What .308 round is most accurate in your Handi Survivor?

[dm1333]

I've put 40 rounds of Federal 150 grain Power Shocks through mine so far and am not real impressed with the groups so far.  I haven't tried the O ring trick yet to float my barrel but the trigger is nice, crisp and light.  I have been shooting off a rest with the rest just forward of the hinge.

What round have you guys found to be pretty accurate in this gun?  I have been shooting the Federals to break the gun in because I got them for $10 a box.  I have a box each of Remington Core Lokt 150 and 180 grain rounds that I have not opened up yet.  Thanks.

Don

edit:  I think the rifle has a lot of potential, I just don't think that these particular Federals are doing the job.

[quickdtoo]

I have been shooting off a rest with the rest just forward of the hinge.

That may not be what you intended to type, but the rest needs to be behind the forend, under the frame just ahead of the trigger guard.

There are many tips in the FAQs that will help you get the best accuracy, simple things like how you pull the trigger can make a big difference, read the FAQs, then read it again, there are things in there that even old members have never read.

Tim

[dm1333]

Thanks, Tim!

What I typed about the rest and what I have been doing are two different things.  I've been poring over the FAQs too.  I'm just curious about what people are using with good results in .308.  I wanted to try some Federal Fusion but the local gun shop was out when I swung by there.  After reading some of the horror stories about Handi's and some of their problems I have been pleasantly surprised by the trigger on my Survivor and how negligible I think the recoil is.

If I can get a little input on what round these guns seem to like the most it would cut down on how much ammo I have to order over the internet.  Local ammo suppliers are limited to one gun shop, one store that sells guns along with lots of sporting goods, Dunhams and Wal Mart. 

[quickdtoo]

You have the right idea with trying the Rem and Federal ammo and using the inexpensive stuff to break it in, you just need to find what it likes, there's another 308 thread on factory ammo recommendations a page or two back, all you can do is try em, what works in one, may not work in another, rifles are as different from one another as their owners. Polishing the bore will save you some range time and at the cost of factory ammo now, a lot of money too, makes a lot of sense or cents!

Tim

[Jimbo47]

Try the Remington Core-lokts first since you already have them.

They shot pretty well from my Handi .243 and from what I read, it's a caliber that many consider the most finicky.

I didn't polish the bore since I was getting what I consider decent accuracy for me anyway!

Don't have experience with the 308, but Handi's seem to like those core-lokts, so I would try them, and then give the Federal Fusion a try!

I tried them because of all the positive reviews that ammunition received, and found that they did shoot the most consistent groups.

I shot about 5 different brands, and I could have saved some money had I stayed with the Fussion!

[dm1333]

Tim,

I read that thread about ammo and forgot that I even read it.  I have also been polishing the bore.

Jimbo47,

Thanks for the info on the Core Lokt and the Fusions.  This weekend I have a CPL class and a bench rest competition so hopefully next week I can give both of them a try.

[cgturner7]

I've settled on Federal Vital Shock with the 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.  My rifle seems to prefer the lighter bullets.  I tried Sellier and Bellot 180 gr but about half the shells would not eject.  Not a single Federal has failed to eject.  I've also done some experimenting with the Remington Reduced Recoil.  Definitely less recoil but is not as accurate as the ballistic tip.  I plan to buy a box of CoreLokts this month and give them a try.

[JKump]

Mine also likes the Federal Fusion rounds.  In my rifle the 180 grain Fusions are the most accurate.  I have tested the following rounds threw my survivor.  Federal Fusion 180 and 150 grain bullets, Winchester 150 grain Ballistic silver tips and both 150 and 180 grain REM Core Lokt.  Broke the rifle in using the 150 Core Lokt.  Also I have done the "o" ring tip and I changed out the survivor rear stock for a Monte Carlo stock, (bought from NEF).  I am VERY, VERY happy with mine.   I know it is expensive but try as many rounds as you can and find the right one for YOUR rifle. Oh yeah have fun shooting up that ammo.

[dm1333]

JKump,

It isn't so much that trying different rounds is expensive, I live in a pretty remote area and don't have a big selection of ammo to choose from.  Then there is my .22 LR bench rest competition, small game season is open, working out, etc.  I'll keep in mind the other rounds and weights you guys mentioned and shoot them when I get the chance.  I'm going to stick with the Survivor stock for now because it seems to fit me and it has a place to store all the stuff that normally goes into my pockets when I am out in the woods.

[quickdtoo]

Be sure to read the FAQs, lots of tips in there to help accurize your rifle. One thing that will reduce your range time and amount of ammo expended is to polish the bore as mentioned in the FAQs.

Tim