Author Topic: Handi Ranch Rifle (Read 1787 times)

redhawksixsh · « **on:** February 21, 2009, 02:06:41 PM »

Ok guys, what's your thoughts on a ranch-truck rifle for deer,coyotes,pigs,etc. I have 2 ranches and can't see more than 150 yards in any direction. 30-30,44 mag,357,etc. and I reload. Thanks. Jeff

brennemanj83 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:33:17 PM »

Quote from: redhawksixsh on February 21, 2009, 02:06:41 PM

Ok guys, what's your thoughts on a ranch-truck rifle for deer,coyotes,pigs,etc. I have 2 ranches and can't see more than 150 yards in any direction. 30-30,44 mag,357,etc. and I reload. Thanks. Jeff

I would have to say the 30-30.Kida hard to beat it for a good rifle out to 150 yards or so.In a handi you can load it with pointed bullets and get a little better trajectory out of it.I use Hornady 165gr Interlock Spire Point Boattails in my Savage 340 30-3 bolt gun loaded with 28grs of AA2230.My second choice would be the 44 magnum.

Datil · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:41:28 PM »

I would say any of the three you named but on 357 mag ,
I would say ream it to a Maxie, Makes a world of difference.
JUst MHO. Marv.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:45:17 PM »

I think I would agree with the 30-30, I have all 3 in the handi and for what you want that is a very good choice. DP

redhawksixsh · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2009, 03:08:50 PM »

Thanks for the replies. I had a h&r 30-30 years ago and lost it in a divorce. It shot well out of the box. I hope I have the same experience with a new NEF out of the box.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2009, 03:14:41 PM »

Then get the 357 and 44 to round out the start of a long and happy single shot collection. I mean come on, 2 ranches gotta have more than 3 Handi's!

DP

cwlongshot · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2009, 04:15:28 PM »

I will have to agree with previous posters and recomend the 30-30 over the other choices. The 357s are usually very good but the 30-30 is almost always a yop accuracy pic in the handi line, not to mention best trejectiory of the three at 150 yards. I would love to say 357, but feel its runnign out of steam fpor anything past 100 on larger game.

JMHO,

CW

mangulator · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2009, 04:24:10 PM »

Go with the 30-30 I have one in a Handi and love it rugged and reliable. I topped it with a Bushnell 1 X 4 circle X love it .

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2009, 04:31:57 PM »

I just gotta beat Pete to this.......Get a .45-70, Then add the others.

BTW judgeing by your handle ya already got a .44. Or am I missing my read of it?

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:05:40 AM »

I'd say go with the 30-30 also as the ammo you will be able to find anywhere, and especially in any rural area that has a store that sells ammo which is most.

When I go into those stores in those out of the way small towns, I always look at the ammo they carry just mainly out of curiosity, and there will always, and I mean always be 30-30 shells behind the counter or in the case.

redhawksixsh · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:57:07 AM »

Thanks again, guys. I already have some sierra 125's on hand, I will start looking for some loading data for 30-30. Dry here and the coyotes are getting close to my trash cans beside my garage. Never seen them so close nor have I ever seen it so dry in 43 years.

brennemanj83 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2009, 04:55:55 AM »

Red try reloadersnest.com for loading data.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:08:37 AM »

Quote from: redhawksixsh on February 22, 2009, 03:57:07 AM

Thanks again, guys. I already have some sierra 125's on hand, I will start looking for some loading data for 30-30. Dry here and the coyotes are getting close to my trash cans beside my garage. Never seen them so close nor have I ever seen it so dry in 43 years.

I also tried this lite bullet route some years back and abandoned it as I never got the kind of accuracy I did from 150 and up weight bullets. (Sierra 110HP, Sierra 125HP and Speer 130 sp) The one acception that came some years later was the Nosler 125 Ballistic Tip bullet. I was able to get some very good accuracy and performance on game with the 30-30 in a contender. The 150 Gr will expand on yotes, dont you worry!!

CW

carbineman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:52:21 AM »

I would go for the 30-30 and if you could find an old Topper model, you will be back in the saddle again. I found the newer SB2 models a bit heavy in the barrel for my liking. Every now and then a complete model comes available here in the classifieds or sometimes just a barrel. I bought two barrels here and built my own, adding to the Toppers I already had.

As for loads, I like the 130 grain Hornady SSSP bullet (now discontinued) if you can find them, or the 130 grain Barnes have done real well accuracy wise. The Hornady for practise and the Barnes for coyotes.

And sorry to hear about your loss (the Topper of course)

redhawksixsh · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:26:07 PM »

I just figured the 125's would give a little better trajectory, but the 150's will do just fine out to 150. Need help with these coyotes here in n.e. san antonio ranch. Haven't had any rain to speak of since september. Hoping for rain this spring. These coyotes are really getting bold, maybe more from growth of the city than lack of rain or food.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:39:16 PM »

I shoot the 125gr Sierra PH SPT(spitzer) in my 30-30AI Handi, accuracy is excellent. Talked with a friend at the range last year that shoots it in his 308Win, has killed mulies with it with excellent terminal bullet performance. The Sierra manual shows it loaded in single shot pistols from 1900fps up, and in other .30cal rifle chamberings to 3400fps, so it has a broad performance range.

Tim

redhawksixsh · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2009, 02:08:22 PM »

Reloadersnest for handi loadings? how far off the lands or just use listed c.o.l.? Thanks quick.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2009, 02:15:10 PM »

I load .005"-.010" off the lands IF I can get there with sufficient bullet seated in the case, but in a longish throat I just load to the COL listed in the data.

Tim

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2009, 02:20:56 PM »

I say buy another ranch and get all three

Kurt

redhawksixsh · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2009, 04:11:35 PM »

I only wish I owned them. I help the development company keep their agriculture tax exemption, and in return I get to farm,hunt,and fish. I do have 45 acres 10 minutes from home that has good deer,turkey,and coyotes. Plenty of room to play with the handies!

LEO · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2009, 04:14:34 PM »

Isn't there some law that if you own/live/work on a ranch you have to own a 30-30. It is probably the perfect handi caliber, accurate, rimmed, low noise, low recoil and plenty potent for the critters you named and the range limitations you said that the terrain dictated are also perfect 30-30 ranges. Don't let peoples talk fool you, the 30-30 is a fine hunting cartridge and most of the people who have had problems with the 30-30s performance either tried to use it at a range greater than it was meant for or did a poor job of placing their shots. I have killed several deer with the 30-30 and have yet to have one run out of sight after being shot and I hunt in some fairly dense areas so they wouldn't have to go far to be out of sight. I killed two deer with it this year, one took one bound and fell and one ran about 25 yards and fell. I am sure you wil enjoy the handi rifle but be forwarned they are addictive.

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2009, 07:23:39 AM »

30/30 is a great round, and it's so timeless lol.

redhawksixsh · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2009, 03:15:14 PM »

I have had a few handies myself. Just didn't know how to make them shoot well. The one that did shoot well was a topper 30-30. Anything I fed it, it shot well. I also had a 22 hornet/20 gauge combo,a 223,243,and a 30-06. I traded with the attorney who handled my divorce. I am remarried now for 9 years, so all is well and I have a few guns back in the safe. I need a truck gun to carry with me while working around the farm, and need something "handy" to load quickly if needed. I went to sportsmans warehouse, and they are sold out of all their handies. I will be looking for one soon! Thanks guys.

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #23 on:** February 27, 2009, 04:03:07 AM »

I stil want a .22 hornet superlight to keep w/ me as a truck/farm gun.

and a B/C 45/70... geez... I need a 2nd job lol...

petemi · « **Reply #24 on:** February 27, 2009, 07:09:39 AM »

Sam. Get YOUR WIFE a second job. It'll give you more time and money to play with your Handis

Pete

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #25 on:** February 27, 2009, 07:22:57 AM »

LMAO... I'll tell her that Pete.

Consequently, Can I stay at your place after I ask her that?

Ponydog · « **Reply #26 on:** February 27, 2009, 07:39:41 AM »

I'd think of a synthetic .243 handi........my son has one I bought him when he was 8 or 9.......little or no recoil.....inexpensive to reload,
and can take white-tail, hogs, and varmints.............light and flexible.......