Author Topic: Both loosey goosey and tight as a drum - .243 dilema  (Read 550 times)

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Offline catatonic

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Both loosey goosey and tight as a drum - .243 dilema
« on: November 21, 2012, 05:27:31 AM »
Just finished my hunting season - no luck - not even a sighting

I was carrying a handi SB2 frame from a 308 I already had,   mated to a .243 extractor barrel I  picked up just before the season - groups under 1.5 at a hundred with Remington 100 grain factory stuff - better than with the 308 barrel

Locks up like a bank vault.  Absolutely no lateral movement -  a .0015 feeler gauge (smallest I have) is solid between barrel and breech  above firing pin so it has be something less.   Latch release has plenty of play   “pops” back nicely when closing the action

Now compare that to when  the action is open - there is all sorts of play.   Clunky metal to metal contact.  The forend does not touch the frame - can see light all the way through - maybe 10-12 thou clearance between forend (synthetic) and frame.   

So here’s the question -  Should I care??   

Gotta believe the gun is ok to continue shooting - It locks up solid.   And if I start playing with the forend - bringing it into contact with the frame - I have to think it will affect accuracy - either good or bad - but will change

Should I take the off season to fiddle with it to reduce the play when open - or call it good to go?

Offline hoytcanon

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Re: Both loosey goosey and tight as a drum - .243 dilema
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2012, 05:52:08 AM »
The question of whether or not its "broke" is when the gun is closed and locked... not when it is open... if it is tight when closed... don`t touch what ain`t broke...  ;)
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Offline petemi

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Re: Both loosey goosey and tight as a drum - .243 dilema
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2012, 06:15:40 AM »
That's exactly what i would do......Nothing 8)

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Offline geezerbiker

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Re: Both loosey goosey and tight as a drum - .243 dilema
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2012, 08:52:12 AM »
I would take the off season to develop some hand loads for it too see if you can tighten up the groups.  However I enjoy reloading and I feel it rounds out the shooting experience. 

Tony

Offline mechanic

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Re: Both loosey goosey and tight as a drum - .243 dilema
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2012, 11:16:45 AM »
Shoot it.  Next season maybe at a deer.  Don't fix what ain't broke. :D
 
Ben
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Offline catatonic

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Re: Both loosey goosey and tight as a drum - .243 dilema
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2012, 03:53:41 PM »
That's exactly what i would do......Nothing 8)
That's perfect advice - My wife says I'm the best at doing nothing ....
Sure sounds like its not a problem.  I guess I had over thunk it based on the threads in the FAQ's talking about how to shim forends for a "gentle" opening etc
I would take the off season to develop some hand loads for it too see if you can tighten up the groups.  However I enjoy reloading and I feel it rounds out the shooting experience. 
I do reload - but for my 38 special plinker as a cost saving thing.  Never really did a work-up for accuracy - but  this one shows enough promise I might give it a try
Thanks guys