New Member/Owner Intro and Question

[M3taco]

Been lurking here awhile and decided to finally "take the plunge" in several ways: registering and buying a couple of Handis - one (used) in 45-70 and one (new) in 450 Marlin.  I chose those because I already reload for both and love big bores.  Own multiple Marlin 1895's in 45-70 and 450, multiple Siamese Mausers converted to 45-70, a custom pre-64 Win 70 in 450M and a custom Ruger 77 in 450M and a #1 in 45-70.  Did I mention I love big bores?   Anyway.......

Got the Handis a few days ago, mounted a Nikon 1.5-4.5x20 on it and a old Weaver K2.5 on the 45-70.  Cleaned them both inside and out.  The 450 sighted in like a champ and shoots just about MOA (100 yds) with cast GC at 375gr at 1850fps.  Love it.

The 45-70 is a little different animal - same load but shooting about 2 MOA but does some vertical stringing.  Figure it might be the forearm and tried the rubber "O" ring and it helped a little but the forearm still makes contact on the left side of the barrel.  Sooooo....here is the question for those experienced with the Handi - bed or free float?  I understand and can do and have done both procedures just looking to know which one they respond to the best.

So far, all in all I am really liking these things....may even think about culling a few others I have and simplifying my locker a bit.

[keith44]

shoot a group with the forend stock removed, if the rifle makes nice round group float the barrel.  If it still won't group look at the barrel fitment




Welcome to the board, and enjoy!!

[thejanitor]

Welcome! On 2 of our forends (both synthetic) I had to use 2 Orings to keep the one side from touching. Not sure if you have wood or synthetic, but the synthetics have a little different shaped dimple where the screw holds it to the barrel, the 2 orings helped for us. Our wood ones that need it just get one oring and a couple have none as they shot fine "as is".
Hope you get it figured out since most 45-70s here among their owners favorites and do generally shoot very well.
Are you shooting cast bullets? You usually need to slug the barrel to know which sized cast to shoot out of it. My 45-70 is very accurate, but some of my cast I bought were not fat enough and most tumbled and it was tough even keeping them on the target.
 
Welcome, glad you took the plunge and got a name for yourself here at GBO!  thejanitor

[Swampman]

I've owned a lot of Handis in .45-70 and other calibers as well.  I've never had to do anything to get them to shoot.  They shoot best with a dirty barrel and no oil on the barrel latch.  Have you tried a box of Remington 405 grain factory ammo?

[M3taco]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Just a recap - as I said in OP I'm shooting 375gr cast with gas checks.  I forgot to mention they are sized at .459.  I've also tried two different load levels with the same H4198.  I've got boatloads of other bullets and weights in cast, jackets and solids but want to stay with cast for these.

Since vertical stringing is usually associated with forestock having irregular contact with the barrel I'm pretty sure that is the culprit.  Next trip to the range I'll try taking the forestock off and shoot a few to see what happens.  Just trying to decide if I should bed or float the forestock and to see how the results have been for those who have tried each.

[murphdog]

FWIW, I had a 223 that gave me fits.  It was sort of vertically stringing.  Actually it was throwing bullets into two different but distinct groups, one about an inch and a half above the other.  Barrel was already free-floated ahead of the forend lug.  O-ring did not help.  Shooting without forend did help.  RTV silicone bedded the forend, and problem was solved. 
Duane