My NEF .243 Super Light has Accuracy Problems

204Shooter · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2007 Posts: 68 Location: Diana, TX

This past March, my bride bought me a NEF .243 Super Light single shot rifle for my birthday. I was tickled pink because she don't like shooting very much. So, it must of took a lot of gumption (is that a word?) for her to buy me this rifle. Anyway, because of the AZ heat, I didn't get around to mounting a scope on it and trying it out until recently. I did my normal thing and purchased a set of dies for the .243 Win and made up handloads with different charges to start developing a load for it. It has a 1 in 10 twist so I picked one of the heavier bullets - an 87 grain Hornady hollow point to try out. My first trip to the range was a disappointment. So was my second trip, as was the third trip. I purchased some commercial ammo and tried it. Again I was disappointed. When I say I was disappointed I mean the gun will not shoot any better than 5 inch groups at 50 yards! I think I could do better with my slingshot. Very Happy

I search around the internet to see what I could find out about these rifles. First there is topic in the Varmint Hunting forum on here about the NEF rifles. Most comments were very positive. I also found a large group of owners on the Graybeard forum discussing the NEF rifles. I read many of their posts. It seems the .243 and especially the super light version of the .243 NEF rifle has accuracy problems. I contacted H&R1871 the manufacturer of the rifle and have sent it back for them to look at. I am hoping they are able to "fix" the inaccuracy problem. I am afraid it my take a new barrel or even a new rifle. I am not sure. It is the first time I have ever sent a rifle back to a manufacturer. Have any of you had to do that before? What were the results? What kind of results should I expect to receive? I am hoping my wife has not thrown away her money on something not useable.

I will let everyone know what happens.

squirrelbait

204, I have some personal experience with NEF.
I bought a handi rifle in win 243 several years ago. Honestly I don't remeber the first problem, I think it was trigger pull but I was getting reasonable groups with factory ammo: maybe 2" at 100yds. I sent it back and they returned it quickly, problem fixed.
I started reloading and was having pressure problems right off. It seems the throats are VERY short back then. I had the gun open when fired ejecting half the brass to rear. My son was shooting. Fortunately his head was out of the way in time.
I live in NH and drove to the plant in (the commie state of) Ma. Talked to the sales manager. They gave me my purchase price and $80 for the ammo I burned thru it. They are very respectable people. I think I just had a bad experience.

redneckhunter

i have a 25-06 in a nef handi rifle
my problem is that it will not shut when i put reloads in it (fl sized and trimmed) Shocked

even ran it through a neck sizer die to double check the neck. when i do get it to shut and fire it ,the rifle breaks open when fired.
anyone else have this problem ? i just sent it back to the factory and they installed a new lock piece and a new spring that does nothing to help it with reloads tho, any help is appreciated Very Happy

squirrelbait

Redneck, check my previous input.
Beyond the locking mechanism, you have to be sure you trim your cases to absolute minimum length. Very short throats.
Does it shoot factory ammo ok?

204Shooter · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2007 Posts: 68 Location: Diana, TX

redneckhunter, Try reading about the NEF rifle on the Greybeard forum. Several people have reported the same problem you are having. I think they tried polishing the throat with Flitz. Make sure the cartridge is fully seated and protruding when you lock the barrel and receiver together.

redneckhunter

where is this greybeards forum ?

204Shooter · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2007 Posts: 68 Location: Diana, TX

redneckhunter,
Here is the URL:

www.go2gbo.com/

Go to the forums and then scroll down to NEF/H&R Talk. They have FAQ about the rifles that might be of some help. I caution you about posting there. Unless you appear to be 150% in support of this rifle (as in "man it is the greatess thing since sliced bread!") you will meet some real backside holes. The people on that forum do not want to hear anything negative about the NEF rifle. Enuff said....

blackblue · Rookie Member Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 1

Possibly have one of the sloppy chamberd 243's.

204Shooter · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2007 Posts: 68 Location: Diana, TX

blackblue, don't know. I do know you would have trouble hitting the broad side of a large barn with this thing! I am really hoping (praying even) that H&R can fix it.

roklok

I would not buy one, my brother in law has one in .270 Win and has had accuracy problems and extraction problems. I did not think it was possible for a rifle to be that innaccurate until I tried it out.

204Shooter · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2007 Posts: 68 Location: Diana, TX

H&R has told me that they have fixed my rifle. I asked what they did to it and they told me they have replaced the barrel. I guess I will see how well the new barrel shoots. It is enroute and I expect it to arrive about Wednesday of this week. I'll try to get to the range this weekend and see how good of barrel they put on it. H&R also told me they sent a couple of targets with it. I'll let everyone know how well it shoots. I especially want to see if it shoots as well as their targets show. :-)
Jerry AKA 204shooter