Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots I am looking for a single shot rifle for Elk.

The Encore isn't very attractive but they do shoot ok. An entire Handirifle sells for less than an Encore barrel. Each to his own.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,101787.0.html

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,101787.0.html

Swampman,

You're beating a dead horse, because everyone knows those stinking pallet wood Handi Rifles aren't any good. Couldn't be any good, because they only cost $200. Anyone that has one ought to be horse whipped!



They need more than one! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Especially when they, without a tinkered with trigger, will shoot as good as a, gasp, Ruger or Encore! Like this <3/4" .357 Mag (second one from the top) 100 yard 250 gr cast bullet group. It's even built on a shotgun frame!



I don't guess any of the ones I have will shoot over 1/1/4" groups at 100 yards, even with cast bullets, including the pallet wood shotgun framed .45-70 that's on top in the picture. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Here's the site that shows how to do a "trigger job" on the Handi at home.

The RMEF (Rocky Mountain Elk Fund) Handi in .35 Whelen is out of production, but now they're producing the one you linked to.

I wish I could fine me a RMEF stock set. Folks are really missing the boat on these great little guns.

Do you work for NEF or something?

No one has missed anything about them, or the other singleshots, but most of us sure as helll know what each will and won't do and what they are and are not...

WTF... I never knew that there was NEF flavored Kool-Aid, but there obviously is and that stuff must be STRONG...

Just trying to get some folks to see that there are some great inexpensive products that you don't have to fix before they will shoot MOA groups. I can never figure out why folks will defend poor workmanship and poor accuracy just because they think a gun is pretty.

Well Swampman, you have to admit, there isn't any "snob appeal" to a $200 gun! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I suppose it might do damage to one's ego to have a converted shotgun shooting about as good as a high dollar gun.

Here's another "shotgun" Handi group.



I actually use .360 DW brass in my .357 Mag chamber, even though it hasn't been reamed. It isn't unusual to have a longer chamber in the pistol chamberings and it isn't unique to NEF. I sent some of these loads to Florida, to be successfully used in a T/C .357 Mag.

Swampman1,

You sir, Are obviously a Scotsman... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Also, there is a difference between inexpensive and "cheap".

I once owned one in a .243 Win. very briefly. It was very accurate. However, it didn't cause me to sell any of my Ruger #1's. I'll not deny, that they fill a niche, But you can bet the farm that they're not cutting into the sales of Merkels and Blasers. (Or Ruger #1's, for that matter)

If I ever run across one in 7x64, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. But only as a vehicle to burn up all the 7x64 ammo I have lying around. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[color:"green"]Grasshopper [/color]

Grasshopper,

I'm glad you said that with a smile. I don't have a drop of Scottish blood in me, it's mostly German! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Since you didn't specify which you consider the Handi to be, inexpensive or cheap, I'll just have to assume it's inexpensive. Cheap would imply a lack of durability, shoddy materials and failure to perform to expected standards.

You admitted the Handi is accurate and the design is a proven one, dating back to the early '50s. The pallet wood stocks aren't the most beautiful ever produced, but they don't bend, spindle or come loose at the seams. I think that pretty well establishes inexpensive as the appropriate description.

If we're talking about being attractive, the Handi is certainly more appealing to the eye than a T/C, which happens to be dog ugly IMO.

In total sales, I suppose there isn't any contest for the Merkel or the Ruger approaching the volume of sales the Handi has in either H&R or NEF form.

So, I don't know what the point is in objecting to using a Handi rifle.

All of the groups I have posted of Handi groups have been shot with 3-9X Bushnell $29.95 scopes. I prefer the word frugal to cheap. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You do have to admit, however, that there is a significant amount of difference in the intrisic value of a NEF, or H&R, than a Ruger #1, Merkel, or Dakota 10.

[color:"green"] Grasshopper [/color]

Well, I ain't a rushin' out to sell my number one just so's I kin buy 5 NEF's, and I shore don't want no handgun calibres shooting inch groups at 100 yards. I had a model 27 S&W that would do just about that good off a rest.

My 405 will shoot full house factory 300 grainers at 2270 fps into under an inch at that range, and it ain't no lady's gun. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For the record, I ain't knockin' the NEFs. They are, and have been for me and others, very good guns. They just ain't all that and a bag of chips too.

For what they are, what they do, helll, they're a great gun. That said, I'll still take a #1 or a T/C any day for a variety of reasons.

Shucks, I suppose that's OK, but how about a real big bore? Maybe like a .45-70 at 100 yards?


Want another one with a little more powder?

Someone get EvilTwin over here with that .45-100ish of his...

Ya mean These?? 45=110 Sharps original

Winchester High Wall 45-90

How about some groups thereof, since I KNOW they shoot well (even if they ain't NEFs........)

VAnimrod,

That wasn't good groups, just average ones I happened to have saved.

Did I tell you the .45-70 is made from pieces?

It began life as a shotgun and I bought a used barrel to go with some wood from another receiver. Then I mounted a $29.95 Bushnell 3-9X on it, but that's an expensive Bushnell. My first one cost $25, for a 2-8X 32 mm in 1965. Of course, the Rem M600 it went on only cost $75, brand new. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And?

No one ever said the NEF's couldn't shoot. Some fools just said that the #1s and T/Cs wouldn't.

I'd still take the #1 or the T/C over the NEF any day, for a number of reasons (ergonomics and strength, to name just two).

Strength? I suppose you got me on that one.

I know the Handi is chambered in .280 Rem at 60,000 psi, but I don't know if they go any higher than that.

I've shot a few 400s at 1900 fps out of my shotgun frame, but I don't make a practice of it. Shucks, a shotgun is only supposed to be SAAMI rated at 14,000 psi and I would imagine that 400 is a little over that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

BTW, did I mention that .45-70 cost me less than $200, including that high dollar scope?