Freedom Arms Model 83 Accuracy

[Grumulkin]

You long time shooters of the Freedom Arms Model 83, kindly tell me if I'm all wet.

My goal, with my Model 83 in 454 Casull, is 1 to 1.5 inch 3 shot groups off the bench with iron sights at 50 yards and 2 to 3 inch groups off the bench at 100 yards.  So far, the best I've been able to do after trials of several powders and bullets is 2 to 2.5 inches at 50 yards.  I have not yet given up my quest.

Is my goal realistic?  Do you have a recommended powder or bullet?

[Graybeard]

Judging solely on the basis of that photo of you and your comments here my response would be "you are all wet" or stated another way I seriously doubt you (NOT THE GUN BUT YOU) are up to the task.

Once upon a time I was but no more. Put a scope on it and those goals of yours shouldn't be a problem. The gun will do it the question is can you? I can't anymore and suspect you aren't up to it these days either.

Young eyes and reflexes help a lot. Experience can make up for a lot of lack of youth but eventually age catches up and not even our years of experience can offset it.

[Grumulkin]

So you think I look old?  You're right; I'm getting there.  It has been over 10 years now since my vision was 20/15 uncorrected.

If you think the gun is up to it, I'm going to try some more with my glasses.  As for a scope, naw; I think a scope on a revolver is almost blasphemy and it would interfere with concealed carry.

[Graybeard]

I went to scopes on handguns for awhile mostly on TCs at first then on some revolvers. Eventually I came to the same conclusion you have that a revolver should be shot with irons not scopes. I still have several handgun scopes laying around but none mounted. I have just accepted that my old eyes aren't able to deliver the kinda accuracy they did when younger and live with the reduced range that requires of me.

[22popnsplat]

I have poor vision and have to scope a handgun to hit anything at a distance , with my handloads and a few sandbags from the bench I can shoot 5 shot grops at 1 inch with my model 83 in 454 . I think I can cut this group down in size with more load work.

[Grumulkin]

I have poor vision and have to scope a handgun to hit anything at a distance , with my handloads and a few sandbags from the bench I can shoot 5 shot grops at 1 inch with my model 83 in 454 . I think I can cut this group down in size with more load work.

At what range are your 5 shot 1 inch groups?

[BigMuddy]

To answer your question, YES the gun can do what you are wanting it to. What kind of sights really do not matter with the question of the gun's capability and I won't make any assumptions on the ability of the shooter. You asked if the gun is up to it, and yes it is. I know all of mine will.

The most accurate bullet I have fired in mine is the Nosler Partition, 260 grain. Use Nosler's load data for this bullet. The Swift A-Frame 300 gr. is very good too. There are other good bullets, but these two have shot best in my guns.

[Grumulkin]

I appreciate the bullet recommendations.  I'll have to give them a try.

[paul105]

FWIW,

Midway has a sale on Nos Part HG Bullets -- just about half off.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#45%20nosler%20partition____-_1-2-4_8-16-32


I've had good results with the Newer Hornady 300gr XTP Mag bullet (not the older dual crimp version).   Best results were using Hodgdon H110.

Mine also shoots the 250gr Horn XTP very well when run at .44 Mag velocities.

With my older eyes, I've found that a scope is a huge help when shooting groups during load development.   

Paul

 

[22popnsplat]

sorry I left out an important part , I shoot at 50 meters

[bobthenailer]

yes im 61 years old now and my fa 454 s  will shoot 1/2 inch  5 shot groups  at 50 yards with my  cast lbt 300grgc lfn or  nosler 260 hg off a bench and at least a 6x or higher magnfaction scope . for hunting  and pratice i prefer a red dot sight ! i also just bought 4 more boxes of the nosler 260 hg  from midway for 1/2 off ! they are the most accurate jacketed  bullet ive found for my 454s. and i think i ve tried , everyone out there except swift bullets ,  ive also got 3 whitetails whith them all 1 shot dropped in there tracks

[WL44]

I've got around 1" groups (full cylinder) out at 50m with a 353 with a 4X scope off a bench. I've shot pretty decent groups prone and off sticks out to 100m, but the hold was the limiting factor and I think more magnification would help. Some guys just shoot irons better than others. I'd suggest an undercut, or at least a vertical rear to the front post if you go that route.

Loads are not all equally accurate. I have had the best results with fairly precise handloading, but I found the factor that affected ES most was how full the case was. A slightly compressed load (just basically taking up the airspace) got me to ES below 10 fps and often around 5. Those loads shot best and at longer range it makes a difference to vertical. A consistent crimp is very important too.

Good luck.