Last weeked I traded in my .243 HB and .22 Hornet Handi rifles at the Kittery Trading Post. I got $255.00 for the pair, which I didn't think was bad because I only paid $188 new for the .243 and $150 for the Hornet when I bought it used.
I used the proceeds to buy a new .223 HB Handi, a 40 rd box of Winchester 45 gr JHP ammo, and a pair of A-Zoom aluminum snap caps. After tax, I had to throw in another $0.39.
Friday evening I cleaned out the new .223 (I got hundreds of metal particles out of the receiver). I also polished the bore and chamber with Flitz.
Sat. morning I mounted a Bushnell 3200 Elite 4-12X40AO scope with high Leupold Rifleman rings (the same set up I had used on the .243) and went to the range Sat. afternoon.
After two ~103 yd groups to get the rifle sighted in, I shoot three consecutive 3-round groups measuring .74", .53", and .94", for an average of 0.737". Not bad for a mediocre shot, a lousy sandbag, a new rifle, and factory ammo!!
I've figured out the deal with buying Handi rifles. The .243 had a small gap between the barrel and receiver. I think that killed accuracy. The gun would give me an occassional sub-1" group and then would shoot 2"-4" groups with the same ammo (even when giving cooling off time between shots).
I looked over numerous Handi rifles on the rack at KTP. Most had no vissible gap (when held up to the light) between the barrel and receiver. One or two had gaps (one .223 Survivor was particularly sloppy).
The new .223 has no vissible gap between the barrel and receiver. Also, the forend fits tightly and must be pulled off with some effort, unlike the forend on my .243. I think the tight barrel fit is key to good accuracy.
I am ambivalent about having traded in the hornet. It shot fine with iron sights, but I thought it was redundant with my .22 Mag Ultra. I wish I had kept it, though, because it would have made a good platform gun for a rechamber project.
