List of "Do-able"calibers..Standa

[Fred M]

9x19.
The 250 Savage would make a nice Handi. Easy to make from a 223. I choose a 257 Roberts instead, for better handloading applications with lower pressures.

For the same money you can get an Encore or a Ruger#1 in 257 Roberts. A substantially more robust system and a chance to install a new barrel without major reboring. gun smithing anf birthing pains.

The Handi is best left in factory chamberings if funds are a criteria. You pays your money and takes your chances.

[Mac11700]

9x19.
The 250 Savage would make a nice Handi. Easy to make from a 223. I choose a 257 Roberts instead, for better handloading applications with lower pressures.

I agree completely with you on the above..but I completely diasagree with you on the rest..

For the same money you can get an Encore or a Ruger#1 in 257 Roberts. A substantially more robust system and a chance to install a new barrel without major reboring. gun smithing anf birthing pains.

The Handi is best left in factory chamberings if funds are a criteria. You pays your money and takes your chances.

I can get a brand new 25-06 Ultra for $225..add to that $300..and that equates to $525..This is still cheaper than eith a Encore or a Ruger#1...and  most anyone that is mechaniclly inclined can follow the directions in the FAQ's for barrel fitting..so that gives them the option of saving a-little over what the factory charges...unless of course they are buying off e-bay    

Pressures aren't really a issue if the gun is put together correctly..and I have seen more assembled correctly than not...Sure with the other 2 you have a lot more choices of calibers offered..but..at a substantialy higher initial investment..Custom calibers in a Ruger will cost as much if not more...and then you  don't have a switch barrel rifle..and buying a custom chambered Encore barrel isn't cheap by no-means..

I've talked with a-lot of gunsmiths and rifle builders..and they all tell me the steel in the Handi is top-notch....and these folks make their living working on firearms..so..go with a reputable smith like Wayne York or Harry McGowan or others of the same ilk.....and I am quite sure you will enjoy the results...

Mac

[mr.frosty]

what about the 458wm in a handi?
nothing stiff but factory level loads.
i know the 45/90 and the 45/110 aint no slouch

[Datil]

Mr Frosty
 NEF/ H&R all ready makes or has made 450 Marlin!
 But every has there own wishs, I have mine,
 Safe is full now someday i'll get another safe see if I can fill it.
 Marv.

[myarmor]

Ok so so far we have:

Stock Standard offered at this time:
-22 Hornet
-204 Ruger
-223 Rem
-22-250 Rem
-243 Win
-25-06 Rem
-270 Win
-7-08 Rem
-280 Rem
-7.62x39 Russian
-30-30 Win
-308 Win
-30-06 Springfield
-35 Whelen
-357 Mag
-38-55 Win
-44 Mag
-45-70 Government
-450 Marlin
-500 S&W

Other possibilites so far:
-338-06 AS                        
-338-06                                  
-338 Federal                          
-375 Whelen    
-357 Max
-32 H&R                  
-7mmJRS                          
-270JRS                                    
-270 Redding                              
-6.5-06
-260
-6.5x55
-6.5 TCU
-7x57mm
-257
-6x47
-17 Rem
-22 Cheetah
-222 Rem
-225 Win
-41 Mag
-414 SuperMag
-405 Win
-44 SuperMag
-45-90
-45-100
-45-110
-45-120
-32-20
-35 Rem
-500 Martin
-303 British
-7.62x54 Russian
-8x64
-220 Swift
-219
-25-35
It's nice to go over the possibilites. What about the 6mm PPC, 218 Bee, 22 PPC, 6.5x55, 7-30 Waters, 30cal M1, and the 30-40 Krag?
I know there are lots of others out there, keep um coming.

EDIT-Sense this list keeps growing, which is a good thing :agree: , I figured I might as well add a Disclaimer-Not all of these Callibers are confirmed 100% safe and "do-able" in a Handi.
At least untill we can get a qualified GunSmith in here to confirm all them.

I just got my email back form Wayne, and very quickly too I might ad. Here is his response to the list we came up from above:

Aaron,

 

All of your possibilities are doable, however you should not  chamber short magnums and ultra magnums as pressure is to high for NEF.  I have attached a list of reamers that I am currently chambering.  Many of your chamber selections are oddballs and we would have to purchase or rent a reamer to do them.  This cost would be born by the customer

 

Wayne York, Gunmaker

[knight0334]

Sweet... I might have to do a 500 S&W to 500 Martin(50 Alaskan necked from .510" to .500") for a moose/buffalo/elk/groundhog hunt.

[Curt Dawson]

Whatever happened to the 30 Apache?It was wrote up back in the early 80's in Gun Digest.It was simply the standard 223 necked up to 30 cal.Sort of an early vesion of the 300 whisper.But cheaper to reload for.

[Fred M]

Curt Dawson.
Not the greatest idea necking up a 223 to 30. The necks get really thin on one side even when annealed.
A 223 to 6mm or a 25 is not too bad.

A 6mmBR necked up to 30 is ok because of the thicker neck wall. But they have to be outside neck reamed for uniform neck walls.

[Curt Dawson]

Thanks Fred.

[c_latrans]

The 30 and 357 Herret's should be do-able and I think a 221 Fireball would be great..........Dale