Author Topic: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?  (Read 971 times)

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Offline pagris

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Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« on: March 23, 2007, 04:59:19 AM »
Members:  A recent topic concerning the 44 magnum Handi pointed out a common overbore issue with this particular chambering.  This got me wondering - are there other Handi chamberings that are, shall we say, more problematic, overall, than others? Conversely, are there some that just always seem to shoot well?  Those of us that are relatively new to the Handi experience might be interested in this info.  Thanks in advance.
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Offline DalesCarpentry

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2007, 05:04:59 AM »
From everything I have read on this fourm there are some calibers that almost allways shoot well,such as 45-70   30-06 and 223 I am sure there are others but the are some that need tweaking.
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Offline mattparliament

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2007, 05:08:19 AM »
I have a 22 hornet, 270, 35 whelen, 45-70, 17 HMR, and a 44 mag.  They all shoot really well if I do my part.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2007, 05:37:14 AM »
It's far easier to name those that have had more problems than others, the 44mag and 38-55 are on the short list, although they both have their work arounds! Most all Handis have longish throats, with the exception of the .45-70 which is short throated in general. The .308 Winchester has been reported quite often with accuracy issues. The .243 Superlight can be finicky to find an accurate load, but with patience, can shoot very well.

Tim
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Offline aulrich

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2007, 06:54:54 AM »
It would also be hard to guage since there must be a dud rate, you know x/1000 that get through QA/QC that should not have and you expect to see more reports of duds with the more popular chamberings, just through the sheer numbers. 
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Offline PartsMan

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2007, 08:11:04 AM »
Some 7.62x39 and 35 whelan had trouble with missfires.
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2007, 09:08:27 AM »
The problem with that great all american .35 Whelen has reportedly been traced to a bad batch of ammo. At the time .35 Whelen factory ammo was in very limited supply and I believe it was Remington .35 Whelen that was the problem. Since them Federal has re-introduced the .35 Whelen in it's ammo offerings. the problem was with the primers IIRC, I believe Quick also just had a bad batch of primers in his reloads. If you reload or use good factory ammo (easier now with the new Federal offerings) you should have no problem with the .35 Whelen. I have a 26" Handi barrel in .35 Whelen and it is great. Another caliber that is always spoken of as having great inherent accuracy in the Handiis is the .280 Remington. I don't know of anyone that has one that doesn't like it....<><.... :)
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Offline EVOC ONE

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2007, 09:43:33 AM »
There are four calibers, or perhaps individual rifles, that I have achieved out of the box, exellent accuracy.  They include, both the Handi and Ultra .223; .30-30; .280 and .45-70.  None of those rifle have required the use of any accurizing techniques. 

One of my .280's loosened up last year (I've only shot factory loads through it).  I returned it the NEF.  They replaced the barrel, no charge, and sent it back.  The accuracy picked up where it left off.  :)


Offline hellacatcher

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2007, 10:03:10 AM »
The one I realy think of being bad for me was a 22 hornet. I did have 280 for a short time that didn't do good.
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Offline Ranger J

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2007, 04:10:23 AM »
I have only owned four barrels, the 45/70 is excellent and I still have it.  The .223 bull and 308 bull were accurate but stuck an occasional empty in spite of chamber polishing.  The .44 was disaster accuracy wise.  Two Stevens 200s and a Marlin 1894 have replaced the last three.
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Offline just bill

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2007, 04:24:08 AM »
The 22 Hornet has been good for me, solid 3 shot moa average with just factory Winchester loads, a value 12x scope & bags, factory trigger and of course......me  :).

Bigger scope,trigger job,real rest & reloads and a better shooter with keen rather than fading eyesight/mechcanics   ;).......who knows?


Offline Devy55

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2007, 05:26:33 AM »
I'm still tweaking my .243 to get better accuracy.  I'm floating the barrel and trying to find the right ammo configuration, but I'm sure sooner or later, it'll work out fine.

Offline eskimo36

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #12 on: March 24, 2007, 08:03:30 AM »
now now...don't be bad mouthing the 38-55.  Now I understand you can't just go buy factory loads and and go to the range and shoot MOA, but proper sized lead and the proper amount of crimp or lack of crimp and it is a very good lead bullet gun.  Bullets are readily available for the bore size of the 38-55 guns unlike the 44 mags that suffered from having oversized bores.
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Offline greg916

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Re: Handi Chamberings - The Good & The Bad ?
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2007, 10:58:37 AM »
Worst I had was a 22 Hornet.  Would not shoot any factory load I tried very well.  However 4198 and 45 gr Noslers did the trick!
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