Author Topic: Shooting Handi Rifle without forend (UPDATE) (Read 2084 times)

mbyoung72 · « **on:** November 01, 2010, 09:58:09 AM »

I am new to this forum and I need a little help. I have a .44 magnum handi rifle that I just can't seem to get any groups out of. I had to practically pry the forend off so needless to say that is part of the problem. I sanded it and reinstalled the forend and it got better however still throwing 6 to 8 inch groups @ 100 yards. Would it be safe to shoot this gun without the forend on to see if the problem still lies in the forend.

petemi · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2010, 10:32:52 AM »

It sounds to me that's exactly what you want to do. It is safe and recommended. A buddy of mine has a .280 Handi that did the same thing. I put an "O"ring on the forend stud, and end of problem. Go for it. Rest it up close to the trigger guard when you shoot it without the forend. Don't rest it on the barrel.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:41:17 AM »

Welcome!! Read the Handi Basics 101 sticky, you'll find that shooting it without the forend is definitely recommended to determine if the forend is causing inaccuracy!

When was your 44mag made, serial number prefix letters are ??

Tim

wreckhog · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2010, 12:39:18 PM »

Watch for the barrel falling off whe you eject the brass.

mbyoung72 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2010, 03:19:26 PM »

I not sure which numbers you need but it says SB2 on the side and it was bought new last december. It has the new style stock and it is a smooth barrel i.e. doesn't have iron sights. Good call on putting the forend on to eject brass don't won't the barrel to fall off ha ha. I'm not expecting remarkable accuracy out of it due to the price I would be happy to put 3 shots into a 4 inch circle @ 100 yards cause thats bout what a .44 mag is good for. However on a side note it seems to shoot hornady brass better than winchester it maybe due to the fact that the case head on the hornady is thicker causing a difference in headspace.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2010, 03:50:15 PM »

"New" is relative, it could have been new, but old stock, those made prior to 2007 were overbore and wouldn't shoot .429"-.430" bullets well at all, but yours sounds like a new SB1 44mag with a tight bore since it has the late style stock. Barrel markings are irrelevent to the frame type, almost all H&R centerfire rifle barrels are marked SB2 even tho they come on SB1 frames. The late model 44mags normally shoot good, did you read the Handi Basics 101 yet? Oil on the latch and/or shelf will destroy any hopes of accuracy. The serial number prefix on the frame determines year of manufacture, yours is probably CAC######, made May 2008 or later.

Tim

mbyoung72 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:13:36 PM »

I checked it out it does have the CAC prefix. Could you describe the location of the latch and shelf on these rifles. Sorry bout the stupid question just would really like to get this rifle shooting straight

. I did look at the handi basics all of it will come in handy on my next trip to the range.

revbc · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:22:20 PM »

Latch is the flat piece of metal, straight down in the bottom of the receiver. It moves when you hit the barrel release button/lever. The latch shelf is the v looking notch right under the extractor on the barrel.

ssjohnnie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:50:11 PM »

Not being a smart "A" but just because these little guns are (inexspenive) do not mean they won't shoot some just take a little more love than others but for the most part they will group around 1 1/2 at a 100 yards

dlariscey · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2010, 06:02:23 PM »

Totally agree with Johnnie's commit. I'm getting 1 inch groups with my 30-30 at 100 yards.

mbyoung72 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2010, 06:38:15 PM »

Don't get me wrong guys I'm not saying that these aren't good guns. But lets consider what they are intended for which is mostly hunting and being budget friendly nobody would buy one expecting benchrest accuracy. If I could get it down to 2" to 2 1/2" groups I would be happy cause that would make it one heck of a 100 yard deer gun. I'm sure that calibers .30 and smaller are capable of smaller groups than a .44. No manufacturer would give an moa guarantee on a caliber that large no matter what it cost. It seems from most people I know that have .38 caliber and up handi rifles that 1 1/2" groups are more an exception than the rule. This however is only an opinion

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thejanitor · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2010, 07:24:38 PM »

My worst handi shoots better than 2" And my best 45 cal Handi touches holes at 100yds. And I don't tweek them like many here do. They may be budget minded but all the potential is there if one actually reads the FAQ and wants to mess with it. And you are correct 2" is ok to hunt deer at 100, but once you figure out what was holding you back, you might just be impressed. Good luck. They are addicting little buggers.

thejanitor

mbyoung72 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2010, 07:55:08 PM »

I hope to figure it out soon I was sure glad to have found this forum. So far I have shot numerous handloads and several factory ammos so I believe it is gonna be in the forend. I am definitely looking forward to trying out a few of these techniques. I took it apart tonight and cleaned the latch and shelf maybe that will help. I'll tell you when rounds are spreading all over the paper it sure is dishearting and you begin to think well maybe its me. However, I have 2 remington 700's that I have customized and I shoot sub 1/2" groups with both so I dont think it is me. It seems that break action guns are more difficult to attain accuracy out of than bolt guns due to the forend being mounted to the barrel, lock up being slightly different each time, and headspace seems to be affected more easily. But they are kind of fun

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tacklebury · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2010, 01:35:00 PM »

As a quick interim to doing the full forearm work, I just unscrewed my forearm screw about 1/8" and pull the leading edge down each time. It works well with my .45-70 BC, so well, I haven't taken the time to mess with it now that it's deer season.

I needed to set something aside for a winter project, you know...

mbyoung72 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2011, 08:08:52 PM »

First off sorry about the long post. Ok guys my last post on here concerned a 44 magnum handi that shot all over the place and I got directed to the FAQ page which was very informative. I am posting cause I hope my experience can help others as that is what its all about. Some background info: I bought a new 44 magnum handi rifle about a year ago mounted a nikon prostaff scope with game reaper rings and base. I was shooting factory hornady ftx 225 grain ammo and it shot a 8" 3 shot group @ 100 Yards

. So visited the the FAQ page and then examined the forearm which I no joke had to pry off the barrel. I opened up the barrel channel with a proper sized dowel rod and sand paper and then used the o ring spacer. Went to the range with same ammo and shot 5" 3 shot group @ 100 yards. So I handloaded a 265 grain hornady ftx and developed the load working from minimum charge to most accurate charge which all in all shot a 2.5" 3 shot group. I then decided to try a bullet weight in the middle and changed manufacture. I got a 240 grain speer gold dot bullet and worked up some loads. I once again started at the minimum and worked till the most accurate. I ended up shooting a 1.2" 3 shot group @ 100 yards with my most accurate load and now I done. Here is a couple pics of my work (That is a quarter in the second picture). I ended up shooting 105 rounds to get it here. All yardage reading were taken using a leupold range finder. Hope this helps.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2011, 08:27:44 PM »

Glad ya got it shooting better, sometimes they take a bit of range time to settle down, I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't shoot the original load better now too, mine loved the 225gr Hornady FTX ammo on the first trip to the range, under an 1½" at 100yds with a peep sight and my old eye.

Tim

Slowhanddd · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:36:45 AM »

And you got real close to that quarter too.Good shooting and not giving up.Finding a load that works is kinda the "Holey" Grail.

mbyoung72 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:58:28 AM »

Thanks guys. Yeah I havent tried the the 225 grain ftx again. However I am glad that I handloaded for it because the handload is a little better ballistically than the factory hornady not that it makes much of a difference with a 44 magnum ha ha. Also I gathered a little info on that factory 225 grain ftx ammo during my testing. Hornady advertises that load has a velocity of 1870 fps out of a 20" barrel. I fired all 40 rounds I shot through a chrony and it averaged 1760 fps out of a handi with a 22" barrel. Thought some of you would like to hear these results.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:00:54 AM »

That's what I got too!!

Tim

mbyoung72 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:55:05 AM »

Ha ha dang that was close that must mean hornady products are consistant

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