I want to love it but it don't shoot

[MnMike]

As a Contender nut, I like single shots. As a reloader, I like to try a bunch of cartriges. I thought the Handi would be a great addition. I bought a 243. I was planing two more barrels for it. I can't get the thing to shoot. I have epoxy bedded the scope mount. I have put a grommet in the forend. I rest it at the hinge on the bench. I will get a couple of shots in a couple of inches, then miss the paper.

I admit to being a better shot with a pistol than a rifle. All my Contenders group at less than an inch at 100 yds (down to 3/8" with my .223). My best rifle groups tend to be in the 1.25" range with my only other high power rifle. a BAR 30-06. The performance of the Handi does not make me feel like buying more barrels.

Comments?

Thanks in advance,

mike

[lostsniper308]

ummmmm the best i can suggest would be fore-end screw tightness or bedding style. thing about handis is that thier not all alike so some things may or may not work. try a different load too, lighter bullets seem to be the best.

[quickdtoo]

Good luck if it's a superlight, they can be a real pain. If it is a superlight, check out Perko's thread in the FAQ.  My .243 Ultra loves 100gr Federal Power shoks and 95gr Fusion, will shoot moa or better every time. How many rounds down range so far??

[jbtazgrabber]

tried most of the 100 grain bullets in mine couldnt hit broad side of the barn from inside the barn....went to 86 ??grain hornadys and woo lookie at what i ...found a shooter.....cant remember the powder...sorry...jb

[Mac11700]

What barrel and loads are you using...?

Mac

[millwright]

My 243 will not shoot factory loads very well.   I shoot either 85 gr. sierra bthp or 87 grain hornady and it does very well for what it is.  I also put a 1/8 thick o ring over the barrel stud.  It doesn't shoot like my 700 vs 22-250, but it does what I want it to do.  It is my truck gun.

[hylander]

I feel your Pain:
My .223 don't group worth a Crap.
Although I haven't shot it again since I floated the barrel.
Everything else seems perfect

[MnMike]

I started with 75 gr - this was to be a coyote rifle. They were bad. I switched to 70 gr, they have been a bit better. I have been using 41 gr of Varget. I am going to try some 100 gr this weekend, probably with 4895.

mike

[lostsniper308]

no handi incurable some are just harder to detect the cause/effects.

[mt3030]

There may be a cure for all the ills, but I found two 243s not worth the tinkering time and headaches. And both were 24 inch varmiters. I finally went with a Remington 243 HB. I love my Handis, but only when they will shoot. I think it's a crap shoot with some calibers, sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. I've had great luck with my 25-06, 30-30s and 45-70s. You could not give me another in 243 or 308. Good luck.

Wally

[poncaguy]

My 243 is getting better the more I shoot it, wasn't worth a darn at first, but I just kept shooting and shooting and shooting, now it's getting real close to MOA......don't give up, I have a 44 mag that is bad too, but my other 11 H&R's are very good shooters.....

[coop2564]

Take forarm off and check to see if you have any play, if you feel any looseness between barrel and receiver when you hold stock only and shake it you probobly wont ever get it to shoot well. My 243 came from factory like that and I drove my self crazy trying to get it to shoot. I sent it back they put new barrel on and lock up was tight no play gun shoots 1.5'' groups now. You could'nt feel the play with forend on but with it off i could feel a bump shaking it. Dont know if it is your problem but it was mine. Like Ponuguy said shooting alot will help some my 308 went from 5'' group to moa with just 4 boxes of shells. But my 243 never did. It would jump 6 to 8'' between shots.