Accuracy problems with 270 Handi Rifle

[rick richard]

My 270 Handi rifle will shoot groups as much as 16 inches off vertically at 100 yds.  I have free floated the barrel / forearm using a soft spacer and shot just about every brand of ammo / weight. I have also replaced the scope twice.  Can anyone help? I really like the rifle and don't want to get rid of it[/list]

[Mac11700]

Welcome Aboard

16" verticle displacement...wow :eek:

Boy...where to start...first off...is this a new or used rifle...is it a barrel replacement you had done...or someone else...when you hold it up to the light...do you see any light between the barrel and the reciever when it's fully closed...have you checked the crown to see if it has been damaged...and is it shooting these kind of groups from a cold barrel,does it shoot the same every time...


Mac

[aulrich]

Something sounds wrong and likely with the lock-up. If you don't have get yourself a feeler gauge set (Automotive store usually use to measure spark plug gaps) if you take the .002" and put the bottom edge though the middle of the firing pin hole you should be able to close the action but not pull it out without resistance. I am not sure but I would be thinking about sending it in if a .003" feeler slips out, or at least a call to NEF would be in order.

If you gun passes the feeler gauge test. there is a couple of other things.

1. Most experience the best accuracy when resting very near to the hinge pin(but not always).

2. Just because you added the spacer your barrel may not be free floated, sanding may be required.

3. If it is free floated and still shoots bad try to fully bed the forearm. You can simulate this with card stock slipped into the barrel channel.  Make sure to check all possibilities, forward or back of the barrel lug or both at the same time.

With my 243 ultra when the gun was closed I could move the barrel, it would actually rattle if I shaked it, the barrel release will rattle so put your thumb on it when you shake it.

[Duce]

RR: Start with the basics, over the years don't know how many times a rifle has went sour, only to find the scope rail had come loose. I bought a Handi .270 that shot shotgun size groups, found the scope rail was mounted with screws to long to tighten! Hope This Helps: :-) <>< Duce:

[corelokt308win]

I'm not sure if you're saying it shoots a group 16 inches wide, or if it shoots 16 inches to the side of a bore sighted zero?  If it's shooting either though, I've found N.E.F./H&R to always be very good about customer support and service, call them and see if sending it in for inspection is in order.  I'd also check the crown for any wear or nicks to the rifleing.  The forearm bedding is as said often an issue, as is resting the forarm on something hard.  Most generally it seems best to rest the forarm on an open hand or a sandbag.  Does it shoot such groups if you let the barrel cool between shots?  If so it's a forearm issue.  If not look at the crown and the reciever fit.  Have you cleaned the bore of any grease, copper or leading?
  If the issue is it shooting so far off from the boresighted zero, there are many rings which allow you compensate for misalignment, but I'd remove and remount everything first, maybe a good idea anyway.  Lap the rings unless they're burris with the inserts, keep the right ring caps with the right ring lower halves.  I had a Hornet barrel that was pitted and the factory replaced as they said they made some barrels way back that were of bad steel, is yours old or newer? Best of luck.

[rick richard]

The rifle is new and the first three to five shots are usually high. From that point on, the impact can be low at the edge of the target or below the target at 100 yds.  This same pattern repeats itself with different shooters. I have shot over 200 plus rounds with the same results.

[Longcruise]

I have shot over 200 plus rounds with the same results.

10 boxes of ammo at an average of 13 bucks a box and it's still all over the board!  So much for the economical Handi rilfe :twisted:

Seriously speaking, that kind of performance is probably going to come down to scope mount or defective lock-up.  Scope mount you can check yourself and if it's not the problem send it back to NEF!

[tscott]

I agree with the return idea. Some years ago I had the same issue with a .308. Some gruff lady at NEF: "Sometimes we make a bad one...Send it back we'll make it right or give you a new one"! I don't even know
if I got the same barrel back, but it's fine now, and is a nice backup deer rifle, to my 99f!