223 Ultra-lite?

[James B]

I was looking at some NEF rifles today and the salesman showed me a synthetic stocked 223 that appeared to have a barrel about 20 inches long. Anyone have one of these and how do they shoot?

[MSP Ret]

The ultra lights seem to be the most problematic of all the Handi's, especially for several shot groups, for a hunting situation where one shot or 2 at the most, it may be fine. Just sight it in where the first shot hits and don't worry about the barrel heating up and the following shots walking over the target. I just had an Ultra light made up in .22-250 for a truck and varmint gun for coyotes and such where you only get one shot at a time. It should be here tomorrow and I will try it in a while....<><....

[Stan in SC]

The Ultra Lite's do seem to be the most problematic concerning accuracy.I had one in .243 that would put the first shot way high and right.Then the following shots were fairly well grouped.When I would take it to the range I would fire one fouling shot and disregard where it hit.I hit upon the method with the help of suggestions on this forum of just not cleaning it all that well and leaving the barrel slightly fouled.That helped some.
I still was never of the opinion that the accuracy was as consistent as it should be.I did kill two deer with it but there were problems there also.On the first deer I missed the first shot completely and was able to reload and make a killing second shot.Why it just stood still after the first shot I'll never know.
On the second one I didn't hit where I aimed and after finding blood and looking for three hours I gave up.The deer was found a week later by other hunting club members a long way from where it was shot.
That rifle was sold shortly thereafter.
Other models of the Handi rifle have seemingly less problems than the ultra lites.That's just my experience but I'll never buy another ultra lite.

Stan

[Datil]

 I had 223 Super Lite that shot 45 gr. WW box real good, Then had it rebore & recamber.
 My Dau in law got one It all so shot ww 45 good also group about 1" right out of the box
 after getting scope tighten down. Marv.

[James B]

Thanks guys. I really liked the way the rifle felt and handled. It seem like it would be a short havdi pick-up rifle. I have had two NEF 243 rifles and had nothing but problems. I just couldn't make them eject. The cases stuck bad. None of my many other handi's ever gave me this trouble.

[cattleskinner]

Here is a pic of the one that I had a couple of years ago.  It was as most people say when it comes to accuracy.  That rifle had practical accuracy, and not bench accuracy.  It would keep 3 shots within a 2" group or so at 100 yards.  With 2 close to each other, and the other out from the group.  That was back when the H&R forum was still around, and there  wasn't the wealth of info. about tricks as there is on this site.  I also hadn't gotten into reloading then, and I most likely could have shaved at least a half inch off the groups.  It always seemed to be able to kill the groundhogs the majority of the time with black hills ammo.  You're right though, they handle oh so smooth even if they have a spotty reputation for accuracy.

~~Amos