Author Topic: Range report for my first Handi ... (Read 517 times)

bigjeepman · « **on:** April 10, 2005, 08:24:16 AM »

I bought my first Handi in the last week in March in a .223 heavy barrel. I have JB bore pasted the barrel, cleaned the rifle up real good including polishing the chamber, did the O-ring deal, and added a bipod. The trigger still pulls at 4.5 lbs as I haven't tried a trigger job yet..

I have been to the range four times now and I like the rifle more each time. I have tried nine loads that grouped under 1" for 3, 4, or 5 shot groups. My best to date were this morning's group measuring .420" for a 5 shot group. The following are some of the loads I have tested. In all loads I used WIN brass, CCI 400 primers, and an OAL of 2.261".

Nosler BT 50 gr
IMR 4198 - 21.3 gr
5 shot - .420"

Nosler BT 50 gr
IMR 4198 - 21 gr
3 shot - .453"

Hornady Vmax 55 gr
IMR 4198 - 21.6 gr
4 shot - .510"

Hornady Vmax 50 gr
Varget - 25.3 gr
5 shot - .679"

Nosler BT 50 gr
Varget - 26 gr
5 shot - .654"

I am not sure what everyone else's expectations are in a .223 Handi but mine have already been exceeded though I will continue to keep searching and fine tuning loads. Thanks for all of your help.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2005, 08:29:04 AM »

Way to go :oh: :yeah: :agree:

Nice shooting there...

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2005, 08:32:55 AM »

Man, that's great to hear...er....see!!! I have an unopened can of IMR4198, I may just have to get a set of RCBS dies and use it up since I have all that used Win brass!!

Thanks!! :wink:

Tim

mitchell · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2005, 09:54:18 AM »

i guess the reloading bug has bitten tim good and hard.

good shooting bigjeepman that looks real promising for just the first 4 trips to the range.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2005, 11:11:58 AM »

Thanks for the replies guys ... you all have been a big help as I couldn't have reached this first level of success as quickly as I have without your opinions and advice. This might sound crazy to some of you, but, I enjoy reloading almost (I said almost) as I do actually shooting at the range or hunting coyotes, wild boar, etc. To me, reloading is a science yet requires instinct and feel. I never thought for a minute reloading would be easy or save me any money in my favorite hobby. It is, however, a great way for me to relax in the evenings after work and stay away from the trappings of the TV, couch, or recliner. I also do woodburnings, drawings, paint, and build old western looking furniture. Reloading and shooting are my passion right now and the Handi rifle has added to my interest in firearms.

If you all don't mind, when my groups get consistently smaller, I will report back again. I do need to do a trigger job as I am used to a 2.5 lb trigger in all my other rifles.

I am already thinking about my next Handi. The gunshop has a .204 with a heavy barrel for $215 or maybe one of those Buffalo Classics.

Thanks again ...

bigjeepman · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2005, 11:24:49 AM »

Tim ...

I have used H-335, IMR 4198, and Varget in my test loads. The best powder for my Savage 10 FP in .223 has been H-335 with 55gr Nosler BT. That barrel has a 1:9 twist. H-335 has not produced groups consistently less than .800" so I changed to testing Varget and IMR 4198. I use Varget in my lighter .243 bullets such as Sierra's 60 gr HP. I had never used IMR 4198 until a couple of guys told me it was their favorite powder for the lighter .224 bullets. I have been very pleased with it in my Handi and I think the Varget will do better.

I seat all my .223 rounds at 2.261" OAL because my Savage likes them that way and now the Handi seems to also. It just kind of simplifies loading for now. When I get my "best loads" down for the Handi, I might play a little with the OAL.