Author Topic: range report/questions (Read 527 times)

rp85 · « **on:** January 19, 2005, 03:08:28 PM »

hello;

purchased a "new" new england handi in .243 win. serial number np35xxxx. went to range today for a test run of reloads. 44 gr. of 4831 shot @3/4 in groups at 2900 fps. temp. was 48-50 deg., no wind.

did discover several items and a few questions. many speak of difficulty getting 100 gr. bullets to group. factory rem. oal is 2.650 in., the max. oal in the rifle is 2.789 in., my reloads oal are 2.720 in.

after 10 rounds fired the action opened when fired. cleaned all locking parts, found only a small amount of soot, but the action would then lock up. imr 4350 did not burn clean nor was the speed there.

did notice on several case a very slight amount of light could be seen at the top of action. is this a problem, not so good, bad? did have several case that the rifle refused lock up at all. got to be the reloaded case, but have no idea as to what is going on. now, any time i close the action any light can be seen the case is put aside. could someone explain whats going on. do i have a problem. thanks for any input.

rp

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2005, 03:56:37 PM »

Some 243's and 6mm Rem's are fairly sensitive to bullets weights. I had a 6mm Rem that I dearly wanted to shoot a 100 grain Nolser Partition. After a couple of boxes of bullets and several kinds of powder I wised up and tired the 90 grain Partition instead. In the end I settled on a 90 grain Nosler Partition over IMR 4064, MOA accurate and death on deer

JPH45 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2005, 04:06:01 PM »

I don't think 3/4" groups at 100 yards with 100 grainers at all shabby, I once had a Remington 788 in 243 that shot about the same as that. From what I have read here, that is a sight better than many have been able to get from their rifles. 3/4" at 100 is darn good for a deer rifle and the velocity of 2900 fps is nothing to be ashamed of either. That is about the velocity most sporting length 243 barrels get anyway. I think you have a good shooter there myself.

rp85 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2005, 02:15:48 AM »

hello;

i had some concern about a slight gap that appeared sometimes with some cases. discovered my reloaded cases were the problem. resizing cases for a bolt action rifle is one thing, for the handie you must be sure the entire case is resized. you must have enough lube on the case during resizing, if not the result could be a case not resized correctly and you get a small gap between barrel and breech.

happy with 3/4 in groups and 2900fps. imr 4831 burns clean, 4350 did not. r/p cases and fed. l/r primers.
rp

safetysheriff · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2005, 06:32:03 PM »

I would see that gap as a problem and am glad that you've decided to use full-length re-sizing as needed. In the long run it'll be worth it to fire a rifle safely/properly.

What primer are you using with the imr-4350 ? Although it's not the most energetic powder out there, it's a surprisingly (?) good powder in most applications where it's used. To me part of the surprise is how well it'll do out of a .30-06 at getting 150 gr' bullets to the 3,000 fps mark...which Ed Matunas wrote about some years ago -- with decent pressures.

SS'

dognot · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2005, 07:11:14 PM »

If you want a good Varmit load, try IMR 4064 with 60 grain Sierra Hollow points, Very good coyote load, and suprisengly good on pelts. I have never had the problem with not closing in my Handi's, I use Lee collet dies & neck size most all of my shells.