Latch fit help (Found the Trouble)

[necchi]

I got a 7-08 extrator from a fellow member and following instructions in the faq's for barrel fit, shimmed the lug pivot to .001 head space,good fit. The darn thing only groups to being able to hit a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet at 100 off a bench, using factory winchester loads
I tried with and without the forearm and had little little to no differance in group.
My .223 bull on the same reciever is 1 1/2" groups at 100, so it's not really operator error.

I'm thinking the latch isn't fitting proper, I've got the latch and latch shelf dry of all oil and close the breech sharply each time.
Here's a photo of the latch shelf "smoked", closed it once and took the pic, I tried this several times and get the same mark. The .223 has an even mark all along the shelf (factory accessory fit barrel).
 I'm stumped. You guy's have any idea's? Thanks in advance.

[quickdtoo]

I got a 7-08 extrator from a fellow member and following instructions in the faq's for barrel fit shimmed the lug pivot to .01 head space,good fit. The darn thing only groups to being able to hit a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet at 100 off a bench. My .223 bull on the same reciever is 1 1/2" groups at same.

.010" headspace is way too much, do you mean .001"? The SAAMI max is .006". Headspace and barrel to frame gap aren't necessarily the same thing, if the chambered round is recessed below the chamber mouth by .XXX" and the barrel to frame gap is .XXX", you won't have any accuracy to speak of. Ideally, there should be no barrel to frame gap, that will leave headspace at zero to .001" or .002" depending on how far the round is recessed in the chamber, flush would be ideal. Read the Handi Basics 101, if the fit is proper, something else is wrong, oil on the latch/shelf is THE number one cause of inaccuracy, poor latch engagement and/or improperly closing the action is right up there too.

Tim

[quickdtoo]

You edit is very telling, the latch engagement is lacking, the pic in the FAQs show's what you're looking for, if the barrel to frame gap is .001", you'll need to shim the shelf more than likely, maybe Larry will do his machined shelf modification for you, otherwise you can shim it yourself, that's in the FAQs too.

Tim

[OBXPilgrim]

Looks to me like you don't have enough shim at the pivot.

If that's all the contact you have on the latch, the shelf is still too low, IMO.  The latch is moving all the way up the shelf like it should, but you need to have enough stock on the shelf to spread the contact all the way across the shelf.

What about the back face of the barrel?  Smoke or mark it with a black marker & make sure you have contact across the face - it wouldn't be the first time the front lugs aren't cut even.

[necchi]

Well I figgered it out,,It was the darn SCOPE!! Dropped another scope on it, got it on at 25 then moved out too 100 knowing I'd need adjustment. shots 1,2,3,4 each had scope adjustments,,then I took a rest to let the barrel cool. It's a little high for 100, but I'm happy for now,,I'll be dialing in for 1st cold shot anyway's

this is factory winchester ballistic silver tip 140 grn, steel case, 2770 fps

darn it, couldn't get the photo up it's down there as an attachment

[quickdtoo]

Excellent, dang nice shooting and good work!! 

Did you do any more work to the latch shelf?

Tim

[necchi]

Nope, just dried the latch and shelf real good and oiled the pivot lug, and made sure sure I gave it a good firm closing.

I didn't have time to try a trigger job myself, so I had taken it to a local smith that did a nice job for around 65. I think being a "good smith" (and he is an honset man) he lubricated everything well during re-assembly and I'm still getting a litte trickle down from the internals.

I did use the simple method you posted in the faqs for the barrel fit, it's wearing a .004 feeler gauge up front. .005 was too much.

I have another delema though;
 I took the scope off my 223 for this, the ole' K-4 just ain't what she used to be.
Now, should I upgrade to a ; Leupold Varx I or Nikon Buckmaster,,40mm or 50mm,, or,,

[quickdtoo]

Any of those scopes are good, the VX1 is very Handi friendly with a small power ring for hammer clearance.

Tim