Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots H&R HANDI-RIFLE

What can you guys tell me about the Handi-Rifle?
accuracy?
reliability?
i want to get one for my second oldest son
hes just turned 13 and i want to give him a late birthday present
caliber reccomendations?
i also want to put a buddy lok on stock to hold 6 cartridges and a bipod if possible

More accurate than it oughta be.
As reliable as most need it to be.

What caliber are you considering?

probably a 243. win
or 25-06 rem

might use it for huntin too

The .25-06 with the 26" barrel is the truest sleeper in their inventory.

I've shot a few of them, and every one of them was superb. The triggers are generally heavy, but crisp, and the accuracy was WAY better than it ought to have been (sub 1" with factory fodder).

first rifle? .30-30. they come with pretty good iron sights, and you could scope it, too, with a weaver-style mount. the rimmed cartridge handis are VERY accurate. if your boy develops a yen for longer-range hunting, you can always buy a suitable barrel of your choice. graybeardoutdoors.com is the handi-rifle site of sites. lots of stock and barrel options ...

I've had H&R's of 223, 243, 308, and 30-06. Actually, a couple 243's. Never could get them (243's) to group. The 223 was adequate at 100 yards. The 308 as well.

But I currently have the 30-06 that I put open sights on and an "extra wimpy pansy-a$$" load of 43gr H4350 and 110 gr speers. It is scary accurate (or maybe I'm just that good).

Naw, its a scary accurate piece.

Like was mentioned before by VA, I believe the majority of folks have good reviews of the 25-06 as well.

My son has one in 45-70. Will shoot 1" at 100yds.

My buddy Leon bought one and we shot it last weekend. Again, 1" groups at 100.

This is the 3rd Handi rifle in 45-70 I've seen do this using Hornady LeverEvolution 325 gr. ammo.

They will foul quickly, 20 shots or so and accuracy will suffer. The Hornady ammo leaves a ton of powder residue.

I think it's the best rifle for the money out there right now. Use the DNZ gamereaper mount (best mount for this rifle in my book) and you don't have to worry about poi shifts.

The first mount we put on my son's wasn't stout enough and the recoil from the 45-70 rounds would give us flyers every now and then.

jm: those barrels do smooth out after a couple hundred shots. i also shoot a handi .45-70. what a compact buster it is.

I own one in 45-70 and as has been posted they are one great rifle. They are much more accurate than rifles costing hundreds of dollars more. Simple in looks and fit but superb in the shooting dept

Screw the .25/06!

Get a .280 Remington barrel instead!! Its also a 26incher and will do everything the quarterbore thinks it can, and with a better selection of bullets.

In a Handi-Rifle? I think for a cheaper singleshot (compared to the T/C Encore) its a helluva deal and "program." If one starts with a rifle cartridge on an SB2 frame (NOT the shotgun-only SB1 frame), A Handi-owner can have nearly any barrel made by H&R/Remington fitted to that SB2 receiver for one truly versatile gun!

I have a Handi-Rifle Survivor I bought in .308Win, and have added a .22LR Versa Pack bbl, a .280Rem, .45/70, .30/06 and 20gauge bbl. When I can I'll add a .223Rem bbl and .357Mag I'll have rechambered to .357Maxi, and .22WMR bbls rechambered to .218Bee, .221Fireball and possibly the .22Jet. The .22WMR are .224 caliber rimfire barrels, but fitted to the centerfire SB2 receiver offer an inexpensive way to customize a barrel in whatever .224cal chambering a shooter might want.

Many youngsters start with Handi-Rifles in .223R, .30-30W, 7mm-08Rem, or .243W. For whatever reasons the .243's has had a reputation (often) for being tempermental to inaccurate.

If your boy is big enough for his age, consider getting him a .308Win or .30/06 for Bg hunting, or a .30-30 or .223Rem for easier recoil or cheaper ammo if necessary. If 'dad' reloads, the sky's the limit on what a Handi-rifle can do with H&R's Barrel Accessory Program.

Two websites to become familiar with;

www.hr1871.com and

www.GraybeardOutdoors.com (where a strong cyber-following of Handi-Rifles and H&R products resides)

go get 'em duck. it's clear you are a handi-holic ...

Ha! I think a Handi-Rifle is potentially a best-buy sorta gun - depending on the owner and his "purposes", but my ultimate Bg shooter will be a Ti M700 or Kimber Montana.

I have owned Handi rifles in 30-30,.243,45-70 and .270.The .243's suck,really suck.The 30-30 is great.The .270 is so-so.Ther 45-70 is wonderful.I presently own two of the 45-70's.
I will not comment on other calibers in this rifle due to not having owned any others.
I'd say get him a 30-30 and later add a 45-70 barrel if he wants it.

Stan in SC

.243s definately are problematic.

i've only got a plastic stocked .45-70 right now with williams peep. it'll get a workout this season. i'd like to have a laminate straight grip stock set ...

I have several Handi's. I have only had dificulties with two barrels out of the bunch I have had. One was the 243 and one 357Mag. The 243 was both an accuracy problem and a function problem, Neither could ever be solved and that barrel went down the tubes. The 357 took a little to figure out and ws an accuracy problem that was caused by an off center chamber..solved by a rechamber to 358 Bullberry by OTT. It is now one of the most accurate and versitile rifles I own. I have recently aquired a Handi in 44 mag on the cheap from a neighbor who needed some cash, It has not yet proven to be real accurate..at least to my standards...but it has one of the best Handi triggers I have ever seen, It will do 2 to 3 inch groups at 75 yds and is there for accurate enough for the task of short range deer and hogs..it's intended use. I have a .223/30-30 combo that is really a fine shooter that I put together for my nephew.. He loves it and shoots it real well.

All in all for the bucks they are pretty good guns. The seven I have are serving me quite well

shortgun

Bought a .243 Handi for the grandsons to deer hunt with. Shoots a little over an inch at 100yds. First hunt, first deer, one shot, one kill.

I muzzel loader hunt with another Handi in .50 cal. Easiest ML to load,site in and shoot I,ve fooled with. Handi's are a great buy .
O

I have a Handi with 2bbls.
1 is a 308 that has marginal accuracy and the other is a 357 Max rechamber by David White.
The Max is very accurate and will shoot MOA. It is a geart woods rifle and the Max is a 35 with less recoil than the 35 Rem.

My son hunts with a .243 youth model that's down right cute. He'll be stepping up to a full size rifle next year. I plan on putting a slip on pad on the the youth rifle and using it as a "truck gun." It shots 100gr Remington Corewhatever's into about a 1" group at 100yds. Great gun.

I use a .45-70 buffalo classic during primitive weapons season. with the Hornady lever revelotion bullets it'll do just over an inch.

I've had great luck with then.

Terry

Edit: I went out and sighted my son's rifle in today. it was raining but other wise calm. This group is at 100yds and pretty normal for this rifle with 100gr Remington factory ammo.

it is clear you guys got some dandy .243s ...