05 January 2009, 15:40
Martin GodioNEF strengh and cartridges.
Hi,
I bought a .270 Win. NEF some years ago (1995?).
It shoots incredible with Hornday Custom ammo at first, 1 to 1.5 MOA.
Then, as I began to reload and use other ammo never could get the same accuracy.
I found some "play" at the action, as I can close it with a paper between the back of the barrel and the breech.
Finally sold it.
I get the impression that the .270 Win. have to much pressure for this action.
I would like to hear some experience with this rifles.
Thank you very much.
Martin
05 January 2009, 17:24
Mad DogMartin, I don't own one, but my son has shot one for 3 yrs. To me the guns are kind of a crap shoot. You get a good one, and they are really good, you get a bad one, well....
My son got an H&R Ultra[fancy handi rifle], .30-06 in 2006. We started having trouble with it from the git go. Stuck casings, then a broken transfer bar, etc. The gun crapped out 4 days before our African safari, this past summer. My son borrowed my buddy's .30-06 handi rifle, took it to RSA, and shot 7 head of game with it. That gun is a keeper. When you read enough about the guns, the rimmed cartridges, such as the .45-70, .30-30, etc., seem to be the most accurate and trouble free. That might answer 1 of your questions about pressure, these cartridges work at a lower pressure. Don't know if this answered any questions or not, but that's my take on these rifles, you either lovem or hatem

Mad Dog
07 January 2009, 04:43
Martin GodioMad Dog,
Thank you very much for the information (and the permission).
I think that high pressure cartridges are not good for break open rifles.
Thanks
Martin
10 January 2009, 01:03
tnekkccI calculate that the NEF is much stronger than the 45/70 brass.
I worked up a load with an NEF 45/70 until the brass flowed.
The 45/70 case head is stronger than the 270 and has more area.
I got no change in head space with more bolt thrust than you.
10 January 2009, 10:49
asdfquote:
I found some "play" at the action, as I can close it with a paper between the back of the barrel and the breech.
Does this mean you didn't find such a gap when the rifle was new?
Many (most?) break open rifles leave a gap between the breech and the barrel. Some models of Maynards had gaps of about a tenth of an inch.
12 January 2009, 06:13
dsmit50quote:
Originally posted by Martin Godio:
I think that high pressure cartridges are not good for break open rifles.
Thanks
Martin
I and many Encore owners beg to differ.
13 January 2009, 15:02
Martin GodioThank for your answers.
asdf,
I do not know if there was a gap before, but I check the gap after I found some movements with the action closed.
dsmit50,
No offece intended but for years break action rifles use low pressure cartridges.
I know the Encore was designed for high pressure.
Thanks
Martin
14 January 2009, 03:09
Dave James http://forums.accuratereloadin.../4711043/m/848109883check this thread and see what they are doing with the NEF/H&R