shooting loose

[elkslayer4x5]

Hello guys, I'm new to this board and to NEF rifles. I do'nt own one yet, but am thinking of buying an Ultra in 25-06. While reading these posts I came across Fred M's post on "6x47 back in the groove". And now am wondering if this is a common thing.Do the barrels shoot loose after a couple hundred rounds?

[Mac11700]

All Handi's will shoot loose over time to some degree or another...and it will depend entirely on the original fit started with...but..to answer your question...no...they genneraly don't shoot loose in a couple hundred rounds...Just make sure you have a good tight fit between the barrel and reciever to start with...Mine run between .001"-.0015"..and I haven't had any problems with them...

Mac

[elkslayer4x5]

   Well,thanks MAc, what causes them to shoot loose like that?

[Fred M]

Elkslayer.
If you read all the posts in "6x47 back in the groove" you will find some answers there. Not much to worry about since the gaps are easy to fix. My Handi went from a 1/2" to an 1-1/4" group in 300 rounds, most people think an1-1/4" group is just fine. And so does the factory. But me I am fuzzy. But you can spend 3x the cash and you won't have to worry about a 0.003" gap.

[aulrich]

I could have sworn that my first handi I had "shot loose", but it could have been a dud from the start. At its worst it actually rattled (it had a .006" gap,  but as Fred said even that one as loose as it was was easy to fix (I just made a shim with a piece of feeler guage). My second has not shown any loosening yet though it is just a 204 ruger. And my third (a 22 hornet) seems to be starting out the tighest (~.001" before I put it on layaway).

My guess on "shooting loose" is that there is a bur or high spot in the hindge system that flatens out somehow, either wear or the stress of firing. it's only .0015" between OK and not OK so it does not take much to hide an issue or make one. Though I think if it is to show up I would think it show up sooner than later.

[quickdtoo]

Even if one does shoot loose, which has happened, usually not long after purchase from some reports here, the factory was quick to fix them at no charge and free shipping......unless you live in Canada.....right Fred!!

Tim

[Fred M]

Yup Tim.
The gap fixing for us Canadian is up to us. We even have to fix the gaps we have between our ears, the ones that are not so easy to fix, huh

[quickdtoo]