needing encouragement

[1 id dog]

 Well Folks I fell in love with a 500 S&W handi at the gun store and brought it home. So far I'm discouraged with the accuracy during break-in. Inconsistent POI and poor accuracy. 3" (3) shot groups at 50 yards ain't gonna cut it. I demand a good bit more even if it is a close range deer gun. I have only fired sixty rounds so far shooting mag-tech 275 grn SCHP's at $43.00 per box it's becoming an expensive deal. Before I spend a fortune in ammo, reloading equipment, components, and a lot of time doing custom accurizing tricks. Can I expect acceptable accuracy, am I asking too much to get under a 2"-2.5" moa at 100 yards out of this combo.  I know these little rifles have a reputation of being pretty accurate, is the caliber capable? I would like to get your opinons before I continue with this project.

[quickdtoo]

You're not the only one that's had accuracy problems with their 500 recently, but there are also a bunch of us that they shoot very well for, not fantastic, but you should be able to get 2" groups at 100yrs with it, that's what mine does with handloads. Make sure you've read the Handi 101 Basics , if you're good to go there and are still having problems, I'd contact H&R and ask that it be repaired, or just call em and make arrangements now, be sure to ask em to cover return shipping since it's a new gun, ask for a free trigger job while it's there if the trigger is over about 3½lbs.

Good luck,

Tim

[1 id dog]

  Thanks Mr Quick, You recon I ought to send it back first just in case. Is it better to go through the store or go direct with the mfg.

[quickdtoo]

Either way works, but H&R will likely pay the shipping if one of ya ask, but be sure to check those Handi basics first, a simple thing like oil on the latch shelf or you not pulling the trigger all the way back each time you shoot it, or not closing the action with some force each time, can cause the inaccuracy you're having, Jon the gunsmith at H&R says 90% of the accuracy complaints he gets are from oil on the latch, all he does it clean and dry it, then test fires it. If you call them, or email them, they might tell ya what ammo they test em with or recommend, might give you something to "shoot" for!!

If you email them tonight, they'll likely respond tomorrow am.

Tim

(866)776-9292
hr1871@hr1871.com

[Spanky]

The only words of encouragement I can give concerning the .500 is to get rid of it and get a 45-70!!
Read through the posts on here about the .500 and you will see alot more bad than good.
Horrible accuracy, shooting loose, expensive ammunition, etc.
I guess the .500 can be made to shoot acceptable groups but it seems to take alot of trial and error finding a load that will shoot well.
In my opinion, the .500 is one of those solutions to a problem that didn't exist.
Good luck with it, I hope you can get it to shoot for you.


Spanky

[quickdtoo]

As Spanky said, unless you're saddled with the Indiana pistol chamberings, the 45-70 does everything the .500 does and a lot more, and cheaper ta boot. You can always have H&R replace the barrel with another chambering of your choice, that's been done for at least two others, the new 44mag is one that you'll be happy with if you need a pistol chambering, otherwise the 45-70 is tops in both accuracy and popularity.

Tim

[poncaguy]

should have got the 45-70, less than an inch at 100 yards...............sorry.....

[quickdtoo]

I just had a another thought,  in John Taffin's testing of the 500 Handi, he got the best accuracy with the Hornady 500gr XTP ammo, 5/8" at 25yds, runner ups were the Hornady 300gr Evolution ammo and Cor-Bon 400gr hard cast at ¾" at 25yds, so there's some ammo to try.

Tim

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_53/ai_n16866654/pg_4

500 S&W Ammo

500 S&W Ammo