Sureshot,
I bought a very lightly used one about 18 months ago. I bought a Simmons 44mag scope and Weaver rings and trotted down to the range. I spent 4 hours and 60 rounds trying to sight it in. Boresighting it and getting it on paper was no problem. Trying to get acceptable groups that stayed on the same point of impact was futile. I put it in my closet and set out to find out about the whys and hows of Handi Rifle accuracy.
After some research and applying the most common mods (trigger job, bed scope base and use locktite, find more solid scope rings and use locktite on them, float the foreend, and install a rubber barrel lug spacer) I returned to the range about 6 weeks ago; 6 shots in about 15 minutes at 50 yards to get centered, 10 minutes later- 3 shots to check elevation at 100 yards, several clicks to lower the point of impact, and the last 3 were exactly 2" high at 100 yards and grouped 1-1/16" due to one called shot being about 7/8" from the other two. I left the range very satisfied.
I was shooting factory Remington Express Core-Lokt 150 grain ammunition. I'm thinking that with care on the range, my Handi is about a 3/4" @ 100 yard rifle shooting the Remington Ammo. Needless to say, I ran back to the Walmart and bought 4 more boxes, of which 3 were the same lot number. I will be taking my Handi to the tripod this season. I may experiment with other ammunition after this deer season, with an emphasis on some lighter bullet testing.
Overall, I'm ecstatic about my 270 Handi. It took a little work, but considering the dollar cost to value, I'm way ahead of the game. I like it so much, I'm going to get the Heavy Barrel .223 (not the Ultra, but the 22" Bull barrel). I'm also waiting for the Topper Deluxe Classic to come out in 20 gauge for my wife.
Good luck and be patient
cricman
