No rhyme or reason.....

[JPH45]

Took the chance today to shoot the 30-30 some more with the 150 grain milsurp ball that Vance sent me to try out.

The cases that I had annealed, worked perfect in bullet tension. The first group though was somewhat disappointing, about 2", the common 7 in 1.375 x 1 with three flyers out. So I cleaned the barrel really good, got a lot of lead fines out of it. I suspect that I was simply trying to pus for too much velocity with the cast i was using. After cleaning up, the rifle shot a nice 7 shot group that is 1" x .75", but again with three flyers. I carefull sorted out those cases, and loaded 'em up again. This time I was rewarded with 7 shots firing a group 1" tall and .625" wide, 5 shots make a group that is .375" x .375", WOW :eek: the other 3 makd a group that is beloe the former by 1" and is the same .375" x.375" Problem is, one of those shots was from the "good" 7 cases and one of the 5 shots was from a case culled as a flyer case. Go figure.

Gonna try out a different bullet  tomorrow, the Sierra 150 SPT. and see what I get. Over all, I remain quite satisfied with the 150 grain milsurp ball. it easily shoots good and is a fine bullet for poking holes in paper.

As a side note, I had bought a new 30 cal jag for my cleaning rod and there is a definate difference in the bore for the first and last haf of he barrels length (chamber to muzzle) Push the patch to the muzzle and pull it back and about half way it gets obviously hard to pull, and remains so to the chamber.

[handirifle]

JPH45
I think you are on the way to figuring out the Handi's limited fondness for bullets.  I believe that due to irregualr bore diameter these rifles have to find a bullet that has the right combination of bullet strength/elasticity.

I was reading and atricle this morning about the Swaift bullets.  It seems due to their hardness there are a limited number of rifles that shoot them accuratley.

Swift has reportedly solved this problem by putting grooves in the bullet, thereby allowing the skin of the bullet to flex more and making it more compatible with a wider number of rifles.

Could this be the case with the Handi's, except because of dore dia irregularities?  I tend to think so.  I had a BC that had a VERY tight throat area and opened up just after the throat and closed down again halfway down the barrel.  This barrel would not shoot ANYTHING accurately.  I'm talking 6-8" groups at 100yds.  Pathetic in my mind.  I called NEF, sent it back in and demanded a new barrel.  After talking with Marlin top brass, they agreed and the new barrel would put 3 shots in 3/4" at 100yds, this with a Soule peep sight.

My argument with them was the tight throat was compressing the jacket down to less than the rest of the bore diameter and this allowed the bullet to "slop" its way down the rest of the barrel.  I think I was proven right by the results of the new barrel.

I am beginning to think that firelapping these barrels that show those tendencies might be the cure.  This is theory at this point but I think I am on the right track anyway.

[safetysheriff]

Handi'

If you do the firelapping, in keeping with your theory which makes sense to me, you'll need some very hard projectiles to keep them from obturating and lapping the loose as well as the tight spots....

Take care.

[Leftoverdj]

Richard Lee has a theory that cast bullets are most accurate at a pressure that causes the alloy to flow somewhat but which is below the ultimate yield strength of the alloy. This level of pressure is said to allow the bullet to form to the bore in travel.

I am very wary of firelapping. Its effects are going to be greatest at throat which may not be what you want lapped. Hand lapping can reduce a tight spot since you only lap the portion that needs it, but the rifling in Handi's is so shallow that you could not remove much of a constriction.

I have been told that having one end of the bore tighter than the other is inherent in the button rifling process. It should cause no problems as long as the tighter end is at the muzzle.  It causes big problems when the tighter end is at the breech. I'd scream at the factory if I ran across one.

[JPH45]

DJ, I hadn't even considered sending the barrel back 'till your post, I think I will give that a try, I guess I've nothing to lose. Thanks. Anyone got a number for customer service???

[MSP Ret]

1-978-630-8220    and   hr1871@hr1871.com   ....<><.... :grin: