Author Topic: .223 Bull Barrel is way TOO MUCH weight forward... (Read 1534 times)

Land_Owner · « **on:** May 21, 2012, 12:06:14 PM »

...on a synthetic tactical black smooth stock that I thought had a hole through it for reaching the stock bolt, but upon discovery is hollow! I had thought to cut a long SST bolt to stuff in the "tube" to counterweight the barrel weight and give the rifle back some balance.

I tried completely filling the hollow in the stock with copper plated steel BB's. Too dense and they rattle. No way is lead shot or a lead ingot going to be LESS weight.

I love the gun but unbalanced it is the pits to carry and shooting from a bench it wants to dip forward. What else can I try?

gendoc · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2012, 12:10:20 PM »

Quote from: Land_Owner on May 21, 2012, 12:06:14 PM

...on a synthetic tactical black smooth stock that I thought had a hole through it for reaching the stock bolt, but upon discovery is hollow! I had thought to cut a long SST bolt to stuff in the "tube" to counterweight the barrel weight and give the rifle back some balance.

I tried completely filling the hollow in the stock with copper plated steel BB's. Too dense and they rattle. No way is lead shot or a lead ingot going to be LESS weight.

I love the gun but unbalanced it is the pits to carry and shooting from a bench it wants to dip forward. What else can I try?

use it to beat somethin with... or swap barrels

dave29 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2012, 12:19:10 PM »

Quote from: Land_Owner on May 21, 2012, 12:06:14 PM

...on a synthetic tactical black smooth stock that I thought had a hole through it for reaching the stock bolt, but upon discovery is hollow! I had thought to cut a long SST bolt to stuff in the "tube" to counterweight the barrel weight and give the rifle back some balance.

I tried completely filling the hollow in the stock with copper plated steel BB's. Too dense and they rattle. No way is lead shot or a lead ingot going to be LESS weight.

I love the gun but unbalanced it is the pits to carry and shooting from a bench it wants to dip forward. What else can I try?

I have one of those long square steel stock weights that used to come in the H&R stocks if you want it. I'd have to weigh it, but I bet it weighs a pound.

PowPow · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2012, 12:54:26 PM »

Wonder if lead shot or BBs suspended in blown foam or gorilla glue would get you the right density?
Might practice on a soup can. Put a pvc sleeve over the stock bolt first.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2012, 01:00:42 PM »

If it's the Choate Varmint stock, the stock bolt is in the pistol grip, the stock itself is hollow as LO stated, just add the weight needed, preferable at the rear so it doesn't take as much, fill the front of the stock with packing peanuts for a temporary fix, or non-expanding foam for a more permanent fix, since the volume is very little, even a sock with lead shot may be all that's needs.

Tim

dave29 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2012, 01:02:41 PM »

I didn't realize he was talking about the Choate varmint stock. That stock weight I have won't work in that.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2012, 01:12:25 PM »

My 223 Ultra Bull barrel came with cinnamon laminated stock and fore end. I do not think it too much different than my other Handi rifles as far as balance is concerned. It does weigh in at 9.5 pounds. My avatar is the 223 Ultra. My suggestion is to try it with a laminated stock or maybe even a regular pallet wood stock and see if the balance is better.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2012, 02:00:51 PM »

I had a .17HMR Bull and solved the problem.........sold it.

Pete

r29l20 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2012, 02:11:01 PM »

Cut and recrown ?

Goatwhiskers · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2012, 02:34:59 PM »

Mine has laminated butt and forend and I love it. Nuff said. Goat

Land_Owner · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2012, 01:40:08 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on May 21, 2012, 01:00:42 PM

If it's the Choate Varmint stock, the stock bolt is in the pistol grip, the stock itself is hollow as LO stated, just add the weight needed, preferable at the rear so it doesn't take as much, fill the front of the stock with packing peanuts for a temporary fix, or non-expanding foam for a more permanent fix, since the volume is very little, even a sock with lead shot may be all that's needs.

Tim

Good call. Here are a few pictures. Once it is balanced, I doubt I will ever take it apart again. I love this barrel and the way in which this rifle shoots. I am not a swapping barrel or reseller kind of Handi-holic.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2012, 02:13:31 AM »

Foam in a length of pipe. Tape it to the stock to see if it has the balance you are looking for first. If you start on the light side you can add weight to the pipe till you get it right. Seal the pipe and you are finished.

Another thought, you might be able to find a stabilizer from an archery shop that would fill the bill. I have an old one that is mercury filled and absorbs the shock. I know many were made with oil fill and valving etc. There are some with lots of add on weight discs to get it right. Just a thought.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2012, 05:52:51 AM »

L_O, that's not a Varmint stock, it's a standard old style syn stock, easiest way to rebalance it with the least amount of weight is stuff the front part of the stock with foam packing, I use the blocks that come in bullets a lot, once the forward part is stuffed, add some lead shot to a ziplok bag inside a sock, placed just ahead of the recoil pad it will balance it with minimal weight addition. The packing can easily be removed with a wire hanger if you ever need to access the stock bolt.

Tim

casca1 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2012, 02:06:52 PM »

sand in a plastic bag
casca

45-70.gov · « **Reply #14 on:** May 25, 2012, 02:43:17 PM »

get a wooden stock

you kbow i like my shorties

foam to the front with sand or lead to the back
maybe just sand......or water or some jack or crown

Similkameen Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** May 25, 2012, 03:59:22 PM »

cut the barrel to 18", that will make her more handy ...

read this

http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/

demented · « **Reply #16 on:** May 25, 2012, 06:23:09 PM »

Whats the I.D. of the stock hollow? I've got one of the solid steel Smith and Wesson recoil reducers (just a piece of chromed steel shaft, 1.00 diameter IIRC) that you can have if you can use it. Cut to whatever length you might need, a bit of shaping to allow for stock taper and then filled in with foam....

ironglow · « **Reply #17 on:** May 25, 2012, 06:33:09 PM »

Line the stock with plastic, preferrably a bag then fill that bag with clear builder's calk & BBs. That way you can have your weight and remove it too, if you want to change stocks.
Actually, for steady, long range, rested shots ..I prefer a rifle to be somewhat nose-heavy..

ratdog · « **Reply #18 on:** May 25, 2012, 10:22:31 PM »

if you don't like stuffing the stock with weight consider chopping the barrel off to 16 1/2 inches or 17'' mine is 16 3/4 '' no crown shoots great but not light it has a laminate thumb hole stock on it barrel is a 1-12 twist shortening it didn't make any difference i accuracy i shot it a lot.

ratdog · « **Reply #19 on:** May 25, 2012, 11:07:15 PM »

back again. land owner is this 223 going to be another pig slayer ?.let us know how it works out.

Victor3 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 26, 2012, 12:23:20 AM »

I didn't like all that weight up front on my .223 bull bbl either...

Land_Owner · « **Reply #21 on:** May 26, 2012, 01:03:58 AM »

ratdog, I will be shooting hogs and deer with it, provided certain restricting conditions are met. Victor3 your Handi- is nearly BC length, but I am not in the cutting off mode. demented, I will measure and confirm, but the .223 Handi- w/bull barrel is already a pussycat in terms of recoil, so the addition of weight, even S&W "Recoil Reducer" bar stock, is just for counter-weight and balance. If I go that route we can work out a shipping arrangement.

Quote from: ironglow on May 25, 2012, 06:33:09 PM

Actually, for steady, long range, rested shots ..I prefer a rifle to be somewhat nose-heavy...

so do I, but it's a sniper/hunting rifle. The range work is just to get it tuned to carry into the tree stand where a rock steady rest awaits. EmptyQuiver, I like your idea of foaming in a length of pipe. Sort of makes the stock similar to the wooden stocks in which I am more familiar. Everything has a balance. Weighing the fore end, barrel and scope against the receiver and butt stock is my starting point. Maybe a little weight forward isn't so bad. I will let the Forum know how it turns out.

hunter4626 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 26, 2012, 02:50:49 AM »

I would go to a new stock any type of wood stock would be an improvement to the syn. (sin could be used too, as it is a sin to do away with wood stocks) but I will admit to being a bit prejudiced.I will also admit to being a sinner as 2 of my handis have syn stocks. Seriously a monte carlo stock like I have on my 223 is the way to go.

ironglow · « **Reply #23 on:** May 26, 2012, 10:49:37 AM »

Funny how preferences run ..I've gon all to syns..

Victor, doesn't a short barrel like that..lose a bit of performance...or is it minimal ?

Victor3 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 28, 2012, 01:28:54 AM »

At 18" I suppose I've lost a little velocity over what it was before I cut it, but it's just a <150 yd plinker (with its iron sights and my lousy eyes). I have a scoped CZ 527 for other .223 duties.

ironglow · « **Reply #25 on:** May 28, 2012, 02:03:34 PM »

It sure is a nice looking rifle anyway..