Finally shot my Handi 44 mag

[rws2]

Bought this gun new a couple months ago and topped it with a Leupold VXII 2-7 but it seemed like everytime I wanted to go shoot it something came up.

Today turned out to be the day to go see what she'd do! I had 4 types of factory ammo to try out. Fed AE 240gr HP, Hornady 240gr XTP, Hornady 225gr LeverEvolution and Win White Box 240gr SP.

As far as function the rifle preformed without a hitch but the accuracy at 100yds off the bench was dismal. 10" groups at 100yds, looked more like a pattern than a group with all the ammo tried. I was disappointed to say the least. But I continued to shoot as my thoughts were shoot all this ammo up then sell this rifle. I wasn't going to deal with customer service, read the FAQ's, I was going to sell this thing down the road as soon as I could unload it.

But I figured why not give her a chance and would shoot 5rds then clean it, shoot 5 more then clean it again. Somewhere around 50rds thru her it was like you flipped a switch and the groups shrank to 2". Hummmmmm maybe theres hope!

Seemed to like the Win WB and the Hornaday XTP's best. The Winchesters shot groups around 2-2 1/2" and the Hornady XTPs finally shot a 5 shot group of 1 1/8".
The Fed AE and LeverEveloution was 4" at best.

Still trying to figure what changed? It went from 10" 5 shot groups in the begining to 2" groups in the end??? All I know is I'm happy now and will keep this rifle!

I did take the chorny along and these were the averages, all factory stuff!
Fed AE 240gr HP 1711fps
Win WB 240gr SP 1755fps
Hornady XTP 240gr HP 1802fps
Hornady LeverEvolution 225gr 1808fps

Still can't figure how you can go from 10" groups at 100yds to 2" Groups like you flipped a switch. There was a feller ther shooting a Rem. 300 Ultra Mag in groups under 1" and I asked him to try my rifle, same thing 10" group with no 2 even close. So I determined it wasn't me or him.
The rifle never got hot, I started shooting at 830am and quit at 345pm, I was there all day with plenty of cool down times between shooting. Something changed after about 50rds. what I don't know? I shot several sets of groups after the "change" and all were acceptable. About all I can think is there might have been a burr on the crown or somewhere and it wore off and then things tightened up.

Might never know but I do know I'm happy now but I sure wasn't at first!

[Lon371]

 Congrats on the shooting.

 Sounds like you started with a clean barrel? Most the H&R's do not like to be clean. Maybe after you dumped enough rounds down range, you got her drity and settled. Do Not clean it. Dry patch only.

Lonny

[yukondog]

Most all the new handys that I'v had were like that, my first was a 44 mag. and it shot bad till I got about 100 rounds through it.

[Swampman]

I very rarely clean a Handi....thanks for the report.

[rws2]

I'll shoot it some more and try the not cleaning. I know my M70 Win 270 takes 4-5 shots from clean before she settles down.

I really like this little rifle, I think it will be fine. I figure I could find a sweet spot if I load for it. Might just have to get me a set of dies!

If the trigger were lighter it would be alot better. Guessing but it must be 5-6lbs, breaks crisp but just heavier than I'd like. I'd read up about lightening the trigger and see if I can do it.

[quickdtoo]

Congrats on the new 44mag! It could also be the latch and latch shelf finally got mated good from use, lock up is everything concerning accuracy in an H&R, new parts take a while to get used to each other. 

Tim

[gcrank1]

Now might be a good time to re-torque the buttstock bolt too.

[rws2]

I'll check the buttstock bolt! Thanks!

I kinda think its all starting to mate up like Quickdtoo said!

I see promise in this rifle and will work things out!

[lonewolf5348]

I would try just to run a clean patch threw thje bore about every 5 rounds no Slovent at all
I have a 243 cal. that drove me crazy until the other day and found it hates a clean bore

[Swampman]

Nearly all guns do.  That's why I clean bores about once a year.