Author Topic: New NEF .243 Handi Rifle (Read 710 times)

wbm · « **on:** November 04, 2005, 03:56:00 AM »

Bought a new NEF .243 Handi Rifle a few days ago. The first range experience after barrel breakin was less than pleasant. Federal Fusion
90g factory ammo shot 6 to 8" groups. Hmmmmm. Called NEF and they
said "send it back". Well I didn't want to give up that quickly so I floated
the barrel...it was awsomely tight on the forward part of the forend.
Next session produced 4" groups but it could hardly be called a pattern.
On to reloads. To date I have used at least five different powder types
and three weights of bullets...no luck! Best three shot group to date has
been 2.5". I have decided to name this rifle "The Beast." I can honestly say that it is the most inaccurate out of the box rifle I have experienced in over
40 years of shooting. Now most would probably sell the thing but I will
not give up until I make the beast shoot. Am I being naive here or just
stupid?

PEPAW · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2005, 05:28:02 AM »

I felt the same way with my .243, but finally gave up and tried another barrel. My .270 barrel so far looks really good on one sight-in trip with 1 of 2 kinds of ammo I have tried.
These guys can help you if you have the patience. And now I like my "beast".

pepaw

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2005, 05:48:50 AM »

Welcome aboard!

The .243 standard or varmint barrels are the most accurate of the bunch, usually, but the Superlight has a very checkered past. The Fusion only comes in 95gr, it shoots great in mine and lots of others here, with sub moa groups. Mine also shoots the 100gr Federal Hi-Shoks and Power-Shoks inside an inch. Handi barrels can take upwards of 200 rounds down range before they settle down, read all the stickys, specially the cleaning and lapping sticky, everything in there will help ya make a good shooter out of it. If it's a Superlight......good luck!

Airsporter · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2005, 10:34:32 AM »

So, why not just "send it back?"

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2005, 11:40:50 AM »

why not? because too few rounds have been put down range to allow that. I'm sure it'll just take 200 rounds or more, as quick said, and some tinkering

I fired my neighbors superlite .243 and from 25 out to 100yrd the POI stayed the same and down to 100yrds it was at least 1.5" with Federal Power-Shoks with no cooling allowed between shots.

wbm · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2005, 03:00:27 AM »

I'm not sure what NEF would do if I sent it back. The lock up is tight and the
barrel is really quite well finished. I can shoot 10 rounds of factory and it cleans with three wet patches of shooters choice with no remaining copper. There is no head-space problem tha I can detect. Yesterday I applied forend pressure and got five shot groups down to 1.5"...used an odd combination of
44g of H4831 Extreme with a 87g Hornady V-Max bullet seated just short of the lands. Maybe the "Beast" can be tamed after all. Thanks for the replys guys.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2005, 07:42:53 PM »

As you have seen, and I have found as well, the OAL of the bullet can have a very large effect on a cartridges accuracy. Every time I begin loading for a rifle for accuracy, I make up a case for my stoney point gauge. This allows me to see the max OAL for any given bullet in that guns chamber. I like my bullets 5-7 thousands off the rifling. BUT BEWARE, if you are the lazy sort, who doesn't keep his guns chambers clean this could cause problems.

The 243 has been on my wish list, in a Handi for far too long!!! I would go for the Ultra Hunter 22"or Varmint 24" both in a heaver contour.

Good luck with it!!

CW

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2005, 07:58:19 PM »

CW, you'll find that you'll have problems reaching the lands on some H&R/NEF calibers, they don't make bullets long/heavy enough for some of em!!! My 7x64 has the better part of a ½" of bullet jump with 175gr Grand Slams seated just barely in the case! That's a worse case scenario, but others approach that.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2005, 08:05:59 PM »

Yea,
I know what you mean!! My 25-06 is also simularly chambered. The 87 grainers cannot be seated as long as I would like either!!
Actually I need the 117/ 120's to keep better than .125 in the case!
The point is still valid. OAL and a clean bore, are the two biggest, contributor's to a cartridages overall accuracy.

CW

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2005, 04:26:29 AM »

WBM:

I had the 24" Ultra-Varmint barrel...and didn't have a bit of problem seating out to the lands with the CT 95 grain Silver Ballistic Tip...the barrel was hand lapped...the chamber polished..lock up was super tight...and accuracy...with these check the groups fired with them...these were fired as fast as I could load them and with 3 different weight powder charges...which are written on the target.. shoot...http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=62494&highlight=3006+ultra+comp

I sold the barrel to mitchell...and he's doing quite nicely with it with the handloaded 55 grain CTSBT's..1/4-1/2" groups...all loaded just off the lands...

I didn't get to shoot the Fusion thru mine...it wasn't available when I shot this group..I had gotten some of the first 30-06 ammo to hit the dealers from a company rep and as you can see by the 30-06's grouping...mine liked them a-lot... Quickdtoo has had great luck with his using this Federal ammo in his...and will do MOA quite easily...try some Reloader 22 and the 95 grain CT Silver BT...and see how it does...all of this line has always done exceptionally well for me...and is usually the first bullet I try on a new barrel after lapping it the way I do...I have found the pressures and velocity is down quite a-bit with them..so don't be surprised when you can go over a bit with them from the book loading..it's one of the characteristics of the Lubalox coated bullets ...and they seem to do better loaded on the warm side..the 42.5 grain load seemed to show the most promise

Mac