Author Topic: First shoot .223 tomorrow, should I ring the forend bolt first (Read 1785 times)

MTNRGR · « **on:** March 23, 2013, 08:20:55 PM »

Guys,
I pop my H&R cherry in the morning, first time for me with an H&R, and first time for my .223, its going to be monumental.

I was just wonder if I should ring the fore end bolt right from the get go, or roll without it and see what she does?
Either way we are both nervous ....jk..LOL..

MTNRGR · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2013, 08:32:48 PM »

Anyone, anything?

Jason F · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:27:26 AM »

Why not shoot it first. See how it shoots.

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2013, 03:31:45 AM »

Make sure you read the handi 101 sticky at the top. As for the ring, I've learned to just shoot them and see what happens. We always seem to want to tinker with them without proving something needs to be changed.

I've learned this the hard way too. Take a notebook with you and write down what you've tried and the result.

Good luck!

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2013, 04:11:30 AM »

Can't you take an O ring with you and try it both ways?

If you use bag etc, be sure to rest on the receiver as close to the trigger as you can. That's probably in the 101's with other hints as kicker said.
Hope she's good to you

Let us know.

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2013, 05:08:09 AM »

When I put together a Handi or a new one comes home, it gets an "O" ring. All of mine have it. I've never had to take one off to see if it would shoot better. Pete's quirk number 742.

Pete

gcrank1 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2013, 10:40:32 AM »

They seem to get better over time and number of rounds through, so if you shoot for groups early on and think you have a 'baseline', then add the O-Ring and shoot groups some more and think you get an improvement it may, or may not be because of the O-Ring.
See, that was a lot of help.........

Play with it and get familar......unless it just isnt doing close to what you want wait a while for some break in before changing 'only one thing at a time'.

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2013, 11:05:00 AM »

Just curious Ranger, what if anything have you done already, in preperation, to your Handi before taking it out to shoot? It might be helpful to know beforehand, if you have problems or questions about the Handi after the first test shoot. Then the folks here might have a better idea in what direction they might point you IF things don't work out as you hope.

Bill

MTNRGR · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2013, 11:21:01 AM »

Bill,
All I have done is mount a scope, got it new in the box. Didn't get to shoot it today either, got called in to work.

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2013, 11:38:19 AM »

Quote from: MTNRGR on March 24, 2013, 11:21:01 AM

Bill,
All I have done is mount a scope, got it new in the box. Didn't get to shoot it today either, got called in to work.

If you haven't cleaned off the factory grease/gunk you'll be sorry.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2013, 11:42:05 AM »

Quote from: YRUpunting? on March 24, 2013, 11:38:19 AM

Quote from: MTNRGR on March 24, 2013, 11:21:01 AM
Bill,
All I have done is mount a scope, got it new in the box. Didn't get to shoot it today either, got called in to work.

If you haven't cleaned off the factory grease/gunk you'll be sorry.

Yupper, Handi Basic rule #7, ya know.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,116451.msg1098375514.html#msg1098375514

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2013, 11:50:09 AM »

You know you're gonna have to quit that job now that you started down this path

Yes, I'd clean it good, you said it didn't Eject. I know it's an extractor.

Hope you reinstalled the scope base. Good Luck Oh I never tried the o-ring. Gonna have to read in the basics and try it. Maybe that's why I can't hit those dimes

Oldshooter · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:00:20 PM »

I stand with the "see what it does first crowd" I bought a 223 barrel here and slapped it on my 270 frame, it fit well and shot it. (i'd post a pic of the target but for some reason I cant get to myhostedpics right now) It made 3/4inch groups at 100 yds right off.

MTNRGR · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:18:54 PM »

I guess I will be taking the scope off and remounting the base. Thanks for the tip....
...Cant quit my job, to many Handi's I want now.....oh and the wife and 3 kids factor in there somewhere too...lol..

MTNRGR · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:20:35 PM »

It doesn't even make an attemp to eject. It was M855 ball that I was chambering to test it out, don't know if that is a factor or not.
And I havent even shot it yet, that might factor as well.

tacklebury · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:33:37 PM »

5.56 military has a slightly longer leade in the throat than .223 This is why H&R doesn't recommend shooting it in their .223 firearms. You have just proven to yourself that you don't have a long throated handi-rifle, so I'd stick to .223 for sure with yours. My newer bull barrel 1:9 twist has more than enough leade to cover the mil-spec ammo and I still avoid shooting it, prefering my own ballistic tip loading. Mine's a lot more consistent according to data gathered with the chrony. Even my low power loads have a +/- 11 SD.

Using milspec in yours could cause you overpressure and a dangerous condition.

MTNRGR · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:42:50 PM »

I thought that might be the case, but I'm a newbee and wanted some expert advice. Thanks Tacklebury
sure do miss my home state, especially with all these crazy NY gun laws
M GO BLUE

tacklebury · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:45:52 PM »

Yah, that'd be a tough switch. I just moved 14 miles out of town and now will be able to set up my own range. I'm doing birms at 25, 50, 100, 300 and 600 yards.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:49:12 PM »

Extractors won't eject, you have to manually remove the round from the chamber, it only removes it less than ¼", does it do that? If it doesn't, I wouldn't use that ammo, it doesn't necessarily mean the bullet is into the lands either, could well be discrepancies in the chamber/brass itself, I'd be willing to bet it isn't into the lands, no one as ever reported a short throated 223, particularly with a 62gr bullet, on the contrary there are hundreds of complaints of long throats, if yours is short, it's the first.

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:03:47 PM »

How about blacking the bullet with a Magic Marker then chambering & closing the action. When you extract it look for the marks of lands on the blacking (if it is into them it will show).

MTNRGR · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:39:15 PM »

Ok duh, my bad. All I've ever had for a single shot is a 20 guage and that thing launched spent shells 5 feet. I was expecting my H&R to do the same. As I have stated in most of my 10's of posts', (almost 30 total now

) I am a newbee. Someday I hope to be all grown up have 10,000 posts' and roll my eyes as I answer some newbee's no brainer questions, even though he has hunted his whole life, spent 17 years in the infantry, and owns over 20 guns, (all bolt and lever....obviously

) and should have some idea or atleast shoot the gun before he shoots his mouth off on some forum, like myself....

Bare with me guys, I'll learn...eventually

-Jason

UPDATE: WOOHOO over 30 post

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:43:21 PM »

Don't feel bad, lots of long time Handi owners have been disappointed when they found their new Handi doesn't eject, H&R quit making ejector centerfire rifle barrels several years ago, started making extractors almost 10yrs ago, since about 2007 ejectors only come on rimfires and shotguns.

Ejectors = spring ejector throws the round over the shoulder.

Extractors = manual removal by hand.

Tim

MTNRGR · « **Reply #22 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:48:03 PM »

I don't mind, keeps my fingers employed atleast. Just thought maybe I got a defective gun. Fell better knowing now, though a little stupid too.

Thanks

gcrank1 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:59:47 PM »

No worries, Jason! This is a forum where most of us wont try to make you feel stupid (unlike some other places on the net). As long as you are receptive to advice and some good natured humor this is a good place to hang; ie, we've ALL been where you are at one time.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 24, 2013, 02:04:14 PM »

you won't have to hunt your brass
like i do

MTNRGR · « **Reply #25 on:** March 24, 2013, 02:10:45 PM »

gcrank1, thanks I figured that since I've been getting solid advice and not beat down...

Ranger99, true.. but I have to imagine a follow up shot, though rarely or never needed I'm sure, is a few seconds quicker

Ranger99 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 24, 2013, 02:19:08 PM »

it 'll work.
practice makes perfect.

if your needing a bunch of fast
shots, get a semi. no manual
operated firearm will match

MTNRGR · « **Reply #27 on:** March 24, 2013, 02:32:32 PM »

Muscle memory, that works for me.
Tired of semi's, made me "lazy" with marksmanship fundamentals knowing I had a full mag to follow it up. I actually just sold my AR and bought the Handi and 2 others with the money. Sounds crazy in the current environment, but I wanted to be able to shoot and not worry about current and proposed laws. Plus, I'm trying to get into long range accuracy shooting which is why I went with a single shot.

stewmagoo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2013, 04:13:20 PM »

Quote from: petemi on March 24, 2013, 05:08:09 AM

When I put together a Handi or a new one comes home, it gets an "O" ring. All of mine have it. I've never had to take one off to see if it would shoot better. Pete's quirk number 742.

Pete

Pete,
Still trying to get the weather here to cooperate so I can shoot. Still trying to find the right o rings for my forearms. Anyhow the important question is what torque do you put on the forearm screw when re attaching.
Stew

LaDano · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2013, 04:40:31 PM »

MTNRGR, don't feel bad at all. I've done asked all the dumb questions, well I still have a few more. Hehehe. Welcome to the board, bunch if great people here.