Lots and lots of satisfied 223 Handi owners around here. If the Search feature was up you could see the hord of topics about it...it should be up and running soon.
Any way it's a great caliber for a Handi, and are usually among the most accurate of NEF/H&R offerings. Mine shoot under an inch and do it consistantly. With the best barrel around 1/2" consistantly, sometimes it will behave and treat me better, it's just a joy to shoot. Though it took it a little while to get there, as the bore was a little rough. Nothing a good polish could have done, but I chose to shoot it smooth
It keeps shooting better and better.
And welcome to GBO, stay and enjoy the site. A lot of info, and some good decent people.
You might even be able to shrink the groups of that Hornet as well, after you get to reading
-Aaron