Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles Info on H&R 340 please

Thanks Pappy. When I saw it in the gun rack, it got my attention. I had never seen one, so I did a quick internet search on what they were selling for. The shop had it marked $630.00 with the old Burris 3-9x40. It is the same shop where I found a scoped Winchester 5 digit classic model 70 for $500.00. Kind of a honey hole I like to hit up when I'm in that area. The only issue I see with this rifle is how the weaver style scope mounts are mismatched. Maybe a receiver issue? However, I kept seeing on the package that weaver bases may need to be modified or fit to an action. I have never seen this before to this degree. I usually bed the weavers on my sporterized m1917 rifles, but these mounts are beyond just bedding. With every combo I tried, there was about a .060" discrepancy. I can hand fit them and bed them. I'll eventually do that, as I prefer the weaver style mounts over the windage adjustable Leupolds.

Check the numbers and compare to the list. They may not be the same as FN ones, as I found out about 40 years ago.

I tried 2 different sets. Typical "mauser" mounts that are 45 and 46, and then the Interarms mark X that most suggest using. Those are 55 and 20A. I remember reading some threads here and guys were having a hard time finding the right mounts and that is what was also suggested. I also tried a combination of the 2. 45 and 55, I believe and that was very close to being in alignment, but the scope was pointing upwards. No bueno there. Just got through shooting a few groups with the rifle. It definitely shows promise after free floating the barrel. That was a good move.



Now for the nitty gritty:


The first shot was very low. I had to shoot one of the 10" steel plates at the 100 yard range to see where POI was shifted to after free floating the barrel. Center hold on the steel plate and it still hit below the plate. Around a 6" shift, so there was quite a bit of pressure on the barrel. In this picture, you can see the steel plate I shot at, as well as the paper targets on the backer board. Not a great image though the scope because the camera on my phone was trying to focus in on the back of the receiver. Those targets were literally "flapping around in the wind".


And the real proof of the pudding. On target as per always:




In my mind, it was too windy to be shooting for ultimate precision, but it was a great check to see if accuracy/precision improved after freefloating the barrel. Rifle shows a lot of promise. Now to start developing a load for it, since these were loads I developed in my pre 64 model 70 fwt. It is a great load though, as it has worked in about 7 different 30-06 rifles. I'm pretty happy with my new cheap rifle.. After I develop a load for it, I'll stretch it out to at least 400 yards..

How many of you guys actually shoot your Mausers? Stretch their legs a bit?? Every time I take one out, I always worry if it's going to hit the target at 400 yards. A couple years ago I met a guy that was checking his really nice sporter m98. It was dialed right in at 100 yards, but when he shot it at 400 yards to check POI, it was off by about about 12-16". It was not even that windy that day either. It shot so bad that he had to shoot at the life size hog we had set on the hillside. No one ever shot at that target, well I didn't shoot at that target. It was too fn big!!!


The pig was too big...^^^ Now, this guy asked me if I'd spot for him and see how far off he was. He said he was going to aim at the center of the hog. First shot more than a foot low and 16" to the right. He makes some adjustment in the scope and fires again. He hits the pig in the azz and I say you are still a foot to the right, but on steel. He said cool, made an adjustment and was closer on the next shot. It was a beautiful rifle, I wish I remember who built it. I then said, now how far off is it going to be at 100 yards??? He said, "I don't know lets try it".. I asked if I could look at his rifle and he said sure. I admired it, but at the same time I noticed the scope was not centered up on the bores axis. it was noticeably off and pointing to one side. I thought that could be why it's not shooting well at 400 yards.
After checking it out, he shot it at 100 yards. It was off to the left by about 5 or 6"... I thought, hmm. What would I do with this thing, if it were mine? I'd probably use windage adjustable rings and try my best to get it centered over the bore axis and in perfect alignment. Thank god I didn't have that kind of issue with this new H&R 340 today!!! Messing with a MOA or more load today, I didn't expect the greatest precision. The rifle is solid now though. I don't think I'd give it up too soon. I do need to load up some more loads with the 180gr Winchester powerpoint bullet. The rifle really seemed to like that old proven load. I have 5 other 30-06 rifles that love that load. Anyway, with a pointy plastic tipped bullet, this is how it did today:

100 yard accuracy fairly abysmal. I'm either going to try a new bullet, or different powder next time out. Maybe even a 178 ELDX. I didn't expect much at 400 yards, and I was right. Not great, but at least I was on paper:


I had to hold the upper left hand corner of the paper to drop it in closer to the orange dot. I knew my hold, based on the 10" steel plate I shot at:


That is slightly over moa (about a 4.5" group). The yote was an easy target as per usual, but I did not do any head shots today. I'll need to work up a much better load for that. Just held on center of the body, with the 4th hash mark down:



Here's the freefloating I did the other day:



That helped immensely.. This is a reminder to take your mausers out shooting. I'll shoot this one a little bit more, working on some loads to see what it likes. I won't be doing anymore work to the rifle, even though I'd like to fit some weaver scope mounts to it. I may just leave those crappy Leupold std's on it.. We will see.. In the thread, "when is it good enough".. 1/2 moa or 1 moa?? This load is 1 moa, I'll find one that is 1/2 or close. Then it will be good enough. Good enough for an old mauser hunting rifle, anyway..

I fit the steel bases I got in yesterday.



I also glass bedded the bases, so the scope tube is not stressed in any way. Hand fitting the bases was a pretty simple operation. Took about an hour, but would have been so much quicker if I had a mill!! Going to these mounts, the rifle lost 1.4 oz's, but the main thing is they are a stronger and more sleek looking. I didn't really want to waste my time, hand fitting $5 aluminum bases, so I opted for the Warne's. Rifle weighs in around 8 1/4 pounds. Not a super lightweight, but feels good and trim in the hands. I'd hunt it:


I may end up with another mauser on the 13th, but we will see..