Author Topic: The 257 Roberts Handi had to stay home, continued. (Read 798 times)

Fred M · « **on:** March 08, 2007, 12:57:53 PM »

Today after 1-1/2 years lay off, the 257R went back to shoot again like it did before. It was a miserable day at the range, mud, water, ice and snow slush and a cold very cold wind blowing.

I only fired three shots one fouling shot out of the clean barrel. All three very close together but the first one low and a bit left. The other two 1" higher and nearly touching. All three would have made a deer kill way out.

The 257 Handi will as of now be used only for business, no more gopher shooting or plinking. I can't stand tightening the action every 150 rounds. I also installed a new latch spring I got from Tim, which seems to work well.

When the weather gets nice I will sight the 257R in again, it is out a few clicks.

And what about the ejectors on my two Handi's? They kick out the empties every time, what do you know about that. I am glad I am not buying any more Handi's with the extractors, I have seven single shot rifles and all have ejectors.

.

McLernon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2007, 01:16:48 PM »

Hi Fred:

You folks are lucky to get a break in the weather.

Here it is miserable. Wind, snow, ice cold. No range time for me since Christmas break. But the weather man is predicting a warming starting tomorrow. I certainly have enough ammo reloaded. But I don't have enough gun cases to carry all my guns to the range. I'll post a range report if I get out this weekend. Looking forward to shooting my 204 for group.

Mc

MSP Ret · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2007, 02:06:51 PM »

Well I'd like to get some shooting in but the weather man is predicting record lows tonight and tomorrow morning, single digits all around and high wiinds, they are here already. The record is -6 (F) in Worcester, Mass about 100 miles away as a March 7-8 record, they say they may not break that record but will get close. So much for Mr. algores global warming theory. Oh, thats right, he and Mrs. Clinton, and Osama Obama will be sure the Government will take care of us, right after they take all our guns away and then make us give them all our money (increased taxes). By the way have you read my signature line? I believe it!!!....<><....

Fred M · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2007, 05:42:34 PM »

As a side note, it is doubtful I will be shooting again for quite a while, since my second knee operation is coming up in two weeks. That means May before I be able to walk without crutches.

Besides the Handi I checked out two old Ruger #1, a 243 and a 257 Roberts, these two rifles are +- 25 years old and still shoot 1/2 and 3/4 five shot groups even with doubtful looking bores and throats.

We had quite a bit of sun and moderate above freezing temperatures during the days. The Chinook wind is blowing melting the snow like crazy.

On my way to the gun club I saw several thoused Canada geese in a stubble field, did not know they were already migrating? So spring is here for sure

MSP Ret · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2007, 06:03:17 PM »

Fred take care of yourself and the knee buddy, at least you can still use the computer while you recuperate, we will still have the pleasure of your company and your knowledge and expeirence to guide us. Those warmer Chinook winds are supposed to reach here by Saturday with temps reported to be up in the 40's by next week, what a change, below 0 to over 40 in a day. They say there is never much of a spring here on Cape Cod, being surrounded by water as we are, it usually seems to go from winter to summer in a couple of days. Best of luck on the surgury Fred, perhaps they could give you a local and you could assist the Doc in the operation, it might at least be interesting to watch....<><....

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2007, 06:17:24 PM »

Yeah the weather was pretty rough down here in Bama today also. I think it only made it to about 73 for a high. Oh well it's a tough life but someone has to do it so it might as well be me.

Fred M · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2007, 06:19:09 PM »

Andy
Thank you for the encouragement.
They give me a local but they wont let me watch. You can hear the hammer and the power saw and the drilling. You don't have any idea where it is done.

It only takes 45 minutes for total knee replacement and you get a light shot of induced sleep. The pain after is awful and it don't stop until 4 weeks gone by.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2007, 06:54:23 PM »

Fred...

I pray your surgery goes well for ya...and that your up and going pain free super fast...

Mac

Fred M · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2007, 08:11:42 PM »

Thanks Mac.

It is never over until it is over, not much sleep and pain is what keeps you alert

I wish it was over, a blood clot or an infection is always on your mind. Following Dr. instructions to a T and the help of my good wife plus the lord really speeds up recovery. Ok now no more sick talk.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2007, 02:10:04 AM »

Here's hoping for a successful surgery and speedy recovery Fred. Good luck to you and your good wife.
bigjeepman

FLASH ... weather bulletin just came in ... 68 degrees and sunny today with 5 mph winds ... We're off to see the ~~Wizard~~ range, the wonderful ~~Wizard~~ range of OZ bjm's ...

PartsMan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2007, 03:42:17 AM »

Man that 257 handi sounds like a really neat gun.
Just about perfect for white tail.

mattparliament · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2007, 05:33:46 AM »

Fred~

did you get a chance to try the JB stick (not weld)? It has a higher compression rating than the devcon and may serve you better, just a thought.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2007, 05:44:56 AM »

Matt, I'm not convinced that JB Stik is better than JB Weld, Sitk's compressive strength is rated at 10-14kpsi, so that leads me to believe there are some variables involved in how it's rated. The compressive strength of JB Weld is 10.7kpsi. I have 4 rifles with JB Weld shims in them right now, only 2 of em have been to the range, a .500S&W and a .300WSM, so far after about 30 rounds thru each, they still lock up tight, so it looks very promising.

Tim

mattparliament · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2007, 06:01:25 AM »

That's great, I just really enjoyed the usability of it, just grease up the big pin, put some putty on there and press the works together and let it cure, no metal shims required and it has to be a perfect formed fit. Just my $.02

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2007, 06:15:48 AM »

I tried the JB Stik on 3 fittings, two of em fell out afterwards, so there's a problem with adherence, which I haven't had with the Weld, the other one I ended up removing with a file, it seemed wood like or spong like in comparison to the Weld, so I don't really have any confidence in it. Maybe mine is defective or too old, but my money is on the Weld at this point, if it holds up to the .500 and .300 WSM, it will work with any standard caliber. I also don't rely on the epoxy behind the shim to hold it in place, I bend the shim over the end of the underlug so even if the material under the shim degrades, it'll still be held in place.

I re-fitted the .270 Ultracomp barrel with a .026" SS shim to replace the original JB Welded shim that was holding up fine with what little I shot it, about 15 rounds IIRC, I didn't feel comfortable with as much JB in it as there was, I think having a fitted steel shim in combination with the reinforced insert to fill the void in the pivot is the best way to go for the home do--it-yourselfer without machine shop intervention.

Tim

Fred M · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2007, 06:53:51 AM »

The problem is not with the different type of patching material or shim stock, it's the underlying underlug that gives away. If you put in a 3 or 4 thou shim and develop a 3 thou gap again the shim is still there and it is not flattend out to nothing.

With the Devon Steel it is the same, the Devon Steel is still there same thickness.
It is impossible to compress 0.003" Devcon Steel into nothing. It is not a plastic substance when it is set up, therefore it can't be squeesed out the sides.

The more permanent remedy is to mill off the underlug to the small pin and weld on a block of good steel. Remove the .375" hinge pin and replace the pin with a larger 0.406" pin(13/32 that would increse the bearing area by about 10%, considering a 45 deg bottom area.

A 13/32" end mill cutter would do both the hinge pin and the new seat. 3h machine shop time would do it for $180. It would take me a day to do it.
So the answer is keep doing the putty job or quit buying Handi's. H&R is not going to do something about the soft underlug.

Mattparlament.
That is about the same way I do it, its ok for a while.

hellacatcher · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2007, 07:11:14 AM »

Fred the best thing I have done with my little problem is doing what the Doctors told me. You have been down that road before so you already know what it is like. Good luck.

McLernon · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2007, 02:58:03 PM »

Fred how is it that a 257 yields the lug every 150 shots but NEF sells 30-06 routinely. Are you loading hot or have you just got an extra 'soft' lug?

Mc

Fred M · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2007, 06:09:48 PM »

No I am not loading hot 45.5 gr IMR 100gr Hot core moly plated which reduce starting pressure by 0.66 from 3.6ksi to 2.4 ksi, total P= 52.5ksi or a bit less. I am not the only one shooting the underlugs loose. I am shooting a lot more than most people do, that is maybe the cause.

The 257R Ruger #1 is loaded to max at +P 58ksi .

safetysheriff · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2007, 01:15:22 AM »

fred'

i hope your surgery goes well. just plan on taking it easy and enjoying the little things around the home.

i will pray for you as i think of you and enter this site.

ss'

db22 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2007, 02:41:49 AM »

Fred -- best of luck with your knee surgery; hope you are back on your feet very soon. You're mighty lucky to have a .257R Handi. Is that a custom-made barrel, or did the factory offer .257R in the past? I've often thought that .257R or .250 Savage would be the perfect light-recoil deer caliber for my neck of the woods. Here in Wisconsin, deer are normally dropped at 100 yards or less, but sometimes you'll see one across an opening at greater distance.

Fred M · « **Reply #21 on:** March 10, 2007, 05:51:02 AM »

db22.
Item 12-17 will tell all about my Handi's and the 257R.

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/indexcont.html

SS.
Thanks for the best wishes. The month long pain is murder.

carbineman · « **Reply #22 on:** March 10, 2007, 08:14:04 AM »

Hey Fred, God speed to you. It is hard to keep a Handiman down.

mattparliament · « **Reply #23 on:** March 10, 2007, 03:22:55 PM »

well, if you can't be on your feet, just as well be at the reloading bench, good luck buddy