What causes this? (target photo)

[necchi]

Well??

ddarn tried to get it up,,It's down there as a link

223 bull,,100yrds
Hornady Sierra 45 Hornet
26gnrs Varget
Rem 7 1/2
Book COAL,No crimp
No wind, temp 26 degrees
bench, bags under the frame

[quickdtoo]

Need more info, the vertical stringing is usually caused by forend pressure and barrel heat, my 308 does it consistently until after the first three shots, then kinda stays consistent, the top 3 shots was ½gr more, all shot one right after the other to see how the bull barrel handled heat.

Tim

[aromakr]

If those climber's were the last shots taken I would guess a hot barrel
Bob

[peternap]

If those climber's were the last shots taken I would guess a hot barrel
Bob

Yep.

[Lazermule]

If those climber's were the last shots taken I would guess a hot barrel
Bob

Yep.

Yep +1


LM

[necchi]

 They were actually 2 five shot sessions, each 5 shot's fired back to back, I wasn't speed loading for sure, just a casual open/load/close/shoot. I spose' 45sec to a minute between shots. The 4 climbers where the last two of each session.
Hhhmmm. I didn't think in 26 degrees that it'd heat up that fast.
 Interesting lesson, I guess it's not the overall heat of the barrel,,it's the "change" of temp that changes the fit. I am kinda surprised the bull did that. I thought I had that forearm fit taken care of,,that's what must have happened to that one on the right! Um, Ya,,that's it,, the forearm did it!
 I guess I'll load some more like these and try again, taking abit of a break between shot's,,trying a few with the forearm off. After all it's about being able to get one cold shot anyway's, right?

[peternap]

   After all it's about being able to get one cold shot anyway's, right?

I love it when people talk realistically 

[Mike in Virginia]

A hot barrel will definitely do it. I've been know to carry water and a washrag to the range, to expedite the barrel cooling between shots. Thin barrelled .223's can really generate some heat. 

[trotterlg]

This a very common problem with H&R or any other break open action type rifle.  I am still working to get the vertical stringing out of my 17 FB Handi.  Larry

[rickt300]

See about removing any pressure the spacer between the forearm and the frame might be giving you. I bed my forearms to the barrel and have virtually no stringing.

[necchi]

See about removing any pressure the spacer between the forearm and the frame might be giving you. I bed my forearms to the barrel and have virtually no stringing.

Hhhmm, ya know there is something going on there, there's a bit of a wiggle at that spacer/frame matchup point.

[quickdtoo]

Barrel wiggle with the action open? That's not an issue.  Or the forend feels loose?

Tim

[necchi]

Barrels good, factory fit thats still tight.
I'm useing the o-ring fit and unless I have the screw tight,,15# or so torque I can see the spacer move on/near the frame if I twist the forearm. can still float paper in there with the screw that tight.
Ya know it's interesting, I use the same frame with a 7-08 and I shot it that same day,,22 rounds back to back like I did with the 223 and I didn't have that kind of string,, but for the heck of it, I rtv bedded that forearm,,
 I'm begining to second guess myself on that 223 forearm fit, maybe the darn thing want's a little pressure, winter is here and it get's dark fast so I can only shoot weekends, and I can only change one thing at a time if I'm going to tune it proper, I guess this is going to take a few weeks. 

[Sourdough]

Try shooting no more than two or three shots then giving the barrel 10 to 15 minutes to cool.  In hunting the first shot is the only one that counts.  I make all my practice shots first shots, by only shooting from cold barrels. 

[mrbgt]

I see you list the bullets as hornady 45 hornet , hornet bullets are .223 dia. , but if you have a remington .223 barrel, you should try the .224 dia. bullets . 

[necchi]

Oop's! I did say hornady,,
They are Sierra, thanks,, I'll fix that. I do appreciate all responses here.

[revbc]

From what I understand, the brand is not a problem.  Check to see if you are shooting Hornet bullets.  They are smaller diameter.

[Steve P]

Well??

ddarn tried to get it up,,It's down there as a link

223 bull,,100yrds
Hornady Sierra 45 Hornet26gnrs Varget
Rem 7 1/2
Book COAL,No crimp
No wind, temp 26 degrees
bench, bags under the frame

Like said before.  Hornet bullets are .223 dia and the .223 Rem bullets should be .224 diameter.  YES, it does make a difference................... 

Steve

[mechanic]

This a very common problem with H&R or any other break open action type rifle.  I am still working to get the vertical stringing out of my 17 FB Handi.  Larry

I hope you were not expecting sympathy.............................I couldn't even see the dime to shoot at it anymore...

[necchi]

.

[cwlongshot]

From what I understand, the brand is not a problem.  Check to see if you are shooting Hornet bullets.  They are smaller diameter.

I see you list the bullets as hornady 45 hornet , hornet bullets are .223 dia. , but if you have a remington .223 barrel, you should try the .224 dia. bullets .  

 Correction.. OLD Hornet diameter was .223. but not for a LONG time now. Its been .224 for many, many years. BUT, you are correct, one is generally best served using correct HORNET bullets. They have a different ogive, are lighter in weight and ahve thinner jackets. Now even thou our handis are not as particular, those with a box mag need to mind the OAL as well. Most manufacturers make HORNET appropriate bullets. Years ago I loved the little SPEER 40Gr "pill". Now thanks to many guys here, the 35gr Hornady and Lil' gun powder is my best shooter. But like mentioned, do not under estimate the Rem 45SP bullet!!

 Every-one's opinions seems to mirror mine. I would first look at the for-end. Then look at the basics, mount, base and rings. Eliminate the easy things first. Remember, just cause something is new, doesn't immediately remove it from suspicion. I would closely check and adjust latch engagement and trigger pull followed by a really good barrel cleaning. Lastly I would adjust OAL and powder charges. Its all part of the fun of owning a handi. Once we have the firearm all "tinkered" move to the loadings.
 How much fun would it be if we opened the box to a sub 1/2" shooter every time? Call me crazy, but finding that once in a while is OK, but I actually like some tinkering.  

CW

[rickt300]

I'm bad about doing all my tinkering first before I even shoot the rifle. So far all my Handi rifles have been shooters.

[necchi]

 I actually got these because they were on the bargin shelf, just over $10 because the box was open. I checked them all to be sure there was no "oddball" in the bunch and sure enough, there was only 99.
 Seem's this store has trouble with folks and "patty fingers",,I got a box of winchester factory 7-08 and there was a .243 cartridge in the box!
 Anyway's, I got'm just to load and goof around with,,"learning curve". I learned I like boattail bullets,,their much easier to seat for a feller that has ALL thumbs for digits on both hands! Darn little .223 ammo is a pita, heck, my daily vitamin is a bigger pill than those things!

 How much fun would it be if we opened the box to a sub 1/2" shooter every time? Call me crazy, but finding that once in a while is OK, but I actually like some tinkering.  
CW

That's why I'm drifting towards these Handi's from ML, it's fun! I've got the trad ml stuff down pat' after 25+ years.
The simple stuff we can do can add SO much too Handi's,,Shooting's a challange and fun again.

[briannmilewis]

Sierra Hornets come in both .223 and .224.

[cwlongshot]

Sierra Hornets come in both .223 and .224.

Yup...

 and Hornady makes .222, .223, .224, and .227 dia "22 cal" bullets.
 Like I said, the 22Hornet began its life as a .223dia round. Now its loaded with .224 diameter bullets. No harm in loading or shooting the .223's in the hornet, but accuracy will likely be better with the .224's. The .222dia is made for the 22JET and the .227's for the savage hi-power.

CW