Stock change, changed accuracy?

[Mike38]

Stock change, changed accuracy?


Hello, I’m new here so forgive if I ask a few stupid questions until I figure this place out.
About 15 years ago I bought a Handi Rifle heavy barrel in .223. Found a reload for it using 55 grain V-Max bullets that gave me less then one MOA, so I loaded up and headed from Illinois to South Dakota to spank some Prairie Dogs on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. I had a blast, and left plenty of dead pasture poodles behind. I placed a coat of grease on all metal parts and put the rifle into storage.

Well, I got it out Spring of 2010 to give another try at some paper targets. Even had about 400 rounds of reloads from the first poodle shoot, so I figured I’d be good to go for the year of target shooting. I decided to drop the rifle into one of those pistol grip Varmint stocks, brand name I don’t remember right now. Anyhow, my less then 1 MOA jumped up to just over 2 MOA.

I noticed that the barrel didn’t fit square in the new forearm, it favored the right side, heavily. So I did some inlay work with a half round file so the gap on both sides was equal. This brought my groups back down, but still not to the point it was with the OEM stock.

Here’s my plan, and you tell me if I’m on the right track.

I put a rubber washer over the weld nut on the bottom of the barrel, then slip the forearm on and screw. This should open up the forearm inlay even more, before and after the weld nut. Kind of a free float, kind of. So, will this help, or am I wasting my time here?

The range I go to is closed for the season, so I won’t be able to tell anything until April 1st.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer me. 

[Lon371]

 You said you greased the gun up for storage, Did you clean it ALL off. Pull the barrel off and clean all the oil out of the reciever and off the lug under the barrel chamber. You want the barrel latch and lug DRY. Then go ahead and put an oring on the barrel stud below the forend.

 Go here http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.0.html    ;)scroll 3/4 the way down. You will find an accurizing section.

Good luck.

Lonny

 Welcome to Gray Beards lots of good folks with loads of knoledge.

[Mike38]

Hey Lon371, thanks for the reply. I spent about 30 minutes looking over the page you suggested. It looks like I’m on the right track. At the moment I have a rubber washer in place instead of an o-ring, but according to some of the suggestions, some guys had better luck with washers. I think I’ll try both. As for the barrel latch, I did clean the grease off the rifle real well. Used a full can of carb cleaner and wore out a small brush, so it’s good and clean. I did however, upon reoiling, got oil all over the barrel latch area, thinking it was a good thing. I’ll have to clean that up dry and try again. Thanks again.

[Quigley]

Pasture Poodles lol. I cant help much with your accuracy problem as my .223 has always been right on, but I know from first hand experience this past weekend that any left over oil in the gun causes all sorts of problems. Almost lost a big yote because I didnt clean it well. I ordered a new Handi Grip stock for mine this week. Hope it doesent create the problem you have. Anyway, good luck.

[quickdtoo]

Forend fit is critical to consistent accuracy, lots of help in the FAQs tho if there's a problem, be sure to read the Handi Basics 101 sticky too, that's where to start. 

Tim

[26-t]

I o-ring all mine and torque the screw to 25 inch pounds. I works for me. 26-t