25-06 Accuracy Concerns

[Nipp45]

I am having some accuracy concerns with my handi-rifle 25-06.  I have only shot about 40 rounds through it, but am getting 3 - 4" spreads on a 100 yard target.  To date, I have only shot remington core lokt 120 grain.  I have ordered some Hornady 117 btsp, which I hope makes a difference.

I have the following questions:

1.  I have heard that it takes 50 rounds or so before accuracy improves.  Is this true?

2.  What type of factory ammo works well with this rifle in this caliber?

3.  I have heard of polishing using JB.  Does this work?  If so, what kind and where do you get it.

4.  What other quick/ inexpensive things can I try to improve the accuracy.

Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

[Troyboy]

What you need to do is check the faq sticky. Next is to try some different ammo, Check your scope and mounts etc. Just about all you need to know is @ the top of the page

                        Welcome

[Nipp45]

I have double checked all of my scope mountings/ rings, etc.  Everything looks good.  I know the scope is good, its a leupold 3-9 x 40, which has been mounted on my 223, so thats not it. 

I have read the sticky's, so very useful info. 

Just wondering what was is quick and inexpensive to try.  And also, what factory loads are proven to be good in this caliber.  Would like some proven history on that.

[cwlongshot]

I am having some accuracy concerns with my handi-rifle 25-06.  I have only shot about 40 rounds through it, but am getting 3 - 4" spreads on a 100 yard target.  To date, I have only shot Remington core lokt 120 grain.  I have ordered some Hornady 117 btsp, which I hope makes a difference.

I have the following questions:

1.  I have heard that it takes 50 rounds or so before accuracy improves.  Is this true?

2.  What type of factory ammo works well with this rifle in this caliber?

3.  I have heard of polishing using JB.  Does this work?  If so, what kind and where do you get it.

4.  What other quick/ inexpensive things can I try to improve the accuracy.

Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

 WELCOME TO GBO!!!! (Welcome to your newest affliction as well!!   ) handis are extremely contagious and there is no known cure. Only known relief is posting here, buying more of them and shooting the $^%# out of them!!

1) All guns are different. There is no "magic" number where Handis begin to shoot good.

2) Generally the 25-06 is a good shooter. Problems can arise with a handloader. If they push things to max pressure. That's more a handi thing than a 25-06 thing.

3) YES, but again refer to #1. If yours has a rough bore it will help, if its smooth... why try to smooth it more? MIDSOUTH is a sponsor and should have what you need. (Just for you Bill!!  )

4) The BASICS!! as Troy boy already mentioned, check EVERYTHING!! Remove and reinstall base, scope and rings. Thoroughly clean barrel and chamber. degrease the entire barrel and be sure the latch is clean and dry. NO OIL on latch!!!

 Last but not least... go read the FAQ's. Tim has worked very hard and done a wonderful job of collecting many many informative posts to answer all common questions.

Good luck,
 CW

 Just saw your post, roger on the known good scope!!

[Nipp45]

thanks guys.  Keep it coming its much appreciated.

[trotterlg]

The 120gr bullets are kind of at the high weight end for a 25-06, I would move down to 100gr or even 90 and see what you get.  Also it depends on what type of pattern it is shooting, if it is just random then one thing, if it is vertical stringing or horizontal stringing, the it is another.  Larry

[SM Bob]

I have double checked all of my scope mountings/ rings, etc.  Everything looks good.  I know the scope is good, its a leupold 3-9 x 40, which has been mounted on my 223, so thats not it. 

I have read the sticky's, so very useful info. 

Just wondering what was is quick and inexpensive to try.  And also, what factory loads are proven to be good in this caliber.  Would like some proven history on that.

Definitely go to the FAQ's and read everything about the forend. It has
a lot to do with the accuracy of your Handi. Then I would look at the section
with the trigger work from Perklo. Whenever I get a new Handi I first
bed the forend with RTV like in the FAQ section. This will take 24 hours,
or overnight. Then I do the trigger job ala Perklo. A trigger job can be
done in around 30-45 minutes easily.  Basically a couple of nights
work will greatly improve the accuracy of your Handi and the good news
is that it is real easy to do. Also try to stay near the starting load or
just a little over it. Handi's seem to like that.


                            Robert

[Nipp45]

You guys are great.  I appreciate all of the recommendations.  When I get some time, I will try some of them.

Any good experiences with certain brands of factory ammunition of this rifle?

[DalesCarpentry]

I have had a few Handie's and I used Flitz metal polish on the bore of every one of them before I shot them. It speeds the break in period up. I would give it about a 100 strokes if it were me. Another thing is where are you resting the front of the rifle when you shoot? You should be resting it just in front of the trigger if not that could be a big part of your problem. Dale

[quickdtoo]

I've shot a couple different factory loads in my 25-06 Ultra, Federal 115gr Nosler Partitions and Hornady 117gr BTSP both shoot excellent, give em a try, also read the Handi Basics 101, it'll get you started on the right foot. 

Tim

[coop2564]

I've had 2 25-06 and neither would shoot 115gr or higher bullets well. 100gr and lower were great!

[rezz]

My Handi 25-06 really liked the Federal Nosler Partitions in 115gr too......<1'' groups
I'm now using hand loads but the Partitions were great.

One thing to keep in mind is that this barrel doesn't like heat.....let it cool between shots.
Mine will put two bullets almost in the same hole but then the 3rd one will be an inch or so out.

Let it cool between shots......better yet....get it shooting right for a cold barrel hunting situation and forget groups. Mine is right on for the first shot and I killed a buck at 296 yards with it year before last with the Nosler Partitions.

[Nipp45]

Okay guys, thanks for all of the input.  I am going to take my gun to the range tommorrow to hopefully see the improvements.

I ended up doing the following:
-Place an O-ring on the barrel lug, to free float the barrel.
-Used a metal polish to work in the barrel and chamber, followed by a cleaner.  Patch comes out completely clean.
-Cleaned and removed all particles/oil from the barrel, latch, hinge, chamber, etc.
-Switched to Hornady 117 gr. btsp ammunition.
-Will use the front rest placed just in front of the trigger guard.
-Inspected the scope, rings, etc. to insure secure mount.

One last question.  How long do you wait in between shots to let barrel cool down.  I plan on firing 3 shot groups.  With 1 minute cool off between shots and then about 5 minute cool off between 1 and 2 groups.  Will this be okay?

[cwlongshot]

A general rule of thumb is if you cannot hold your hand on the barrel, (Near the chamber) it is too hot to shoot.

 That's tough on a winters day, but suffice to say three consecutive shots shouldn't overheat any barrel. Maybe shoot three, leave it open and on the bench for 15 or so and repeat. I like to bring a 22 for these "cool off" times.

CW

[FW Conch]

  Nipp45, you can speed up the cooling process a bit with "computer air".  You know, the canned air we

  use to blow the dust off our computer key boards?  Just shoot until the barrel gets warm,  open the

  chamber & squirt some of the nice cool air down the barrel.  Now - some common sense needs to be

  applied.  Depending on the outside temperature & relative humidity we don't want to cause condensation

  in the boar.  If you suspect that has happened just run a dry patch down the boar.  This works for me !

  Good Luck - Good Shooting        Jim

[Nipp45]

Guys,

I went to the range today and still wasn't very pleased.  I had 2" groups at 50 yards.  I have done the following:

I ended up doing the following:
-Place an O-ring on the barrel lug, to free float the barrel.
-Used a metal polish to work in the barrel and chamber, followed by a cleaner.  Patch comes out completely clean.
-Cleaned and removed all particles/oil from the barrel, latch, hinge, chamber, etc.
-Switched to Hornady 117 gr. btsp ammunition.
-Will use the front rest placed just in front of the trigger guard.
-Inspected the scope, rings, etc. to insure secure mount.

One additional thing I noticed, is that once a shell had been shot, it didn't eject.  I had to remove them with my hand.  I polished and throughly cleaned the chamber, but still not ejecting properly.  I am wondering now if there might be something wrong with the ejector causing my accuracy problems.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  I have another handi-rifle which I like, but I am having second thoughts about this one.  Any help would be appreciated or if anyone is interested in this rifle let me know.

[quickdtoo]

If you can remove a round from the chamber by hand without a rod, it's a manual extractor barrel which ALL rifles have been for a few years now, they no longer make auto ejector rifle barrels.

Tim

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