Still fightin the 25-06

[bad-dog45]

Can you fellas, con firm or dispell a rumor for me? Is it true that the Handi's prefer max loads? I dont have a problem with that, but i usually start in the middle, and work up, then down to fid a good load, uses a lot of powder, but im getting a bit wiggy with this one











I practice gun control, I hit what im shootin at!

[nomosendero]

That has not been my experience. In fact, for the larger, more intense
rounds like the 30-06, 270, 280 etc., my experience has been the opposite. I believe with these rounds & hot loads you are starting to reach the limits of the parimeters for this gun without frame stretch, the same
reason that Magnum rounds are not chambered for these guns. Remember
even with hot 45-70 loads, the PSI is lower than I am talking about here
unless loaded to crazy levels. Now the smaller diameter cases like the .223 are different, as there is a lot of metal around these little rounds.
This same principle applies to the Encore, but at a higher level due to the
size of the frame. In this case the Belted Mags work but due to the fatter
cases that would cause excessive back thrust & Frame stretch, Short Mags
are not advised, though tried by a few.
I try to keep my Handirifle loads close to factory pressures & my accuracy
has been best here as well.
Just one man's experience though!!

[Fred M]

Notwithstanding what you heard, quite the opposite is what my findings are. In particular the 25-06. The slowest powders below max gave the best performance. Velocities were in the range of a hot 257 Roberts worked best. It spells Loooooooooooooooooower pressure. Mind you that is not what a 25-06 supposed to be about.

If you get 4"strings no amount of changing bullets will do any good. Fix that latch and standing breech it is all spelled out. Too bad you guys don't get together  and order 10 heavy latch springs for 5 bucks a piece to keep that latch in place. A Devcon hinge pin seat, a fitted latch and a stronger latch spring will do wonders for a poor shooting Handi.

Or else send the gun back to H&R and raise cain.

[quickdtoo]

Every handload that I've worked up has been mid level or a couple grains below max, I spose it just depends on the powder used and the bullet design, but none are max loads cept for the hornet.

[Fred M]

Quick

You and I doing the same thing when loading for a Handi. You can't believe how glad I am to have that 257 R shooting again. Here too I am loading to no more than 51-52 kpsi. I was so browed off with the  rifle that I had it  sitting in a corner for a long time and cursed it every time I looked at it. All for a lousy three thou gap. This is hard to believe.

 I am going to load up a couple boxes of 75gr V-max and some Fowler 85 gr Match bullets and bang them off on Sunday. After work if you believe that. I thought I was retired :roll:  :cry:

[quickdtoo]

Fred, I try to pick a powder that gives good velocity but at pressures lowest of the choices in published load data..... Seems to work well!!! :wink: Hope the new fix works out on the .257 Bob, sounds like it should.....

Work?? what's that? :roll:

[handirifle]

A Devcon hinge pin seat, a fitted latch and a stronger latch spring will do wonders for a poor shooting Handi.

Fred, is this detailed on your site?  I'd like to know more about this spring and see if others are interested, I am.  I do like the difference in sound that an Encore makes on lockup, and I think the latch strength has something to do with it.

Would a small spacer behind the spring do the same thing, or jusr ruin the spring early?

[quickdtoo]

Handi, see Fred's post Easy Gap Fix....it has all the details.

I bought 4 spring kits from Fred, installed one in the 338-06, 405 Winchester and the 35 Whelen, got one left. They increase the pressure on the latch considerably and the release is a fair bit harder to press to open the barrel. Seems to work great!!

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=67524&highlight=forend

[handirifle]

Thanks Quick, will do.

[Fred M]

Handi.

Initially I placed two 0.032 alu washers in the latch spring hole with another smaller spring inside. This is better but still noy strong enough.

Spring installation is on my web.

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/accuhandi.html

http://www.leespring.com
One Lee spring that looks suitable is LC-040-C-8-M.  040 is the music wire size. I try this 0.040" wire size?. The two wire springs I used a 20 and a 35 add up to 0.001276 sq/in. The 0.040" wire is 0.001256 sq/in. I thought I check the x-sectional area.

Plus an an expanded Devcon Gap Fix. Don't know if Mac posted that URL?
Thats the only way you guys can get the up dates I make.

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/gap.html

[handirifle]

Thanks Fred, now I need to do some reading and research.  Want to make sure my 280 locks like a bank vault.