Author Topic: free floating .223 bull barrel (Read 1232 times)

Larry R · « **on:** October 08, 2004, 04:12:48 PM »

If/when i free float my barrel
what advantages does this have on a single shot?
Can anyone give me detailed instuctions how?

handirifle · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2004, 09:11:32 PM »

Larry
I hope I can make it clear enough.

First, it may have none. I say that because it helps most but not all. Some rifles it doesn't matter. With that said, I did mine before firing a shot through it.

When I did mine, I used a piece of 1/8" thick magnetized rubber strip. Why, cause that was what I had, partly. Secondly, I felt, unlike an "O" ring, it would not crush easily and be less subject to overtightening issues.

The magnetized rubber I had is about 1" wide. I cut a piece just long enough to fit in the recessed area of the forearm. I then used a hole punch to trim a hole large enough to allow the barrel lug to go through it. I made sure the piece lay flat in the recessed area and replaced the forarm and screw. I tightened the screw snug enough that I felt it would not back out, and that was it.

Joe58 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2004, 04:09:52 AM »

Handi....

Just curious, have you tried the barrel without the strip in it to see if it matters or is this something you just do as a matter of course.

I was going to try the same thing with a piece of thin scrap leather I have laying around.

Also wondered if it would work to silicone the cut out in the forearm, but then I don't know if it would stick or not.

Joe

Donaldo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2004, 04:33:26 AM »

Larry,
Just like Handi said it may not make any difference at all. You should probably shoot a couple hundred rounds thru it, trying different ammo, and maybe handloads. Most of the 223's seem to like the WW econo box of 40 rounds. The 45 JHP, not the 55 grn stuff. If your rifle still does not shoot as good as you want, or just want to tinker reread a bunch of the threads on this forum about what to do. As for mine here is what I have done so far. Took a short piece of a broom handle wrapped in 100 grit sandpaper and took out about 1/16 or more of wood out of the barrel channel. Put an o ring on the barrel lug or cut a piece of rubber to fit over it. The idea is to move the forend away from the barrel. I have tried silicone between the forend and the barrel. Made no difference, maybe worse. You might want to read what Fred from the north has to say about what he did to his handi. These rifles seem to shoot best, from the bench, by resting the receiver on the bags. Resting the forend on the bags seems to cause vertical stringing of shots as the barrel heats up. I have spent several hours looking and thinking about what would make them shoot better. I think they have the capability to shoot sub 1/2 moa if we can solve the problem of the attachment lug on the barrel. Which probably cannot be gotten around. As long as that lug is there, there is no way to really free float the barrel. Good luck with yours and keep us up to date.

Larry R · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2004, 04:34:12 AM »

Thanks Handi,
That makes sense and very easy to understand
don't need to sand anything so if it does not help
no biggie. maybe I'll try it.

thank you

handirifle · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2004, 06:41:01 PM »

Joe,
On mine I have not. On my son's 223 I did and it made an imprevement. I don't think leather would work FOR ME, cause I didn't want it to compress. The "O" rings and leather would. Mine does not.

I've seen this magnetic strip somewhere, I think maybe Home depot or the like. I'll try to post a pic.

Joe58 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2004, 03:53:52 AM »

Handi.........thanks for the response. You are likely correct about the leather compressing but it was kinda one of those "what do I have laying around" ideas.

I went to Home Depot and bought a few differerent o-rings that fit around that lug but it doesn't seem to work that well for me. I seem to accomplish the same thing by just leaving the screw loose and being sure where I put the rifle on the rest at.

But if you have a picture, that would be great. Give me an idea what to look for.

Thanks!

joe

handirifle · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2004, 07:58:21 AM »

I'll take a pic and post it after church. Gotta go.

handirifle · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2004, 02:41:35 PM »

Joe,
I ended up not having time to get to the camera and am at work till 11pm tonight so I'll try to take the picv tonight and post it in the AM. Sorry for the delay.

handirifle · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2004, 09:51:32 PM »

Here is the stuff I used.

As you can see there was some compression, but this stuff is pretty hard. It isn't squishy like an o ring and takes a screw tightening pretty good. I did notice some side to side play once this was in but it hasn't affected the rifle so far.

I'd prefer something that felt more solid, but this thing drives tacks now so I cannot complain.

Larry R · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2004, 04:46:34 PM »

Guess what i found out that a piece of 1/8'' cork gasket works
well to. Its a little soft but once I got the lug screw good and tight
there was still room for a bill to slide between the barrel
and fore arm easily, and it did help thanks guys!