Author Topic: Handi Rifle Accuracy (Read 1172 times)

traditionalhunter · « **on:** March 10, 2005, 06:47:46 AM »

All,
New to this forum. I am looking at a few different rifles for predator hunting. I like the new savage 12FV with the accu trigger, but funds are limited. I have heard that the handi rifles are accurate. Can someone tell me what accuracy to expect with a 22-250 (Factory gun with no custom mods). If the guns are as accurate as people are saying, you cannot beat them for the price. Thanks in advance for the input.

TH

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2005, 06:55:43 AM »

Welcome aboard!

Can't tell you much about the 22-250, it's a new again caliber from H&R and there aren't a lot of them around and reported on much. Those that I've seen reports on have shown moa or slightly better accuracy. I have a .223 and a .204 Ruger, accuracy from both is great, 1/2moa for the .223 with the win white box ammo and 3/4 moa to moa with the .204 ruger with Hornady and Rem factory ammo.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2005, 07:03:10 AM »

Welcome Traditionalhunter...

You'll be hard pressed to beat the accuracy some of the guys are getting with the 223 bull barrels...and it makes a real nice varmint/predator round...if your wanting something a-little bigger...and with a little more uumph than the 223...take a look at the 25-06 Ultras...there are several of us that have some real shooters here...1/2" to 1"" groups with factory and hand loads as well...and it makes a great long distance huntingl gun for much larger game too... :agree:

Mac

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2005, 10:17:57 AM »

Going back to the "old" forum, I don't remember ANY calibers being "dogs" in the accuracy dept., do any of you?

Jim

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2005, 11:02:27 AM »

Uh....most any of em with the wrong load won't shoot great....For most of em, the lighter for caliber bullets seem to be the better choice, but that can be said about any rifle and there are some Handis that seem to shoot everything well, the 45-70 for one.... :wink:

mt3030 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2005, 03:33:24 PM »

On the old forum, I seem to remember problems with the 22 Hornets.
mt

Hildy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2005, 04:17:04 PM »

Most seem accurate with the right load. My 25-06 Ultra will print under 1" with both factory and reloads. My 223 will shoot 9/16" to 5/8" at 100y with WW Varmint 45JHP. Im not complainin' and for the price, you can't beat that.

Donaldo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2005, 06:00:03 PM »

traditionalhunter
What you have with the NEF handi rifle is a very low cost rifle. And as such you can expect that some will shoot good and some will not, pretty much the same with any rifle. I personally think you have to have a bit of "going against the grain" in your personality to like the handi rifle. I love them. If you want to follow the herd, get a Remchesteruger. If you want to walk the narrow path, get a handi rifle. It will test your patience, it will reward you, it will make you happy, it will frustrate you, but above all you will finally be having fun trying to solve the minute problems associated with the handi's. They are truly lovable rifles. Most here have several, some even an obscene number and a number of different barrels. They are the elite, known as handiholics. I only have one. I find that it keeps me guessing and figuring on problems when I should be in bed. But I love it all the same. As I speak, it is undergoing another transfiguration. Most shoot acceptably, i.e., 1.5 inch and under. What is fun is to try to make it shoot under 1/2 inch. So, if you are brave of heart and want to join an elite group.....Plunk down your $200 or so and join the crowd. We are having a ball. If you get a 22-250 it will have the 1/12 twist barrel, I think, and will like bullets under 63 grains in weight. I have the ultra varminter in 223 and it has the same appetite. I have been shooting since about 1964 or so, just got my handi in 2004. Can't remember ever having so much fun shooting and loading for a rifle especially one that is a cheap break open single shot rifle. Welcome aboard.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2005, 06:39:40 PM »

Quote

They are the elite , known as handiholics.

I've been called lots of things before....but never that :lol: :lol: :lol:

Mac

traditionalhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2005, 01:29:03 AM »

Thanks for all the good replies. I was one of the masses who thought that price = good shooting . It most cases price probably does reflect the accuracy of the weapon, but I had one (won't mention any names R****) that couldn't shoot its way out of a paper bag. This was a $600 + gun and was supposed to be their better long range gun. I don't reload...Yet (going to start this year). Finally I got disgusted with the R**** and traded it. I am now to the place where I want a good gun (does not have to shoot submin. groups) that I can carry into the field and shoot coyote, fox, and groundhogs without worrying about scratching the $600+ guns stock. No need to have a gun if you are afraid of getting it dirty or scratched. That is why I am leaning towards the handi. It is a smaller compact gun that would be much easier to manipulate when a coyote comes charging in. I heard that they are very accurate for the price and I also like the simplicity of the single shot. Thanks for the replies!! You are probably talking to one of the new Handi converts!! :-)

James B · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2005, 04:17:19 AM »

Welcome aboard. It would be hard to add much to what the others have said. I quess I am sure in the crowd with a HERD of Handi Rifles. :grin: The first one I ever had was a 30-30 from about 25 years ago. It would not shoot better than three inch groups and the action was loose and had a lot of WOBBLE in it. I still loved the darn thing and soon bought a 30-06 with the Laminated stock and Medalion. That one shot pretty good and even on a bad day would shoot 2 inches or less. However it was pretty light and kicked like a Mule. The next was a 243 Ultra. WOW what a shooter that one was. 3/4 inch groups all day every day with 80 grain bullets. Now I have nine of the little rifles and as said by others, with the right and most often LIGHT bullets, they give up very little to the spendy rifles. With factory loads or hand loads that do not exceed the factory levels they will shoot well for a long time. I don't think however that they are meant to be HOT RODDED. I load them to about 80 percent capacity and get along just fine.

greenjeans · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2005, 01:37:44 PM »

Can't go wrong for the $. Didn't take my bolt action .270 out of the safe this hunting season. The two deer I took with the synthetic Handi 30-06 didn't know the difference. Got my first one 1-1/2 years ago and now have 4. Two centerfire, two rimfire. They are habit forming. :grin: :grin: