New Handi-rifle Owner

[dross80]

Bought a handi-rifle in .223 at a gun show this weekend for $150, used.  It came with a Simmons 22 mag 3x9 32mm scope.  According to the serial number guide, it was made in 1997.

I shot it today for the first time.  I used cheap bulk reload ammo I purchased at the gun show.

After a few off-hand groups, I set up a quick bench setup off the back of my truck.  Shot two groups at 100 yards.  The three shot group measured 1 1/8, with two of the rounds within 1/4 inch.  The five shot group measured 1 1/4, with four of the five shots within 5/8.  I moved back to 200 yards, shot a three shot group that measured 2 7/8.  I used to be a pretty good shot, but I haven't shot a rifle in years except a .22 I have with iron sights (my eyes don't work with iron sights anymore) and a 9mm carbine.  I was shocked and obviously pleased with the rifle.

Is this normal accuracy from these rifles?

Also, to confirm the Help section info - any of the barrels not marked with an asterisk will work in my rifle?  Any of the shotgun barrels?

[dpe.ahoy]

Welcome, and I think you will find many of the 223's shoot quite well.  I have 4 of 'em and even the Superlight does good for 2 shots, the third is out less than an inch.  I might be able to get it tightened up, but haven't spent any time with it working up loads or pulling the forearm off to see how she will do with out it.  DP

[quickdtoo]

Welcome! Unfortunately, frames made '96-'99 can only be fitted with shotgun barrels, 357mag and 44mag or a replacement barrel of the same chambering as issued, see the build year list info in the FAQs, Remington change their policy on those recently due to being outsourced. 

Tim

[Spanky]

Welcome! Unfortunately, frames made '96-'99 can only be fitted with shotgun barrels, 357mag and 44mag or a replacement barrel of the same chambering as issued, see the build year list info in the FAQs, Remington change their policy on those recently due to being outsourced. 
Tim

There's always the classified's here if you want a barrel. If you don't want to buy second hand barrels send that frame in for the 357 or 44. Either one is great to have and VERY versatile. Matter of fact, you could send in for a shotgun barrel (I recommend 20ga.), the 357 or 44, and have your 223 and you would be covered for just about anything.



Spanky

[Jon in TN]

I just purchased that same gun with Leupold 4 x 12 last week for my son! I haven't been able to shoot mine yet, but you sure can't beat this site! Loads of info and I've already got the fever to expand mine.

Welcome

[Datil]

 Welcome to the wonderful world of handi's and to GBO forums!!!!
 Marv.

[dross80]

There's always the classified's here if you want a barrel. If you don't want to buy second hand barrels send that frame in for the 357 or 44. Either one is great to have and VERY versatile. Matter of fact, you could send in for a shotgun barrel (I recommend 20ga.), the 357 or 44, and have your 223 and you would be covered for just about anything.

Spanky

Will any barrel fit any rifle? Why does the manufacturer site imply that barrel not matched to the rifle is dangerous?  Just liability issues?

[togojeff]

Will any barrel fit any rifle? Why does the manufacturer site imply that barrel not matched to the rifle is dangerous?  Just liability issues?

Right from the FAQ's:
"Rifle barrels other than 357mag and 44 mag cannot be put a shotgun frame since the shotgun frame is not heat treated to handle the pressure. Since rifle frames are heat treated investment cast alloy, they are safe to use higher pressures, the lower pressure shotgun barrels don't present a hazard to the firearm and/or user as the inverse does. The larger firing pin and surrounding hole in the frame is also an issue."

[dross80]

Right from the FAQ's:
"Rifle barrels other than 357mag and 44 mag cannot be put a shotgun frame since the shotgun frame is not heat treated to handle the pressure. Since rifle frames are heat treated investment cast alloy, they are safe to use higher pressures, the lower pressure shotgun barrels don't present a hazard to the firearm and/or user as the inverse does. The larger firing pin and surrounding hole in the frame is also an issue."

I have a rifle frame I believe, it's marked SB2 if that means anything, in .223.  The FAQ says that the only barrels you can get for it are 357 and 44 mag, but another poster said I could still buy barrels in other calibers from the classifieds.  I'm just trying to get clear on the safety of buying, say a 308 barrel, when the manufacturer won't sell one for my rifle.  If the FAQ addresses this specifically, I apologize, I couldn't figure it out.

[spooked]

Whut it means; DON'T use any rifle barrels on shotgun frames except 357 or 44mag....doing so is entirely at your own peril..
They won't fit a certain rifle barrels but if the psi of caliber is same ya ought to be able to buy a barrel on the net and fir it yourself with help from the faq's here..

[quickdtoo]

Spook nailed it, the 1997 frame was originally offered in 308 Win,  just because H&R has a CYA policy about fitting high pressure barrels to them doesn't mean they're unsafe, or they'd recall all of them, it's just a lawyer thing, see the link at the bottom of the build year list on high pressure barrels on older frames.  The change to not fitting anything but shotgun and the two mags to them is recent, Gardner's policy was anything older than '99 couldn't be fitted with any high pressure barrel, Remington changed the policy recently.

Tim