I got a SERIOUS problem!

[lik2hunt]

Well actually I got two.............#1 - I have got the Handi Fever so bad that my wife and most of my friends are sick of hearing about all the plans and budgets and ...............well you know what I'm talking about. And #2 - My Ultra 25-06 is going to get back to H&R at the end of this week and I've already decided to send them a check for an extra barrel, but which one? .223 - do I really need it for varmint since I already have the 25-06 and can go as low as 90 gr. bullets factory load. 45-70 - is this a serious hunting caliber or just a plinker for a reloader and what about that PUNCH!? 30-06 - do I really need another deer caliber and when will I ever get to go for anything bigger? .270 - fast, flat, hard hitting round but then again same problem as with the 30-06. Low pressure calibers other than .223....nah. .280 - ain't got the $100. I'm actually flip-flopping between the .223 and the 30-06. So you see my delimna, anyone that can help or should I just give up and join Haywire's new GAA club?    

[rmtaylor]

I know we have talked a lot but I don't remember what you have now. Is the 25-06 the only rifle caliber that you have?

Richard

[handirifle]

like2hunt
Just get them all then decide which you like best :grin:

[offhand35]

:lol: Hmmmmmm.....! This does seem serious!
You will definately have fun with the 45-70.
That plus your 25-06, and you'll have the power for praire dog to moose!

[brown-trout]

get a 270...will do what a 30-06 will.
no elk, moose nor mule deer will go far when hit with o'connors favorite....

[Maine Woods]

Hi Like2hunt I currently only have one handy barrel a 223. This was an easy decsion I needed some low $ for Coyotes. Seems like most of the calibers shoot well out of these rifles but seems as though the 223 one of the " best bets" winchester bulk varmint 45 Gr. HP 50 per box $11.98 Wally World. In my book if you have a hand you HAVE to have a 223 barrel for it.  I know how you feel I am really into these rifles and back to shooting more because of them, and all the GREAT folks here at GBs.

[lik2hunt]

Currently the 25-06 is my only rifle caliber unless you count .22  :grin: I did consider .270 and really like that round just seemed to close to 25-06. I am leaning towards the .223 most and it is because of the reasons previously listed. I also feel that it would be the most efficient and accurate Handi barrel just from what all the guys who have them have posted. Oh yeah, if I could afford it right now don't think for a minute that I wouldn't order everything from .22 Hornet to 450 Marlin but can't do that right now, gotta start with one and add a new one at every extra 100 bucks till I have them all.
 :sniper:  :blaster:  :gun4:  :biggun:  :mrgreen:

[hellacatcher]

I had a 223 bull put on my 25-06 ultra good copanion for it I think. :biggun:

[Mac11700]

What a predicament you are in :wink:  :wink:  
 
Tuff choice to make...but maybe this will help.You already have a 25-06 and it shoots good,correct ???You know the trajectory of the round and how flat it shoots then why don't you go for something that can be more sedate and less fussy to load for??? As much as I love the 270,30-06 and the 223...I wouldn't make that my second choice unless you are planning to hunt something rather larger than deer and needed a dedicated varmint rifle...you ask a question if the 45-70 has enough punch and is it a serious cartridge or just a plinker. I can tell honestly that you can load the 45-70 up to take any critter that walks on  the face of the earth and do it just as well as any other cartridge made...Pretty bold statement wouldn't you say...but truthful never-the-less.As much as it irritates those that hunt DG with all of those super duper magnums...the ole-45-70 can drop them just as dead and has been doing it for over 120 years... As a plinker load...well you can have that too...very easily...cheap hard cast or Remington surplus bullets can fit the bill with aplomb.Want to make it a awsome relatively flat shooting deer cartridge...load up some Nosler 300 grain Partitions to the Marlin  levels and watch it  drop them out to about 250 yards...want a 200 + yard elk gun...try some Northfork 350 grainers and go at them...this truly is a wonderful cartridge to work with  whether you hand load for it or not.
 
My one and only other choice that I think is way under rated would be another favorite of mine in our little Handi's....this one has been around the block a few times it's self....the 30-30...this is a very pleasant one to shoot and can be a amazingly accurate round loaded with some good components...very easy on the shoulder and you still get a-lot in return for it.You can achieve some above average velocities with it with very little trouble...and it is suitable for animals up thru ...well I believe just about every critter that is on this continent has been harvested with it...
 
 
There you have it.....or maybe not...but anyway you choose you can always second guess yourself into believing that you should have got a different one instead...but in reality they are all good choices when you step back and  look at it as a fantastic  pastime....one you can get hours and hours of pleasure from just going over your choices... These would be my choices...and if I could swing it...I'd get them both and be as happy as a tick on a dogs belly in winter :-D  
 
Mac

[PAShooter]

In your situation I would either go with the .223 or the .45/70.
 
 If you are looking for a varmint round the .223 will fit the bill nicely. The .25_06 works excellent as a varmint rifle with lighter bullets, but costs more to shoot and the recoil/muzzle blast will be a lot more bothersome than the .223  if a lot of rounds are put down range.  
 
The .45/70 is just a lot of fun to shoot, and with proper loads and sights can be quite the long range shooter. A neat thing about the .45/70 is with lighter loads, you can here the bullet hit the paper when you shot at 100 yards. The .45/70 can be used on any North American game.
 
I wouldn't even consider the .270,  unless you plan on hunting larger game (elk, bear, etc) at long range, the .25_06 will do everything the .270 will do.

[Brett]

Well actually I got two.............#1 - I have got the Handi Fever so bad that my wife and most of my friends are sick of hearing about all the plans and budgets and ...............well you know what I'm talking about. And #2 - My Ultra 25-06 is going to get back to H&R at the end of this week and I've already decided to send them a check for an extra barrel, but which one? .223 - do I really need it for varmint since I already have the 25-06 and can go as low as 90 gr. bullets factory load. 45-70 - is this a serious hunting caliber or just a plinker for a reloader and what about that PUNCH!? 30-06 - do I really need another deer caliber and when will I ever get to go for anything bigger? .270 - fast, flat, hard hitting round but then again same problem as with the 30-06. Low pressure calibers other than .223....nah. .280 - ain't got the $100. I'm actually flip-flopping between the .223 and the 30-06. So you see my delimna, anyone that can help or should I just give up and join Haywire's new GAA club?    

Lik2hunt,  You didn't say if you reload or not.  No one has mentioned the 7mm - 08 yet,  or the new Ruger .204!  The first is another great big game round with lots of bullet options for the reloader and the second sounds like it should be a great varmint round.  

Here is one solution:  Right your favorites on slips of paper and place them in a hat, stir them up and draw one out (no peeking).  :-D  

Brett

[rmtaylor]

Now that I know what you have I can tell you what I did. My first was a 270, for deer hunting, I sent mine in for the 45-70 and the 223 bull also a Huntsman as you know. I now think I have the whole spectrum covered from ground hogs to bears!!!

I can not wait to see if crows will fly away after one of there buddies fall over when I shoot them from my Father in Laws porch at 250 yards with the 223 bull.

I will use the 45-70 to shoot for fun and will be my brush gun deer hunting.

The 270 will be my shooting house gun for deer and of course for fun:)

The Huntsman will extend deer season and open up some hunting areas that are primitive weapons only.

I guess my point is it really does not matter because you have the disease so sooner or later you will get them all anyway!!!

Richard

[Deadeye47]

45-70...and don't look back!!  :lol:  Be sure ot ask for the free trigger job on your paperwork when you send it in.......... :agree:  Course now is the time to order multiple barrels to be fitted when you send it in.....so what other barrel should you get?...hehehehe

[MSP Ret]

.223 or 45-70, tough decision but I don't know why, they are at opposite ends of the spectrum with one exception, they are both great calibers and lots of fun to shoot. Lets see. you have a 25-06, don't reload (yet), OK, I have decided, get the .223. I know, I know, the 45-70 is great, it was my first Handi and I love my 45-70 (my "Old Dog"), but you don't reload, have a gun for deer and such. The deciding factor, cheap ammo and lots of it. Save your brass, you will reload someday...(P.S. I have a bull barrel .223 and it is very accurate, fun to shoot,  a bit heavy to lug around the woods all day. but unless you expect to carry it all day long while walking it might be the way to go, of course most are getting great accuracy from the regular profile barrels also, another decision!!!Good Luck, my vote goes to the .223, bull or regular barrel your vote...<><.... :grin: OK guys help him on this last decision, which barrel for his new .223. bull or regular?? I am leaning towards the bull barrel if the gun is going to be anything other than a carry in the woods hunting gun, if it is to be a fun shooting and fun range gun, I say bull...(unless of course as the previous poster so smartly suggested you save up a bit, get both the 45-70 and the .223, and have your trigger adjusted while your at it...

[lik2hunt]

My Ultra is going to be at H&R at the end of this week as I have said it has only had 12 rounds thru it and opened on every shot so therefore why it is there. I feel confident that they will correct the problem and thus the opportunity to have another barrel added at the same time. I have asked for the free trigger job and no I don't reload. But as MSP put it (yet). I think everyone that gets into shooting centerfires and has several calibers eventually reloads, almost inevitable isn't it? I have pretty much decided on the .223 for now and to add a larger caliber later on. I even decided this before MSP's post . But, and I'm amazed at this, I was about to post the same question he refered to and that is whether to go with the bull or not. 22" standard, 24" bull, or 22" bull. I will use this as a dedicated varmint barrel but don't intend to walk a long way with it before setting up. I also am looking forward to range shooting as I really enjoy that a lot. I just wonder if the results between the standard barrel and the bull barrel would warrant having the bull? Ok more help now.  
 

[MSP Ret]

OK Lik2hunt you have my vote, bull barrel for what your stated use is. Neither barrel is more inherently accurate than the other but the bull will resist "bending" better as it heats up and the weight will help in bench and varmit shooting. Also I would save the $20.00 and go with the 22" barrel, in most .223's all the powder is burnt up in the first 22", the barrel is shorter so easier to set up in the woods when varmit hunting, but mostly just because, as many could say the same for the 24" barrel. I recall somewhere on the net, don't recall where, accuracy test with .223  barrel lengths, the best accuracy was from the 20" tube if I remember correctly, and velocity did not suffer much from that length, but whats better, accuracy or velocity, and what target or varmit can tell the difference of 30-50 fps anyway??? OK, Bull in 22" my vote, but make your decision on what you want, thats the only way you will be truly happy with it....<><.... :grin:

[WNY_Whitetailer]

223 Ultra Varmint Barrel...

[MSP Ret]

Lik2hunt and others interested in .223 info, try this link, www.accuratereloading.com/223sb.html for some good info relating to velocity and group size with different length barrels and different powders....<><.... :grin: sorry I cannot post that name (ar) if anyone is interested PM or e-mail me and I will send the site, but you may be able to figure it out...

[Cottonwood]

45-70

[Ditchdigger]

Liktohunt; Come over this wkend, shoot my 223,280, and 45 70 and see which one you like the best. I've probably got 15 or 20 sets of dies and around that many different powders. So there you are,walk across the woods( hunting on the way) and check the things out.  Digger

[lik2hunt]

Hey Digger that sounds like a deal. I'll probably see ya on Saturday about mid afternoon. Listen for the BOOM and start lookin for me.  

[ogo]

lik2hunt,go with the 45/70 but get it in the Buffalo Classic I almost bought the handi 45/70 but my friend talked me into a BC,sure glad he did,what a fun gun*******ogo