7mm-08 before/after accurizing

[slicksilverslk]

I decided to try my hand at accurizing my 7mm-08 Handirifle using the techniques posted in the forum. I shimmed the action, then bedded it with steel putty
(expensive, have some - a lot - left over) finally adapted a bronze gate bushing (Tractor Supply / Home Depot sources) for the forearm pillar. I discarded the o-ring idea after
trying it too. The rifle action was loose before and is now seems much tighter. As you can see in the pics, there is little difference in accuracy at 100 yards. I also fired 20+
rounds at another target and there were two distinct groups. Strange!? The two groupings probably have to do with barrel harmonics.
I used my hand loads (same for all targets) that seemed to perform well. I am a little confused and somewhat disappointed that the accuracy did not improve.
I will likely keep the rifle because where I hunt, most shots are 30-100 yards in the thick pine forests. I suppose if I have to shoot more than 100 yards, I better get
something else. I replaced the Leupold scope with a holographic sight. It is easier on old eyes: just put the red aim point on the deer and shoot.
I have a 223 Ultralight that I was going to do the same process. It shoots okay as is, so I'm not planning to do anything to it now: 1 inch group at 100 and a 5 inch
group (stringy) at 250 yards with the same ammo (hand loaded).
I would be interested know others experience with making the H&R more accurate. It didn't happen for me but maybe someone else has had better results. This forum has
many good ideas and suggestions for the H&R. It seems like a good rifle. In fact a friend has a 243 that he claims is a tack driver out of the box. Mine were used. I may try
another someday.
Take care and good shooting.
Slick

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard, Slick! Let's get back to basics just to eliminate the usual suspects, did you read and follow the Handi Basics about trigger pull and how the rifle is rested each time it was shot? Did you shoot it without the forend on? Was the scope replaced before the second range trip? Holographic sights have a lot of parallax error and the dot reticle is usually too big to shoot tight groups at 100yds. Lots of unknown variables here to blame the rifle at this point, IMO. 

Tim

[slicksilverslk]

A few other details about the shooting that may better inform those who read the initial post:
Before and after were with the same scope (Leupold 2-7x) mounted w/o removal during the accurizing process. 
I followed the FAQ on trigger, latching/closing, etc.
I have not fired either of my rifles w/o the fore end.
Both were fired from a quality bench rest. I shoot 22LR competition and use the same equipment. The rest was placed close to the hinge.
The 7mm-08 was had torsional looseness before; none today (good, I think). The action dropped open easily; now it is stiffened but opens w/o some drag.
Rifle feels better than before (I know, that's not quantifiable). I'll keep it.

BTW, if you have a chance, try the ATM UltraSight. One of the six choices, the cross w/dot: the dot is 1MOA. Even with bad eyes, I can almost focus like years ago.
My eyesight is better than many but is not what it once was. Months ago, I shot a respectable 3-shot group with open sights at 500m using a WWI 8mm Mauser (1917).

Shoot well. Shoot often.
Slick

[45carbine]

Hello Slick
Sorry to hear the accuracy is still not there despite your efforts. I am not a gunsmith but had the following thoughts.

The vertical stringing but in two groups would seem to indicate that the barrel has reasonable accuracy, just it is changing vertical point of impact. I remember reading some wheer that this handi action likes 'up' pressure (i think 15lb's) on the barrel. Have you tried placing any spacers between the forend and barrel past the lug?

[slicksilverslk]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try putting a spacer to provide uplift tension. It's supposed to be a nice weekend, so maybe I'll remount the scope and shoot some. I'll report results back here afterwards.

[PartsMan]

What is your load?
The "best" factory ammo in mine is Remington 140g CL.
They shot about 2" at 100yd.

120g ballistic tips have shown some promise.
One group shot about 1.5" but I still need to double check it and I have another powder to try.

[slicksilverslk]

My most accurate load so far is this one:
bullet Hornady 139 SpBT  powder Reloder 15 wgt 40.3 gr OAL 3.138 Winchester brass CCL primer full sized hull and trimmed to length. It had an average of 2743 fps.
This one works well for me. Hope it works well for others.
Shoot well. Shoot often.
Slick