Author Topic: good load found, finally (Read 898 times)

borg1 · « **on:** February 17, 2005, 02:50:48 AM »

Hi all,

I tried free floating the fore end of my handi as was suggested in an article copied to me by Quickd. I loaded up some rounds and fired them post-free floating, and got average group sizes (8, 5 shot groups) of 1.2". I looked at my records and the same loadings pre free floating averaged 1.8". Of course, the shooting was done on different days and consequently different conditions, but I think this is a fair bit of group shrinkage to be explained by weather. Anyway, thanks Quickd!!!

i finally am onto a decent loading for my .223 bull barrel Handi (post free floating of course).

I shot a 5 shot group measuring .78" . My second shot, admittedly, was off because the gun was not completely centered in my rest and as i was squeezing the trigger it canted a bit.

The 1st, 3,4 and 5 bullets went into a hole measuring .31" CTC.

Now, i just have to get repeated groups of this size with the same loading.

Here are the specs for the load: fire-formed, neck sized only winchester brass, OAL of 2.25", CCI 400 primers, 27 grains of Varget, and 40gr Sierra Varminter HP. The loading is 1 grain below the maximum loading suggested in the Lee manual.

I hope this helps, plus i'll stay in touch with updates on load development.

jeff223 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2005, 03:20:36 AM »

sounds like things are coming along good for you.
good shooting :grin:

Buckeyeppc · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2005, 05:28:23 PM »

I just bought a 5 year old Handi in standard .223 with free floating barrel. I installed a Simmons Aetec 3-12x42 scope. I had the trigger lightened to 2.5 lbs by an excellant gunsmith. Here's my quandry.

I've fired the WalMart Winchester 45 gr HP that most seem to find accurate but I can't get them inside 3 inches at 100 yards. The 55 gr FMJs are a little bit better.

Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, Speer, and Remingtons all in the 50-55 grain size are all over the paper. The only less than an inch group comes from Berger 50gr bullets. This is with Winchester cases, Winchester SR primers, and 25 gr. or Accurate 2230.

Is it expected that the .223 is only accurate with 1 bullet ? Should I try a lesser weight bullet ? I just bought some Hogdens H335 and will try that powder but I'm starting to wonder if my barrel is the problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Donaldo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2005, 05:49:35 PM »

Buckey....
I dont think your problems are unusual. Seem to be normal to me. I worked all summer to find a single load that would beat the WW 45JHP stuff. Finally found one, 27.0 W748, 52 SMK, CCI400, WW cases. It was shooting under 1" at 100. Then I made a change in the way the forearm was bedded. Now that load shoots 2+ inches. But......went to 28.0 grains same same and it is back to less than 1". I don't know about other 223 ultras, but mine is very persnickity about what it likes. It just took about 200 loads to find 1 loading that it liked. So just keep plugging away, and try to not change too many things as relates to the fore arm. that is where the big bugaboo is. Any change to the tension of the screw on the forearm changes the harmonics of the barrel. Do the standard things and then LEAVE IT ALONE. Then work on loads. Have fun...this is what it is all about.

borg1 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2005, 04:39:43 AM »

My Handi is certainly finicky. The 24 gr loading printed a nice 4 MOA grouping at 100 yards. Once i hit 26.5 and above groups went back under MOA. The other thing i noticed is that the first 2 or 3 shots in a clean barrel (at least on my gun) are wider, at the same load, than the next 8 shots. For example, the 26.5 gr loading with Varget might shoot 2-3 inches at 100 yards the first 5 shots through the barrel. The next five shots with the same loading are almost always an inch or less. So what do i do when hunting? Fire 2-3 shots to make sure the gun is 'on', which essentially is just to foul the barrel a bit. Then, everything is ok. I am not sure, though, how many shots i can fire between cleanings and still keep the same groups.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2005, 04:52:55 AM »

Borg1, To me it seems that the barrel/forend is tightening up as the barrel warms...I'd try to stiffen that connection with a little experiment...Place a thin shim between the spacer and forend, then shoot some more groups. Remove the forend, remove the spacer, insert shim material between spacer and forend, reinstall spacer.... It won't take much, just .002"-.010" thick material, thin plastic or sheet metal. If that helps, then I'd look for a more permanent material. It more than likely will change POI, but hopefully the group size will diminish and be consistent from the first shot........maybe!

handirifle · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2005, 07:04:57 AM »

Borg
I have found H335 to be very accurate in mine. H335 and BL-C(2) seem to be the most accurate powders for these rifles. I tried several other powders with poor results. Now it shoots like a dream. Mine is now starting to like just about anything I feed it, but the 40gr Hornady Vmax and the Win 45grHP seem to be tops.

borg1 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2005, 10:33:18 AM »

quickd, do you mean between the plastic spacer and the forearm? The spacer is what rubs against the receiver, correct?

I am set to do some experimentation, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2005, 11:01:05 AM »

Yes, after removing the forend, remove the 2 screws that hold the spacer to the forend, insert shim material cut to the shape of the spacer/forend contour, reassemble. I'd start thin and work up. Soda pop cans are ~.002" thick... :wink: I've measured several different spacers and some vary a few thousanths in thickness, so I'm guessing that H&R has different sizes to fit barrels. To fit some that were too tight, I flat sanded the flat side of the spacer so the barrel opened easier, but not loose.

Good luck and please report your results. :wink:

Tim

borg1 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2005, 07:15:10 AM »

quickd,

i sanded the part of the spacer that faces the receiver. I'll acquire the high tec spacer material you mentioned and give it a shot (pun intended) or two. Once i find the right thickness, i am sure i can get some glass bedding to within those dimensions by sanding...

223Shooter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2005, 12:52:14 PM »

My .223 NEF likes most all 55gr bullets. I now load only Hornadays and Noslers. Use CCI BR4's, Win brass and Benchmark powder. A winning combination for coyotes. In my backyard range of 60 yards, I have put 5 rounds in one ragged hole with this combo.