.204 HR handi problems.

[Bison Butt]

I have had fits getting this rifle to shoot.
 History.
 I sent in my Buff classic reciever and had a factory mated 22" bull barrel , then put a Burris Fulfield scope on it. Due to the problems of taking it on and off so much to use the BC,.. I decided to buy a reciever and use the FAQ help to mate the barrel to it. I also added a nice thumb hole stock to it and it seems like it should be a shooter.
Problem #1..
It has always shown signs of pressure in the primer. Even with starting loads, I punctured a primer today.
#2
It won't group well, and it is inconsistant. Last time out it grouped well at 100 1", but poorly at 200 4-5"

Last Spring it did well with 32 grain bullets and when I went to 39 grain it did ok shooting Bench Mark.

Today it grouped poorly again, 2-4 " in a left to right string, with 39 grain bullets and starting loads, and signs of pressure on the primer. All holes are oblong indicating poor stabilization.

I'm begining to think that perhaps the combnination of the caliber and action type is detrimental to accuraccy. Maybe it will never shoot.

Do I have a problem I can't solve?

I'm beginning to suspect the hinge work is not good. It does lock up well and seems tight enough but there is something wrong and I don't know how to find it. I pulled the scope off to look at the bases and the mounts and base are not the problem.

Any help here? I have spent a lot of time building this rifle, working up loads, range time and still can't get minute of coyote. My AR, Ruger MII, Rem 700, gets 1 1/2" at 200m. You can see why I'm frustrated.

 Thanks,

 BB

[trotterlg]

Well, there are problems in the world that have no solutions.  You sound knowlegable about firearms, some times it is just far better to turn the rifle into a grape stake and move on.  I have done that my self, and, to tell the truth, after I did it I felt very good.  I find the H&R's to be fickle with high pressure rounds, the .243 being the worst.  I think they are just not ment for this type of loading, low pressure pistol type rounds seem to be what they really like.  Sorry you are having the difficulty, life is short (unless your are 19).  Larry

[moorepower]

I would recrown before I thew it away, but to a large degree I have to agree with Larry. Also alot of the .204's say they have a 1-12 twist but when measured exactly, are a little slower. Also if you have a pierced primer, you need to fix the cause of that, be it harder primers like the 7 1/2's or Wolf primers, or the CCI 450's. I would also double check the load data, because it sure sounds like a pressure problem, or a firing pin problem. Your H&R may not like Benchmark, Have you tried any thing else, such as H4895, WW 748, VV135, RL10? Some rifles like Hornady 32 grain or Berger 35 grain bullets better. Find why you are piercing your primers first, then a different load/bullet second.

[Bison Butt]

Thanks for the move on suggestion. I have some thoughts in that area also.

I don't know how you fix a pressure problem when you start with a suggested begining load. I think I used CCi 450's for primers.
 
I will double check the twist rate. I have tried Varget today with a begining load.

 Thanks,

BB

[cwlongshot]

When I read of good accuracy at 100 yet opening up groups at 200 the first thing I saw was stabilisation issues... Then you mention oblong holes. Run a tight patch thru the barrel and check the twist rate. This kind of problem is generally the load or the barrel. NOT the forend, or lock up. That's a consistent yet erratic flyer or a vert stringing.

Are these top loads? I mean near or above max book?  Mag primers should not be needed. Likely will not hurt anything either but could spike pressures a bit.  Are all your bullets boat tails?

I would start from scratch, CLEAN the barrel meticulously. Load a different powder, bullet and primer that you have before. Fire a couple shots into the bank and shoot for group. Don't shoot if it gets too hot. If you cannot hold your hand on the barrel its too hot to shoot for groups.

Good luck,
 CW

[Bison Butt]

The twist rate showed 1 in 12 3/4 Rather than 1 - 12.

BB

[gcrank1]

FWIW, small, light pills are so wind sensitive too.........you sound like you can shoot groups, and the other mentioned
rifles have worked, but, when you got the good 100yd. group and poor 200, did you shoot one of the other rifles (in as close a comparable cal.)  under the same conditions to see what it did at 200 that day? I often do this to see what Im capable of at the session, and to keep the frustration level down from an unproven rifle or load.
I agree with CW on it pointing to stabilization, but if you are already that light/short a projectile where can you go?

[moorepower]

A bad crown can cause a bullet to keyhole. CCI 450 primers are the perfect match for the .204, and you either have a pressure problem or a firing pin problem.