Author Topic: Trying to decide on a Medium Bore Handi Barrel (Read 959 times)

Bob A · « **on:** October 02, 2008, 09:58:37 AM »

I am pretty sure that there isn't a bit of difference between the 270, 280, 7-08, 308 or 30-06 as far as a deer is concerned.
Are there any known differences in accuracy potential with a handi rifle in these calibers?
I don't load for any of these today, so this decision involves a bit more than the barrel. I will need to invest in dies and maybe bullets and powder to start load development.
Your opinions will be welcomed

Bob A

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2008, 10:20:38 AM »

I just do not know how the 30-06 can be beat, unless the recoil is too much for you. It is very versatile, you can buy ammo where ever ammo is sold any where in the world. It will handle anything on the North American continent except the big bears and will even do those if you can put the right bullet in the right place and have enough confidence to reload and get off another quick well aimed shot. If the recoil bothers you then the 7mm-08 will do most every thing up to moose and even those if again you place the right bullet in the right place. If you want to really stretch it out here, then the 280 sure has some slick (high BC) bullets that will reach out a looong ways with authority. Now that I think about it some more; they are all good, and any one one of them will shoot well and I have heard of them all shooting well. I say pick the one you want, you can always add a barrel or just buy another one. If you are going to reload, you may want to think about the 30-30 as a deer rifle. You can use pointy bullets in a Handi, they have a good reputation for accuracy, easy to load for, cheap and you can buy ammo just about any where if you run out and very low recoil, that just about anyone can handle. If you are not going to be shooting over 200 yards and not planning to go Kodiak hunting, the 30-30 may serve you well. No matter which one you pick, they can shoot well. Good Luck and Good Shooting

skifastchad · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2008, 10:23:22 AM »

My RMEF handi 280 is the most accurate gun I've ever owned. I'm sure it has to do with being a 26" barrel. I don't think you will find any of the others on your list with the long barrel. On the negative side, it is also the hardest to find factory loaded premium ammo in many places, and the prices are out of control when compared to .270 or 30-06 ammo.

Bob A · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2008, 10:29:27 AM »

I should have added that I have several 30-30s and I'm looking for something to reach out a little past 30-30 range.

Thanks a lot,

Bob

Troyboy · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2008, 10:38:45 AM »

All good choices. I have the 308 and the 270 as well the 7-08. I'd get the 30-06 or the 308. Only because ammo is everywhere.

Troy

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2008, 11:02:04 AM »

Bob - You did not give the 30-30 as a choice

It is just such an outstanding cartridge especially in a Handi I just threw it there as an option.

RonO777 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2008, 11:10:00 AM »

I'll throw in a vote for the 308. I have one and just love it.
Ron

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2008, 11:12:54 AM »

put all of your choices in a hat on different pieces of paper, reach in and pull one out...lol... they are all great calibers to have... you can't go wrong with any of them... except ammo for the 280 is a little harder to find locally...

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2008, 03:45:48 PM »

I've got the 280 and 7mm-08 and both shoot real good. Every 308 I've had was also a shooter. 06 will do anything needed and the 270 is cherry. Glad to help.

DP

Slufoot · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2008, 03:49:20 PM »

What LaOtto222 said!
Very good advice on cartridge selection.

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2008, 03:59:59 PM »

Quote

I just do not know how the 30-06 can be beat

Me either......everything else is almost as good as the .30-06. If you don't believe me, read the ballistics charts.

http://www.huntingmag.com/guns_loads/30_06_springfield/

petemi · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2008, 02:41:27 AM »

I guess I never thought of .30 calibers as being medium bore. I was thinking in terms of the 7mm-08 and the .270. Considering the .30s, I'd go for the '06 for the wide range of ammo available or the .308 for its inherent accuracy.

double R · « **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2008, 05:07:10 AM »

308 then the 7-08 have both very good guns

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2008, 06:05:22 AM »

If you go with the 06 or the 308 you probly already got bullets you like. But all are very good choices .I'm for puttin them in the hat and pickin one.Kurt

canon6 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2008, 06:21:13 AM »

308,30-06 will of course work , but I would vote for the 7mm08.Great cartridge Doug

krod47nw · « **Reply #15 on:** October 03, 2008, 06:34:59 AM »

My vote is for the 280. It has always been my favorite, is a great shooter, and has the advantage of the 26" barrel.

Kevin

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2008, 12:15:06 PM »

If you already own a Handi 30-30 have you thought about handloading? In a single shot you can load bullets with far better BC's than factory lever gun loads and "stretch" the 30-30 quite a bit.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 04, 2008, 01:26:22 PM »

I've got the .270 and 7mm-08, and they are both hard to beat for what you want to do, but the only reason I'm going with the .270 is the availability of the ammo, which you can buy anywhere and from what I've found, several bucks less than the 7mm-08, which isn't always easy to find.

Both are a lot of fun to shoot, and little to no difference in either one, as far as accuracy and recoil.

If your primary use is going to be for hunting, I'd not worry about dies and working up loads, as they are deadly accurate calibers under hunting conditions, using factory inexpensive the better ammo.

If it's to punch small holes in paper from a bench, then the extra expense could be necessary, but they are plenty accurate as hunters with cheap ammo.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** October 04, 2008, 03:33:46 PM »

I'm a fan of the 308. It actually has the most loadings for it. Every shop carries some kind of 308 and usually in 3 loadings 150, 165,and 180. Every shop will carry 270 and 30-06 but I Have not seen a box of 7-08 or 280 in a shop in a long time. Heck walk through Wall Mart and see what they have.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 04, 2008, 11:11:14 PM »

Yep, just saw the add in the paper about the local big box store sale on 30-30, .243, .308, .270, and .30-06 in the paper this morning.

Also another reason to own one of the common calibers!