to fully free floating it.

Offline drdougrx

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2009, 02:04:17 PM »
Hi,

Had the same prob w a rem till I realized it had a 1:12 twist.  Shoot 55gr or greater and you'll likely see great difference.  I have bushy DCM that loves 68gr Hornady match hps / 1:9 twist.
If you like, please enjoy some of my hunt pics at:

http://public.fotki.com/DrDougRx

If you leave a comment, please leave your GB screen name so that I can reply back!

Offline littlecanoe

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2009, 03:44:54 PM »
drdougrx

Thanks for the input.  I don't have dies yet but have a ton of brass.  I'll look around and order some heavier bullets.
Come to think of it, I've got about 50,   55 grain V-max's that I picked up a while back.  They may be the ticket.

Looking forward to getting the potential out of this one.  Appreciate the help!

lc

Offline roscoe

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2009, 04:42:43 PM »
How did it shoot at the initial sight in? Before you took out the high spots?I have a Hawkeye in 204 that shoots dimes the way it is,with no clearance.

Offline littlecanoe

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2009, 05:21:01 PM »
It was about the same.  Around the 10 ring but not consistent.

I just got finished setting the epoxy to bed the tang and lug.  I spaced the barrel with double masking tape to allow for clearance there.  When it's set I'll check the channel and then shoot a few rounds.  After that I'll determine whether to relieve more in the channel.

I'm convinced that I have a pressure point that is messing with harmonics.  I'm an inch on both sides of center with one dead center out of 3 shots.  I'm thinking (and hoping) that the tuning will clear it all up.  After that I'll go to the reloads with heavier bullets.

Offline Tallwalker

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2009, 03:06:00 AM »
When manufacturers machine the barrel channel on stocks they often use an undersize cutter, and a computer program these days to create the shape of the channel. You often get a well fitting outside contour that way, but because the cutter goes up one side of the channel, and down the other, it sometimes leaves a little ridge in the center of the bottom of the barrel channel that the barrel can rest on. When you fire one round it is on one side, and sometimes the vibration of the shot will move the barrel to the other side of the channel for the next shot. That is what creates that side to side shot dispersion on the target. Often rifles that have this problem will exhibit a telltale squeak if you move the barrel side to side in the channel physically. Usually, just a little light sanding with paper around a dowel or similar will remove the issue. Lighter weight barrels are more suseptable of course. Good luck with your problem.

Offline littlecanoe

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2009, 03:33:08 AM »
Thanks for the tips Tallwalker.

I have bedded the lug and tang.  The barrel is now clear back to the base of the chamber area. 
I'll give an update on accuracy using the same ammo. 

I just loaded 10 with H-Varget and Nosler 55 grain ballistic tips.  I'll test them too. 

Offline littlecanoe

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Re: Question on Hawkeye 223?
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2009, 01:24:03 PM »
Great improvement.

I now have the lug and tang bedded and the barrel free floated.  It had a definite pressure point at the tip of the forearm with more pressure on right than left.  That is corrected.

With the Winchester ammo that I first tested the group was tighter but still broad.

I then shot 5 of the reloads:  Nosler 55 gr ballistic tip over 26.5gr Varget.  Wish I had a pic to post but......
Group was 3 on left 2 on right with a 1 inch lateral spread.  Vertical spread was 1/2 inch!
I was shooting in wind with 9power max.  I shoot groups much better with 20x.

Considering lateral spread and scope power I'm thinking that I have a shooter and am near a good load.

Thanks for the help.
lc