Author Topic: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?  (Read 845 times)

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Offline Jal5

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How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« on: January 26, 2010, 10:27:25 AM »
I have been using several sandbags just in front of the trigger guard or with my hand resting on top of the sandbags holding the forearm if the seat and sandbags was not the right height for me (I am pretty tall).
Do you use the standard bench rifle vise and if so, is there any special way you set it up with the Handi?
We have one like this at the club and I am going to try it out, just looking for any suggestions particular to Handis.
Thanks
Joe
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2010, 10:36:55 AM »
I use a Leadsled DFT adjusted with the front support under the front of the frame/back of the forend, before that I used a Cabela's Premier rest adjusted the same.

Tim



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Offline gcrank1

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2010, 11:40:55 AM »
Soft Caldwell bag full of cat litter works for me with everything OK. I usually use just my shoulder rather than a butt bag (filled the same). Once on I shoot offhand if its a hunting rifle and dial in for that, then check again off a casual rest as may be used in the field. Find where it shoots with the first shot out of a cold barrel.
With the front and rear bags I do have some fine braggin' groups from time to time, but have found I have to spend time doing bench work to stay consistant. Little differences (like getting the buttplate in exactly the same spot on me) are important, as well as finding my 'neutral' position that lets the rifle recoil impulse come straight back. Any pressure to one side or the other will translate to a wide shot. Also, some rifles like bag full of lead shot (but I dont like to carry it) or sand and some do fine with something softer like the cat litter for their best groups.
I think I saw a picture of a fellow who sights in Anschutz factory rifles using a boat cushion as a front rest from the days when they sent the target with the rifle. Tiny little groups.
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Offline S.E.Ak

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2010, 11:46:51 AM »
I do all my sighting in setting or standing,its the same way I shoot while hunting

Offline wreckhog

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2010, 01:55:29 PM »
I try and support it as close to the hinge as possible. If it has a pistol grip style stock (Tamer/Survivor/Varmint/ATI), I shoot it one handed. Well, as much as possible.

I used to try to boresight it by opening the action, sighting through the barrel and adjusting the scope. Now I just set up a giant piece of cardboard, and make some random dots on it. Then I pick a couple of dots to align the crosshairs against, and fire one shot. Adjust scope and fire another shot. Til I get close to what I am aiming at. The giant piece of cardboard allows me to pick many combinations of spots to align against. After I finally get it dialed in at 25 yards, I drag out the spotting scope and do the same thing at 100 yards. Then I try and shoot a few groups.

Offline STUMPJMPR

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2010, 01:59:41 PM »
I have an very heavy adjustable rest.  It is very steady.  I adjust it back so just stock and the frame is supported.  That plastic rest you showed a picture of doesn't work very well.  It's too light and the clamps don't hold very well.

Update:

It is a Cabela's premier rest.  It works great except for having to glue the pads back on.

Offline Swampman

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2010, 02:02:38 PM »
I use one canvas penny bag filled with styrofoam pellets.  I don't pay much attention to anything else but the crosshairs.
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Offline bigvarmnt

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2010, 02:15:15 PM »
I've had one of those Site-vises for years. I never tried it with the Handis. I thought that clamping on the stock against the barrel with my bolt guns may affect accuracy. Don't think it would be good with Handis with their touchy forearm to barrel quirks. ??? Also as said they are a bit light and unstable.
Try it and see and let us know if it's what we've been searching for.
I don't seem to shoot all that well anymore so I won't say how I do it. It's my Secret ;D  Will be interesting to hear different techniques ;)  Good Luck!

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2010, 02:28:07 PM »
Here's the Premier rest from Cabelas and the Caldwell Leadsled DFT.

Tim

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Offline Swampman

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2010, 02:43:37 PM »
No matter how hard I try, I can't use a mechanical rest.
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline Oldshooter

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2010, 02:58:42 PM »
Well Santa brought me a new lead sled dft and it makes sighting in a pleasure, especially for the big bores.

I use it exclusively now! I can sight in a 300 win mag as thought it were a 223.
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Offline Lefty Dude

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2010, 03:26:29 PM »
I use a Cabela's San Angelo bunny ear front shooting bag, filled with 25 lbs of # 8 lead shot. I rest the rear of the fore-piece at the pivot in the middle of the bag.

My Son has a Lead-sled, I just can not shoot with that darn thing.

Offline RA51

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #12 on: January 26, 2010, 04:19:33 PM »
I use this shooting rest, plus have a leather bag at butt of rifle.

http://www.exploreproducts.com/media/shooters-ridge-tri-stance-gun-rest-withbag-40874-lg.jpg

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: How do you sight in your Handi rifle?
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2010, 12:26:22 AM »
I have been shooting over sand bags for so long, my results are as good as I could hope for. I make my own with old dungarees legs filled with kitty litter, play sand etc. One smaller one at the butt, and one or two under the hinge in the front. The gun sits perfectly stable and on target with not one near it.

For varmint hunting with bolt actions I do like the bipods attached to the for-ends. But find that they are not so great on my handis...

CW
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