HB .243 Handi Is a Shooter!

[Mainer]

Yesterday, I mounted my Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12X40 to my new HB .243 Handi and took the gun to the range for the first time.

This was my first attempt at mounting a scope and it went great.  Thanks to everyone for the scope mounting advice.  Thanks especially to Quickdtoo for the advice on leveling the crosshairs by using a small level to get the gun sitting flat and then sighting through the scope at a string with a weight on the end hanging down a wall.  That worked great.

I used a laser boresighter inside at home to get the crosshairs lined up with the bore.  (My wife insisted that I buy one!!   :grin:   She said it would take up less room around the house than a rifle rest!)

I didn't get to the range until nearly 4:00 pm (we had a snowstorm so I had to plow and shovel in the morning, do some chores around the house, then mount the scope).

I used Winchester factory 80gr pointed soft point ammo.  All of my shots were off sandbags.  Temp. 25 F.  No wind.

My 1st shot was at 25 yds.  It struck in the 10 ring, level and ~1" to the right of BDC.

My 2nd shot was at 100 yds.  It struck ~5.2" high and ~1.75" right of the bullseye.

After the 2nd shot, I adjusted the scope to bring the impact down and to the left.

Shots 3-5 grouped ~7/8" center-to-center, roughly 1" high and 1" right of BDC.

Five shots was all I had time for!  By shots 4 and 5 it was starting to get dim out.  I didn't take shot 5 until about 4:30pm.

A 3-shot, 7/8" center-to-center group, the first time at the range with the gun, using factory ammo, shortly before sunset, with an out-of-practice, mediocre shooter!  I think that says a lot about the gun.  A better shot probably could have grouped those 3 shots into 1/2".

My only complaint is the heavy trigger.  It breaks cleanly, but it is heavy.

[Good Keen Man]

I have been looking at buying the same scope, what do you think of it now that you have it mounted up? Also is your 243 S/S or Wood/Steel?

[Mainer]

I am pleased with the scope.  It has one of the best balances between field of view and magnification of any scope on the market.  It is also very clear and bright.  Upon close inspection, it is of quality construction.  I bought it from www.theopticzone.com for $239.  Cabelas wants $289 for the same scope.

My .243 is wood/steel (the heavy barrel ("HB") version).  It was a difficult decision between the wood/steel and the S/S.  Obviously, the durability of stainless steel over blued finish is better.  The S/S barrel is of smaller diameter and, therefore, is lighter.  However, I have heard negative things about the synthetic stocks (such as noticeable reverberation through the stock).

In favor of the HB is that it seems to shoot great with no modifications to the gun (such as floating the barrel).

[Badnews Bob]

Follow the trigger directions by Raynor and Perkelo, It isn't very hard I've done four now and have had great results. Just go slooooow the first one I did I didn't think I had taken very much off, when I put it back together...2.5lbs almost to light but it works the rest have been right at three. good shootin

[Mainer]

Part of me wants to do the trigger job myself.  Another part of my feels queasy about the idea.  But I also feel queasy about the idea of month-long turn-around time if I send the gun in for a factory trigger job.

I'm wondering if the trigger will improve if I pick up a set up snap caps and dry fire the gun about 500 times.

[Big Blue]

Mainer,
  The hardest part of the trigger job, is making the slave pin just right. You were given good advise when told to go slow. It doesn't take much to make a BIG difference. If for some reason, absolute worst case scenario, you did mess it up, Brownels sells any parts very cheaply. Don't sweat it, they are fun to do and a really good learning experience with your rifle. I'm glad to hear the .243 is shooting so well!
Don