Author Topic: 500 S&W range report  (Read 497 times)

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Offline Slufoot

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500 S&W range report
« on: January 31, 2008, 01:43:29 PM »
Well I got to shoot my new 500 barrel today. The load is 37 grains of H-4227, a 385 grain Remington HP, CCI-200 primer all in new Starline brass. This is the starting load in the 2006 Hodgdon Annual Manual, although I think it called for a Winchester Large Rifle Primer.
I setup a target at about 10 yards just to see were the open sights would allow the bullet to hit and it struck low in the bullseye.
I then moved the target out to 50 yards and fired 3 shots, when I walked to the target I was really disappointed with the group. The group measured 5.375".
The forearm that H&R supposedly fit to this barrel was terrible. I sanded out the barrel channel and also sanded some off the rear, where it contacts the frame and it still doesn't fit good like the forearm does on my 45-70 barrel. So with this knowledge and from reading alot on this forum, (Thanks everybody!) I decided to shoot a group with the forearm removed. I put some small pieces of masking tape over all the holes in my target so I would be sure of where the shots hit without the forearm.
I fired 3 shots with the forearm removed and walked back over to the target. OH Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!
These 3 shots came in at just under an inch, 15/16". I would never have though the forearm would have made that much of a difference, but I know it does now.
I'm going to have to go back through the FAQ's and see what I can find on fitting a synthetic forearm. I'm thinking of putting the forearm in the milling machine and taking just a little off the hole where it is pressing so hard on the hanger stud, any thoughts on this?
In this short range session I went from, Oh Crap to Oh Yeah, I now know this barrel will shoot once I get the forearm fitted properly.
Here's a pic of the target that took me from mad to glad.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2008, 01:55:39 PM »
Now ya know why I don't care for the synthetic forend, it just isn't user friendly like the wood forend as far as getting it to fit good and making minor tuning adjustments, the lack of a removable spacer just complicates the issue leaving the adjustment to the forend screw hole only.  :-\

Thanks for the report on the 385gr Rems. ;)

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline Slufoot

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2008, 03:01:35 PM »
Yeah Tim I see what you mean.
I checked the FAQ's and there just isn't much about the synthetic forearms.
I'll do some more thinking on how I want to fit this and when I come up with something that works I'll post it.

The 385 gr. Rem. bullets that I have don't have a cannelure, that's OK for the Handi but I wouldn't want them for a revolver. I loaded mine just off the lands @ 2.280".

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Offline 1 id dog

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2008, 05:01:29 PM »
  Fellers that is some intriguing information. Slufoot, You have inspired me. I've been dragging my feet on sending my 500 back to the factory trying to decide on what i wanted to do. I've been afraid to invest much time and money on this project with out more research. I did try the oring floating as found in the FAQ's, it helped some but not enough. If I modified just the wood forearm would that void the warranty? If not I'll pillar block the screw and glass bed the fore arm. Then purchase dies and components and see if I can get acceptable results, afterall that wouldn't be much more than a box of factory ammo.
   Just a thought, what if you did the same fore arm modifications plus purchase a forend spacer like on the wood stocks. Cut off your synthetic fore arm at the proper distance allowing for an additional plate of suitable material cut to size. Glue the plate to fore arm and screw the spacer to it. Then add shimming material to get the desired fit. 

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2008, 05:03:49 PM »
Changing the forend isn't going to void the warranty on the rifle.  ;)

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline wyocarp

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2008, 06:25:07 PM »
I have tried the 4227 in the .500 but I like H110 better.

Offline PeterCartwright

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2008, 06:37:32 AM »
Tim:

I don't want to hijack the thread, but is the synthetic forend part of the culprit in the Superlight's finicky nature?

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2008, 06:41:09 AM »
It certainly doesn't help, just one more variable to deal with. :-\

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline PeterCartwright

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Re: 500 S&W range report
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2008, 06:51:04 AM »
Thanks, Tim.  That information gives me another "fiddling around" idea ;).