NEF Are they any good?

[TxRiverman]

Im seriously considering getting a NEF in .35 Whelen and am wondering are they worth getting? I've some post on here about all the problems(stuck cases,poor accuracy,ect...). My next question is are they fairly accurate out of the box or do they require alot of tinkering?

[Datil]

 Hello Tex riverman, Welcome to the wonderful world  and home of Handi=holics.
 Sme have problems with some of the handi's. Others are supper accurate.
 I do not know any thing about 35 Whelen. Never even seen one.
 Good luck Marv.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome to GBO! Take a look a few pages back, there are several .35 Whelen posts, all from happy owners, most Handis shoot good with little or no changes, just depends on what you consider accurate, they aren't bench rifles, they're hunting rifles. Mine shoots exceptionally well with 250gr Speer spitzers.

Tim

[myarmor]

If it's out of the box accuracy and less tinkering time you are looking for, then I suggest you get a wood stocked Handi or a Laminated Ultra...though I believe the regular wood Stock is the only one availible in the 35Whelen unless you send off for an extra barrel.
The wood stocked Handis seem to be more accurate straight out of the box than the Synthetics, but not all the time.  I have used both with sucess.
I guess sometimes we get so involved in trying new ways to keep our Handis shooting, and trying new things we sometimes forget that it might scare off anyone thinking they don't have a chance of getting a shooter right out of the box.
Welcome to Graybeards by the way. Enjoy the site.
-Aaron

[stimpylu32]

TxRiverman

I have only had 1 H&R or NEF that i was not happy with right out of the box and that is my 450 Marlin , all the others will shoot better than i can on most days .

Everyone from my 22 mag to my 270 will shoot under 1" in @ 100 yards and my 45/70 will shoot under 3" in @ 100 . my best is my 223 which will shoot below 3/4" all day long and on a good day will shoot 1/2" @ 100

[trotterlg]

If it's out of the box accuracy you need then buy a Savage or a Stevens, if you want a Handi then plan on working on it some to get it to shoot, you may get one that works fine out of the box.  If not then a little work and range time will most likely get it fixed.  If you have more time than money then buy a handi, if you are planning to shoot a deer next week buy a Savage.  Larry

[coldmold]

I presently have 5 handis with 4 extra barrels. Plus one on the way soon. The only one I have had any problems with is a 44 mag. And since I am retired I will get that one  shooting good. The good folks here on grey beard will give you sound advice.

[quickdtoo]

I've got 22 complete NEF/H&Rs, plus 5 extra rifle barrels, all of em shoot moa or real close to it with the exception of 2 that I haven't shot yet, a .25-06 Ultra that I just bought last week and a 7mm-08 barrel that I just fitted to a frame. The only thing I've done to any of the out of the box complete rifles that I've bought was try an O-ring on the forend to see if it helped or hindered accuracy or experiment with forend pressure, but that's typical for any break barrel. Once they've been cleaned well and  broke in, they all shoot well with the right ammo. Many I handload only for them, but several shoot very well, 1"-1½" or better with factory ammo. I've also had several rechambered and/or rebored to calibers not available from H&R, .35 Remington, .338-06 A-Square, .405 Winchester, .45-120 and recently sent a .280Rem to my gunsmith for rechambering to .280Rem AII.

Tim

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/quickdtoo/Handirifle/AllOfThem.jpg

[SHOOTER 72]

welcome , the 35 whelen that i owne shoots great with no problems . it needed no tinkering out of the box only cleaning . i scoped it and went to the range . It shoots around 1.5 inches with remington 200 grain factory loads . i never had any stuck case problems with mine and with the accuracy that i am getting with the factory loads i wont be handloading !
 

[Lives2hunt]

Wished you lived closer so you could shoot mine and see what you think. I love them because they are so simple, safe, dependable, lightweight, easy to carry and fun to shoot. It also cleans up pretty easy too. You can make them more accurate with some tinkering but most will shoot fine right out of the box if you do your part.  My only regret is not getting one sooner.

[Mac11700]

The Handi in 35 Whelen is a good choice...and I think you'll enjoy it a-lot.I also think you'll enjoy most anyother caliber that's available as well....

Mac

[dw06]

I've never owned one in larger chamberings,so can't speak about the accuracy of them.I like the 22 hornet and 223 as they shoot very well with handloads,and the best part they are very durable,and for me make an excellant woods rifle.I grab my everyday when going for a walk.Easy to carry and balanced.Give one a try and you will be hooked.

[poncaguy]

I have a new 35 Whelen Handi, accurate, and recoil is not bad at all.......highly recommended. I have 15 or so complete Handi's........but I'm very old and don't know any better.........

[E Rex B]

I have only one Handi, a heavy barrel 223 NEF.  Yes it is fun to shoot and fun to tinker with up to a point.  If I had it to do over again, would I?  I think not.  I can work with it this afternoon and have it shooting great but tomorrow afternoon I may have to start all over again.  I'm retired so that doesn't bother me so much but it would be nice to know that it would shoot the same everyday for a month.
Rex