.243 cal and handi questions

[DesertVet]

Just joined here but a longtime lurker. I bought an SB2 Synthetic Handi in .243 before I went to war. I'm back now and can play with it again. The trigger is horrible, and the best groups I've got are more like 5" patterns, using Federal Supremes, Remmington Core-loct and Winchester 100gr. factory ammo. I have installed the O-ring on the forend but havent shot it yet. I always shoot at the bench, with the FRAME on the bag, trying for consistancy. I always shoot cold barrel. My scope is well mounted, and the scope rail shows no problems. I know these particular Handi's are finicky. I AM doing my part, I can group my M16 into one hole @ 100m.
 
I am thinking of sending the rifle back for a new caliber, because the .243 handis seem to be most finicky topic listed here. Is the .243 really adequate for whitetails? Can I use 85 grain ammo and still anchor my buck? Shots where I hunt are about 180 yds. max. I am mechanically inclined, but should I try the trigger job myself? I know this is alot of ?'s, so thanks to all for your help!!

"We will NOT waver, tire, falter, or fail-Peace and Freedom will Prevail."

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard!!! And thank you for your service and committment!!:agree: :agree: :agree:

It's not a Superlight barrel, is it? They are particularly sensitive.

Read the sticky "Cleaning and Hand Lapping our Handis" it's got some good pointers, mainly polishing/lapping the bore to reduce fouling and the number of rounds required for break in.

A Handi will take upwards of 200 rounds down range to settle down, maybe more. It won't shoot it's best until you get pretty much no jacket fouling when cleaning.

The polishing will reduce that to less than 100 rounds, sometime a lot less depending on how rough the bore is.

If your barrel is warm, it's not going to group well, but if it consistently will put the first round where you want it and a followup round close or touching, it's probably as good as you're gonna get, in my experience. The 3rd round will almost always go away from the rest of the group, but still keeping your group under 1".

You'll probably find that your Handi will shoot best from a fouled bore, the first few rounds from a clean bore may be inconsistent.

Both the Federal Hi Shok(Power Shok now) 100gr and Fusion 85gr shoot less than 1" in my .243 Ultra, none of the premium Federal ammo shoots good.

85gr to 100gr controlled expansion bullets from the .243 will work fine when placed well with good shot angles.

The trigger job is easy once you know all the steps, the instructions by  Perklo and Raynor are as good as you'll find. Making a template out of ¼" clear plexiglas will aid removing the frame pins without scratching the frame....or have H&R do a trigger job when you send it in for another barrel!! :wink:

[DesertVet]

Quick
it IS a superlight. I am very fond of not humping anymore weight in a rifle than I have to, and love shooting singleshots (hey, one shot-one kill).

So should the barrel be lapped then? I have 150 rounds through it.
How long (time) to do a decent trigger job?

Oh, anymore handi/Iraq vets in this forum?

Thanks!!!! :gun4:

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etc., and old too[/quote]

[quickdtoo]

Read Perklo's thread in the FAQ on his Superlight experience, although his has a wood stock. Also, look for posts by HowardNZ, he has a Superlight that shoots good, also.

I would clean it well with a good copper solvent to get all of the copper fouling out of it, until your patches come out with absolutely no blue or green. If you don't get a lot out, the bore is probably already as polished as it's gonna get. If there is a lot of fouling, after it's gone, polish according to the Sticky info. If you polish with the fouling in there, you'll be polishing the copper and the parts of the bore that didn't collect the copper.....not a good scenario!

 The Superlight has a checkered reputation, some good, most bad. The thin barrel doesn't deal with heat real well and the .243 caliber doesn't keep its cool well, even in a bull barrel.

If you're willing to take a $15 gamble, try a Sims Deresonator on the barrel. I've try one on my .243, it made no difference, but it already shoots good. Mac11700 tried one on his b..bo....bol....weatherby, it reduced his groups from about 2" to less than 1" with no other changes, so it may be worth a try with the SL barrel.

http://limbsaver.com/limbsaver/firearms/barrelderes.aspx

I've done a lot of trigger jobs on Handis/Ultras/Sportsters, I have 16 frames and 24 barrels, so my experience isn't the norm.....but, my first one took about 2 hours or a little less including making the slave pin. They take well less than an hour now, start to finish. I usually get a trigger that weighs on a lyman trigger scale of anywhere from 2lbs2oz to 3lbs 6oz with a minimal amount of honing and polishing of the pins and bores.

Making a plexiglas template with 3/16" and 3/32" holes drilled in it to clamp on the frame with a hole over a pin to keep the punch from scratching the frame is almost mandatory, though. The Trigger sticky will show you the way. And for more info on R&R of the trigger group, go to www.perkloafm.com and download his .pdf files for extreme detail of a trigger job.

There have been a couple Iraq vets posting here and on the Marlinowners board, but not for a while.

[Norseman112]

Hello and Welcome DesertVet.

My .243 shoots less than sub moa(mine is standard barrel). Some of .243 super lights are more work to get shooting than others for sure. I think some guys are getting there handi rifles back in a couple of weeks ....so turn around time isnt to bad.
Thanks for your service to our country.  
Take care,

Norse

[quickdtoo]

How long (time) to do a decent trigger job?

If you mean turn around time to send one in, that depends on how busy they are....and I don't know if anyone has sent one in without a barrel order, just for a trigger job....but...turn around for warranty work is usually a week or 2, same as of lately for barrel fitting....depending on shipping time, of course.

[Varminter]

I'd like to welcome you to the board. I would also like to thank you for your service.

As far as the 243 i can't really help you out. I did have a barrel but traded for my 44mag barrel before i shot a box of shells through it. About the only thing i can think of is look in the FAQs at Perklo's post.

[quickdtoo]

Here's Howard NZ's thread on his SL...

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=69409