Author Topic: .223 handi (Read 512 times)

jk3006 · « **on:** March 18, 2005, 02:46:08 PM »

I posted awhile back about my .223 handi not shooting like I wanted (vertical stringing). I was about ready to give up when I tried seating the bullet way into the case. I had previously tried a few bullet seating depths, but no more than .040 from where I had originally arrived at. That original length was 2.35. So, I now have it at 2.215, and that vertical stringing is almost not an issue. My five-shot groups go around 1-1.5 inches.

So, I'll get to the reason why I'm making this post. The last part of my development on this rifle is the tension on the forend lug. I previously floated the barrel. I have a thin neopreme washer that I've been using, but I can't tighten it down hardly at all or else I get that vertical stringing all over again. I just made up a plastic washer of about the same thickness. I'm wondering if I'll be able to tighten it a little more without causing the stringing. I'm not counting on it working.

I've read here before that the forend can't be tightened very tight. In fact, it needs to be quite loose where you can move the forend around quite easily. Is this really the case?

By the way, my plastic washer measures .055, and the neoprene one goes .065.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Jon

AZ223 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2005, 06:04:07 PM »

The vertical stringing makes sense in regard to the forend screw; as the barrel heats and tries to expand, the tension against the forend will change. As far as tightness, I'm using a piece of old bicycle innertube; it's thick and flexible, so even though I may be tightening more than finger-tight, the thick rubber allows play in it. Seems to work so far. The biggest discovery I made was putting the front rest right under the hinge; tightened the groups up real quick, even when using cross-sticks.

Mine doesn't like a long OAL; I try to keep it around 2.245" or less. 2.260" seems to cause problems accuracy-wise. Those are both using 50gr Nosler BT's. Currently using 26gr Varget and CCI primers; I really like the Varget -- very clean burning powder.

Good luck!

jk3006 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2005, 04:52:34 AM »

AZ223,

Thanks for sharing. I am also using Varget, 27.3 grains. It gives me around 3200 f/s with a 50 grain V-max. Like I said I seat the bullet at 2.215. However, at 2.25 my groups double to around 3 inches, and at 2.45 they string right off the target (over 12 inches stringing). If I don't get this thing dialed in just right it won't shoot for crap.

Jon

James B · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2005, 01:37:22 PM »

I am going to try Varget with the 63 grain Sierra SSP. I hope it will shoot this bullet well. I will have to play around with the seating depth as well.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2005, 03:27:58 PM »

The verticle stringing can be where your resting the rifle at...and what your resting it on too...anything hard...that will bounce in anyway will do this...even if your resting it back on the hinge pin...I found this out by shooting mine over a hard Hornady plastic rest with a foam rifle case on it...I thought it was me till I changed to my current set up...for the money...the " Tall " Cadwell rest work real good...it allows you to set up higher at the bench as well...they don't cost a-lot...I got mine for $15.00 plus tax...and they are already prefilled too shooting with the gun up in front of the hinge pin can work sometimes...but for the most part it needs to be all the way back over the hinge pin......as to the seating dept of your cartridges...the SAMMI O.A.L.usually works as well if not better than trying to seat them way out..even with the long throats...

Mac