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Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 78
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 78 |
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,737 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,737 Likes: 4 |
There are a few of us who have them. The only ones I have left are a 22 Hornet, now a 22 K-Hornet, a 44 magnum and a 444 Marlin. I don't bother with the 444 much anymore.
Owning them is a love/hate thing. I had problems with a couple of 22 Hornets and a 30-30. The only Handi that was a good shooter out of the box was a 308 Survivor.
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,118 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,118 Likes: 5 |
I've had a bunch, still have a few including 22 hornet, 243 , 44 mag and 500 S&W .
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 426
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 426 |
You did a lot, but it's more about a good bore. You can do all the things you did, but if the bore isn't good, nothing else matters. I had some that shot okay and others that didn't, the ones that didn't, just didn't, nothing made them shoot better.
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Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 78
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 78 |
You did a lot, but it's more about a good bore. You can do all the things you did, but if the bore isn't good, nothing else matters. I had some that shot okay and others that didn't, the ones that didn't, just didn't, nothing made them shoot better. Storage enough about all the ones I've been able to bore scope lately have nice or at least decent looking bores. Will say though they seems to like cast bullets over jacketed for some reason at least the .223 and .22 hornet I've tried
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,159 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,159 Likes: 2 |
I have had a bunch of them. Still have a few. Mine have been ok to very good. The most accurate being a Sportster rimfire 17 M2. It is so accurate I'd shoot it against high dollar rimfires.
My attitude is they are what they are and I like them. I hunt with mine and if I can get 1.5 inch or better groups, I'm good. Load it up and go kill something.
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,059
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,059 |
I have had a bunch of them. Still have a few. Mine have been ok to very good. The most accurate being a Sportster rimfire 17 M2. It is so accurate I'd shoot it against high dollar rimfires.
My attitude is they are what they are and I like them. I hunt with mine and if I can get 1.5 inch or better groups, I'm good. Load it up and go kill something. Pretty much what I always thought of them, too. They were made as a cheap rifle, not a benchrest gun. I've had quite a few of them, and I can only recall one being a real tack driver. Most of them were 2MOA-ish. On the flip side I only ever had one that was a really bad shooter... 22-250. That one habitually broke ejectors, too. I only have one spare frame sitting around without a barrel now. With the prices they pull these days, I don't see myself really chasing after any more in the future... the cheap price tag was always the appeal of them to me, and they aren't cheaper than a brand new CVA or economy bolt rifle that will generally outshoot them anymore.
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 426
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 426 |
I'm not bashing, but they were inexpensive rifle/shotguns. I have couple favorites, but what comes with inexpensive is inconsistence bores (maybe that's why some have success with oversize lead bullets). I think that's why you hear people that have ones that shot great and other people that have ones they can't get to shoot.
Last edited by MOW; 12/19/23.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,019 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,019 Likes: 1 |
NEF made a limited run of handi rifles in 35 REM several years ago, but they are very hard to find
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,920
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,920 |
I have one in 30-30 I bought for cheap to plink and play with. It shoots super good no matter what bullet or weight I’ve tried.
When I die I hope I don't start voting democrat.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,612
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,612 |
I have one in .45/70 that shoots good enough for it's purpose or 1 1/2 to 2" groups with cast bullets.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD: teach me thy paths. "there are few better cartridges on Earth than the 7 x 57mm Mauser" "the .30 Springfield is light, accurate, penetrating, and has surprising stopping power"
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 134
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 134 |
I have 3 actions and six or more barrels
300 Blackout, less than an inch, took a 26” wide muley
30-06 w 165 CorLok less than an inch
223 w Winchester white box, cloverleaf
35 Whelen 1”
35 Remington idk, maybe 2” on subsonic hand loads
Are some of my results
The brass sticks in the 30-06, pain in the ….
I use 1-2 neoprene washers on the foreend 24 in-lb torque on the front screw
That is it You need to try several types of ammo see what it likes
Also the scope rail can bend easy, changing POI
Last edited by MtnT; 12/20/23.
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,357
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,357 |
Most of them are about 1” guns at best, if you wanna shoot small groups, best move on to something else and save all the headaches and enjoy the time spent trying to make something shoot that never was intended too, enjoy that time shooting a known accurate rifle.
Fück Joe byron
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 134
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 134 |
My son 10yo. got a Pronghorn with the 300 Blackout 150yds piece of cake
My daughter got her first Pronghorn with the 30-06, Hornady Lite 125gr ammo
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,737 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,737 Likes: 4 |
Handi rifles were meant for average Joes who couldn't afford to buy bolt action rifles or fancy European rifles. There was nothing wrong with them that a little time smoothing metal tightening up the fit wouldn't fix. I really like single shots and because of the low price, I tried to make them shoot better. Sometimes it helped. Sometimes not. This 30-30 gave me fits as did a 22 Hornet . The lock up wasn't square and accuracy suffered. I do wish they were still being made. They filled a niche. Unfortunately, almost everyone wants a "tactical" rifle with huge magnification scopes. There doesn't seem to be much room in North America for woods rifles with low power scopes these days. Try finding a 4 power scope or an affordable single shot. I guess we'll have to wait until they come back in style again.
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,247
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,247 |
My family shot .444 and .35R Handi Rifles for several years but moved to the CVA models for their better triggers out of the box.
Now with even more aplomb
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,059
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,059 |
Handi rifles were meant for average Joes who couldn't afford to buy bolt action rifles or fancy European rifles. There was nothing wrong with them that a little time smoothing metal tightening up the fit wouldn't fix. I really like single shots and because of the low price, I tried to make them shoot better. Sometimes it helped. Sometimes not. This 30-30 gave me fits as did a 22 Hornet . The lock up wasn't square and accuracy suffered. I do wish they were still being made. They filled a niche. Unfortunately, almost everyone wants a "tactical" rifle with huge magnification scopes. There doesn't seem to be much room in North America for woods rifles with low power scopes these days. Try finding a 4 power scope or an affordable single shot. I guess we'll have to wait until they come back in style again. The CVAs are sorta filling that niche now. Not "cheap" like the H&R days, but they can be had really reasonably, especially if you catch a sale. I got my stainless Scout for ~$350 last summer. Buds still has a dump on the cheaper finished models for under $300 once in a while. In todays's money, that's a pretty good bargain for a brand new centerfire. They tend to be shooters right out of the box, too.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,737 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,737 Likes: 4 |
The CVAs are sorta filling that niche now. Not "cheap" like the H&R days, but they can be had really reasonably, especially if you catch a sale. I got my stainless Scout for ~$350 last summer. Buds still has a dump on the cheaper finished models for under $300 once in a while. In todays's money, that's a pretty good bargain for a brand new centerfire. They tend to be shooters right out of the box, too. I never think of the CVA rifles for some reason. I would like this one. Something to ponder after the holidays!
Safe Shooting! Steve Redgwell www.303british.comGet your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain Member - Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,768 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,768 Likes: 1 |
NEF made a limited run of handi rifles in 35 REM several years ago, but they are very hard to find I imagine a good many are in Mississippi and Louisiana shops/pawn shops/gun shows because they sold a bunch there for their Primitive Weapons Season
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,346 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,346 Likes: 1 |
I have had a bunch over thevyears, some H&R before the Handi name. 30-30, 221 fireball, 44 mag, A couple versions in 45-70. Some were spike drivers (not tack) some sucked. I'm playing with a fairly late 45-70 now. My boys have the rest.
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