Author Topic: Want to buy my first Handi, any changes coming soon? (Read 1363 times)

LSU fan · « **on:** April 16, 2009, 05:27:40 AM »

Want to pick up a .444 to use during our primitive weapon season. Seems like I read a post a while back that some changes were coming up soon. Maybe a lower hammer? Just wondering if I should wait a few months or pull the trigger now? TIA

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2009, 05:35:06 AM »

Welcome, nothing new any time soon, it's all still in the testing stage, the 35 Whelen will debut again likely before this year's seasons start, hopefully if all goes well.

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2009, 05:37:25 AM »

I believe the .45-70 is legal in your state too. I'd go for that myself. They're super accurate and ammo is easier to find. JMHO.

Pete

LSU fan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2009, 06:09:00 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on April 16, 2009, 05:35:06 AM

Welcome, nothing new any time soon, it's all still in the testing stage, the 35 Whelen will debut again likely before this year's seasons start, hopefully if all goes well.

Tim

Wish I was in Mississippi, 35 Whelen would be legal there. Make for a pretty impressive primitive arm.

Glad to hear there's no changes coming up, I'll go ahead and work on finding one. Which online dealers usually have the cheapest prices? Did a quick search and saw R&R, Buds, and The Gun Source. Anyone else I should check?

LSU fan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2009, 06:10:48 AM »

Quote from: petemi on April 16, 2009, 05:37:25 AM

I believe the .45-70 is legal in your state too. I'd go for that myself. They're super accurate and ammo is easier to find. JMHO.

Pete

Yeah, thought hard about that. Everyone and their brother at my camp is buying 45-70s so I'd kind of like something different. I'm weird like that. LOL

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2009, 06:21:07 AM »

Y'all can't be that weird...ya got yer head lookin in the right direction. Think twice bout the .45-70.......Tim and lots more of us aint wrong. It's real versatile...little collar buttons to just barely sub-magnum loads. Beer cans to bears. I would part with mine only if I was dead.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2009, 06:40:05 AM »

Pete makes a good point, if'n I was in LA, I'd be huntin with my SS 45-70 Ultra.

Tim

Sourdough · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:03:15 AM »

One thing to think about. What if you get to camp and lost your shells. Here you sit with a gun that is different then what everyone else has now you can not use your gun. If you too have a 45-70, just borrow a couple of shells from someone that shoots the same ones you shoot.

Being different is sometimes a good thing, but sometimes it is not a good thing. You decide.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:13:40 AM »

Question about:
Pete makes a good point, if'n I was in LA, I'd be huntin with my SS 45-70 Ultra. Wink (quote from Quick
Are you refering to hunting in Los Angeles or Louisanna?

LSU fan · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:29:06 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough on April 16, 2009, 07:03:15 AM

One thing to think about. What if you get to camp and lost your shells. Here you sit with a gun that is different then what everyone else has now you can not use your gun. If you too have a 45-70, just borrow a couple of shells from someone that shoots the same ones you shoot.

Being different is sometimes a good thing, but sometimes it is not a good thing. You decide.

I hear what your saying but its not like we're a 6 hour horse ride up in the mountains. From my house to the camp is about a 45 minute drive.

As far as the .444 vs the 45-70: When comparing factory loads (Hornady Leverevolution) it looks like the .444 is faster and flatter, plus less recoil because of the lighter bullet. Its been a few months since I looked up the specs so I could be wrong on that. So if you take handloading out of the picture is there really any advantage to the 45-70? Ammo availability doesn't worry me. Once I get it sighted in and check the trajectory, I doubt I'll shoot more than a box a year or so. If I can't find them at Cabelas in town I can always mail order. Let me know your thoughts, maybe theres something I'm not thinking about. Always fun to argue about guns.

LSU fan · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:29:45 AM »

Quote from: jeepmann1 on April 16, 2009, 07:13:40 AM

Question about:
Pete makes a good point, if'n I was in LA, I'd be huntin with my SS 45-70 Ultra. Wink (quote from Quick
Are you refering to hunting in Los Angeles or Louisanna?

Louisiana

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:34:11 AM »

Depending on what ya mean by "a while back" H&R released a brand new last yr 444 Ultra 24" bbl all SS including the frame the other was the 45/70 all SS that Tim is refering too. I dout they will be making any more changes to that 444 anytime soon so If ya want 444 that's the one I'd track down. Kurt

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:43:05 AM »

If you're limited to shooting factory ammo, the 444 FTX has the advantage. I wouldn't seriously be concerned about loosing your ammo, I've never lost any in 50yrs of hunting and don't know anyone who has lost ALL of their ammo, my uncle lost a magazine out of his Rem auto once, but he had a spare, fortunately he only needed one shot for the elk he knocked down just before he discovered it when he tried to give it the coup de grâce!! $:-\$

You'll get a little more out of the 444 with the 24" Ultra SS with its 24" barrel, Leverevolution ammo ballistics are based on the 1895 XLR which has a 24" barrel. The SS 444 isn't new tho, it's been out about a year, it's just not on the H&R website for who knows why.

http://www.thegunsource.com/item/83917__HR_Rifles_Shotguns_H_R_SB2-T44_ULTRA_HUNTER_.aspx?SR=1

LA is the abbreviation for Louisiana(pertains to the topic of this thread too), I seriously doubt there's any legal hunting in Los Angeles, let alone a primitive season!!

Tim

http://www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/abbr_state.txt

http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/state-abbrev.html

petemi · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2009, 09:40:30 AM »

Tim, the season in L.A. California is extremely primitive

and, it runs all year. An old timer, friend of mine was a gold and diamond mine security supervisor in South America and later with the CIA in L.A. He told me he'd much rather be up against a dozen idiots with machine pistols and submachine guns than one marksman with a single shot rifle. The man said a mouthful. The .45-70 Handi might be the perfect carry weapon for downtown L.A.......primitive season or not

I think it may just work in Louisiana too.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2009, 10:16:21 AM »

spooked · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2009, 05:12:31 PM »

Went hunting once in La....

Lower Arkansas,...;-)

uncledub · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2009, 05:57:01 AM »

LA - sometimes refers to lower Alabama by the locals.

I like the 45-70. Good rifle, I have a BC and a Handi.

paul63 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2009, 06:21:14 AM »

I'm in LA also, but across the state on the Texas line (still a LSU fan). Ever since LA allowed Handis to be used during the Primative Season the 45-70's & ammo are hard to find here, but 444's can still found. Even the WM here had 6 boxes of 444 last Sunday. I get my ammo from a mom & pop place & they have 444 FTX for $26.00 box. He told me that he doesn't have a problem getting ammo or Handis except 45-70's. He can only get 1 or 2 at a time & has a waiting list. I really enjoy my 444 & once I got used to it, I can shout 2" or less groups all day. It's a personal preferrence, I hunt with guys that shoot 45-70's & we all agree it not so much what you shoot, as it is how you shoot!

Redfish1 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2009, 04:12:57 PM »

I also live in Louisiana, the 444 is more than enough rifle to kill any deer
in this state. I like it so much I just bought another for my son's 15th birthday.
When he shot it the first time all he could do was grin real big and say " cool".
I shot a 200 pound eight point at 120 yards with mine and he went 50 yards.
The blood trail was easy to follow and hit where I held. My buddies with the
45/70's wish they had bought one of these. One other thing, if your too dumb
to keep up with your ammo try one of the ammo holders that fit on the stock
of your gun, I have one on each of my rifles.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2009, 05:20:08 PM »

I too enjoy taking a different path from time to time, and that is why I got my 444 before I got the 45-70. And to be honest, (aren't we all perfectly honest

), I shoot my triple 4 more than the 45-70 by a long shot.

(Pardon the pun), but it's true and I also have another 444 in the Marlin and sold my 45-70 Marlin!

Pete, pick yer self up man, I'm sorry

, hope ya still like me.

DP

torpedoman · « **Reply #20 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:24:19 PM »

did some research and found out that cerberus capitol managment really owns remington, was looking to buy stock in the company. This is the company that owns crysler so i'm not looking for any improvement in anything they make in the near future. I also had second thoughts about their stock.

northkid · « **Reply #21 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:38:46 PM »

Quote from: torpedoman on April 18, 2009, 04:24:19 PM

did some research and found out that cerberus capitol managment really owns remington, was looking to buy stock in the company. This is the company that owns crysler so i'm not looking for any improvement in anything they make in the near future. I also had second thoughts about their stock.

they also own DPMS firearms, Bushmaster, Marlin.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:47:11 PM »

Quote from: torpedoman on April 18, 2009, 04:24:19 PM

did some research and found out that cerberus capitol managment really owns remington...

Old news, no surprise there, but there is some encouragement.

Tim

Quote from: quickdtoo on January 04, 2008, 05:31:40 PM

Encouraging detail about the CEO of Cerberus, Stephen Feinberg.

Tim

" Feinberg has traded his tennis rackets for rifles. His new hobby is big-game hunting. On family trips to Colorado, he leaves before dawn, comes back midday, and takes his daughters on a hike. A few trophies have been sent to the taxidermist’s for mounting. “My guy friends are always, like, sketched out,” Lindsey says. “ ‘I don’t want to be with you. Your dad is going to shoot me.’ I’m like, ‘No, he’s not like that. He’s really chill. He’s a really laid-back guy.’ ” "

http://www.portfolio.com/executives/features/2007/08/13/Stephen-Feinberg-Cerberus

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,133604.msg1098505700.html#msg1098505700

maglvr44 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2009, 06:04:58 PM »

Quote from: LSU fan on April 16, 2009, 05:27:40 AM

Want to pick up a .444 to use during our primitive weapon season. Seems like I read a post a while back that some changes were coming up soon. Maybe a lower hammer? Just wondering if I should wait a few months or pull the trigger now? TIA

Judging from past history, i'd have to say, buy NOW before the next "improvement" comes along

straydog · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2009, 10:03:55 AM »

LSUFan,

Be different and put camo tape on your gun or something different.
But do not get the 444 when you can get the 45-70
that 45-70 you can shoot gophers to elephants
Lookup what the 45-70 with belt mountain punch bullets will do.
Shoot a cape buff in the skull and it will come out his a**

Do not get the 444 over a 45-70,if you do your nuts!

McLernon · « **Reply #25 on:** April 19, 2009, 07:03:21 PM »

Then of course we should all remember the rule: 'Everybody needs at least two 45-70's........maybe it's just a guidline

Mc

LSU fan · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2009, 03:08:34 AM »

Well, guess I'm nuts.

On Friday I called my uncle who manages a local pawn shop and as luck would have it he had two NIB wood stocked 444s in the store. One looked like crap (stains on the stock, mismatched recoil pad that looked like it had been fitted with a wood rasp, etc) but the other looked perfect. Brought it home with me. Having one gun to handle everything has no appeal to me, I'm all about the perfect tool for the job. And I think this .444 will be the perfect budget, primitive weapons season deer rifle.

The rifle will probably sit for a while as I'm up to my neck in projects at my house and at my parents camp on the river. Not to mention that around this time of year I'm more interested in burning gas in the boat than shooting. Sacreligious I know...

Plans for the Handi are to first find a local gunsmith to do a trigger job on it. I've read the how to's and think its a little more than I want to tackle. Once that gets taken care of I have an older Leupold Vari-X II 3x9x40 that will be probably be going in Burris Signature Zee rings. Once thats taken care of I'll get it sighted in and confirm trajectory out to 200 yards. November is going to be fun this year and it'll be nice not worrying about powder, pellets, caps, and other muzzleloader pains.

Quote from: straydog on April 19, 2009, 10:03:55 AM

LSUFan,

Be different and put camo tape on your gun or something different.
But do not get the 444 when you can get the 45-70
that 45-70 you can shoot gophers to elephants
Lookup what the 45-70 with belt mountain punch bullets will do.
Shoot a cape buff in the skull and it will come out his a**

Do not get the 444 over a 45-70,if you do your nuts!

straydog · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2009, 01:41:33 PM »

LSUfan,
Now that you already have it,I wont bust on you any more.
The 444 will tackle anything on this continent easy enough.
I am sure you will love it.
Best of luck!!

ol bumpy · « **Reply #28 on:** April 22, 2009, 03:27:56 PM »

I bought a 444 Handi for this past "primitive weapons" season here in MS.... Wound up falling in love with it. It's a pleasure to shoot and hunt with.

It didn't group worth a crap with the Leverevolution ammo though. 8"-10" groups at 100 yards, off a bench....But it drops bombs with the Remington 240 gr. soft points. They shoot cloverleafs at 100 yards.

xhare · « **Reply #29 on:** April 22, 2009, 03:59:39 PM »

I was at Whittaker guns a week or so ago. They had 2 SS Ultra 45-70's and 1 SS Ultra in 444 Marlin. Each for around $365. I believe you can order from them by giving them a call.

www.whittakerguns.com