Making My Handi into a Real Target Rifle

[Good Keen Man]

Can this be done? I am guessing that a stock conversion to a proper heavy duty target style stock is the first thing. Is the Choate Target Stock the way to go? I can't see any photos of this stock - does anyone have one? Then of course is the caliber. My Handi is a S/S 243. Is that the way to go for Centre Fire premimum accuracy? If not what is the one to choose?

Any help greatly appreciated!

[quickdtoo]

There's the Choate Varmint stock if that's whatcha mean, most folks like it, the forend works well with a bipod. Stocks are available at Choate and Midway, dunno if they ship to NZ tho.

Tim

[quickdtoo]

There's also GSI's stocks...

http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web%20pages/Plate%20Pic's/NEF%20stocks/Handi-rifle%20stocks.htm

[Good Keen Man]

thanks - the target rifles that I see around have those crazy oversized stocks. I guess it is total accuracy that I am after and ability to adjust for perfect fit. Does anyone do one of those totally adjustable traget style stocks for Handis? I guess the nxt thing is the trigger - adjust weight way down? also what calibre is best for Olympic style competitions?

[Datil]

 Goodkeenman, I can not tell anything H&R- NEF's into a target rifle, But
 I want to extend a Welcome to GBO forums, come often stay late.
 Isn't it  mid summer in N Z now? What iis the high temperature where you live?
 Marv.

[quickdtoo]

Morgan makes an adjustable butt pad, triggers can be reduced to under a pound by a good gunsmith, I have one at 21oz, that's fine for me for a bench gun, but others have gone to 6oz, see the trigger info in the FAQs. The stocks I pointed you to are as close as you'll find as far as I know, take a look at the "Lets' see some Handis" link in the FAQs, there are 4 pages of pics, maybe you'll see something that you like. You can also make your own forend as Stimpy and a couple others have done.

Tim

http://www.cabelas.com/information/HuntingOptics/MorganAdjustableRecoilPad.html

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=8740&title=ADJUSTABLE+RECOIL+PAD

[LaOtto222]

I am not exactly sure what you mean by "real target rifle". I will probably be blasted for saying this in this forum...If you meant that you want to shoot competition bench rest, I am afraid the while the Handi rifle is a good and accurate set up, it will not compete with top bench rest rifles. Depending on the distance shot at 100, 200 600, 1000 yards would influence your caliber selection. The cartridge selection in a Handi does not include some of the top bench rest cartridges. The 6mm BR or the 6mm/224 PP, 6.5-08, or even the 222 Remington. First off; the Handi is a break open (two piece) design. While simple, fairly strong and accurate, it will not stand up to a good 1 piece stock design for shot to shot consistency. The Handi rifle can and does shoot under .5 MOA, that is not nearly good enough for competition. It is a break open action. Breaking open the gun and reapplying it to the bags does not induce the best accuracy. Guns do best if you leave every thing exactly the way it is shot after shot. It will beat most bolt action rifles, but not special designed ones. If you want it for your back yard or maybe even local club shoots, you may have a chance. If this is your aim, then I think the laminated fore ends are the way to go. They give more options with bedding and pressure against the action (can be shimmed or shaved). They will not warp very much to help keep them more consistent. I do not think the stock makes a whole lot of difference, just one that fits your style of shooting and personal tastes. Many find that resting the action on the bags gives you the best accuracy, but not always. I have given some thought about twin rails that would attach to the underside of the action and run parallel to, but outside of the fore end (similar to mounting a folded Bi-pod to the action). This way the action could be opened and still rest the barrel on the action and have the bags setting out toward the end of the barrel for a more steady and consistent resting point. It would be for bench work only, because it would be too heavy or unwieldy to use in the field. Good luck to you

[quickdtoo]

Thanks LaOtto, I didn't wanta be the bad guy with the bare bones truth of the matter, one man's target rifle is another man's ____!!

Tim

[Good Keen Man]

wow all great stuff. have been a member for a couple of years... yes it is Mid Summer here in NZ!

What would be a good target rifle to start with then?

[LaOtto222]

Tim - you always are the nice guy. I stick my foot it in too often and get burnt; got to learn not to do that some day

Good Keen Man - It depends on what kind of target gun you want. 100 bench rest guns are different than 1000 yard guns. Some common features are a custom actions, Jewel triggers, precision barrel, and specialty synthetic stocks. Some have reworked Remington actions to save a few bucks, but there is not much else that is stock. You are talking $2500 or more for a top gun so to speak. Go to bench rest central and do some reading to get an idea of what it will take. Good luck to you. Just an after thought you may want get into rim fire competition to start with. It takes less money and the completion is fierce...good training for center fire.

[Good Keen Man]

Thanx 222 - good advice.  The kind of comps they have here (at our local Deer hunting club) is called Combined Aggregate (made up of Prone, freestanding and maybe sitting I think - not 100% sure) so break open of Handi maybe not so much a "handi-cap"?

[aulrich]

If you could source it, Savage's F class gun, no too expensive I was reading a thread today where one of the 2008 models is either 6mm ppc or 6mm br I would have to dig around to find a link for it.

I really like my handi's I have a hard time putting target and handi in the same sentence (except maybe the big bore cowboy shooting).

[just bill]

Can this be done? I am guessing that a stock conversion to a proper heavy duty target style stock is the first thing. Is the Choate Target Stock the way to go? I can't see any photos of this stock - does anyone have one? Then of course is the caliber. My Handi is a S/S 243. Is that the way to go for Centre Fire premimum accuracy? If not what is the one to choose?

Any help greatly appreciated!

No...........not really,  unless you want to compare accuracy to other break action rifles only.  They are just not made to be bench paper punchers as compared to a heavy single shot bolt.

You can make it more accurate but not that accurate.

In regards to caliber a it depends on the range distance.  .243 would be a good 300 yard plus caliber.  For 100 yards with your limited choice factory calibers .223 would be a good choice.

Low recoil rifles punch paper more accurately, easier for most.


Personally,  if I were going to build a real bench handi rifle in a non wildcat.  I would opt for a .223 with a fast twist custom heavy barrel capable of shooting the high BC bullets.  Have the barrel stub ed.  Go laminate (additional weight) with a fore-end to ride rests/bags well,.  Accurize & bed all, target grade trigger and last a large Weaver target scope.  The other choice would be a .243 in a fast twist custom barrel.

They still would not shoot with a semi custom single shot target/bolt gun though but you could kick the pants off of every other break action out there and many low - med grade bolt action repeaters. 

[Mac11700]

There are a number of things you can do to make a semi-target grade Handi...but..as others have said..for competition..you would be much better off with a good bolt gun...That being said..the 243 bull barrels can be exceedingly accurate If bedded properly using one of the Handi rifle methods..shooting the rifle free recoil style..and having enough trigger weight to ensure you have consistent trigger pull..The last is one of the main things to remember about these rifles..no matter how they are held & fired..you have to pull thru the trigger each time in the same way to get these rifles to shoot consistently under 1/2"..Another thing..most bolt guns allow you to be able to shoot from a low position from the bench..to shoot free recoil with a Handi..you need to be sitting vertical or totally upright..and this will require elevating your front & rear rest a considerable amount..I use my index finger & place my thumb behind the trigger guard and squeeze them together completely and only use 1 finger from the opposite hand positioned in front of the scope to control the ride of the rifle..Doing this way allows you to pull thru the trigger without disturbing your sight picture..provided you have your rifle settled well enough in the bags so it can slide properly on recoil..It takes a lot more effort to make a Handi rifle shoot sub 1/2" groups than most bolt gun..and for casual competition..they more than capable of attaining good enough accuracy for you, provided you have learned to master them..not only at the shooting bench..but at the reloading bench as well...

Mac