Author Topic: Happy New Member (Read 1706 times)

Clambo · « **on:** February 12, 2014, 09:07:30 AM »

Greetings Handi Shooters,

Im a long time lurker here. I read everything new concerning Handi's everyday. Heres why. Im a lifelong shooter, hunter, reloader, etc but Ive been living on V.A disability for the last few years. That has left my wife and I very, very broke. Theres has been no money whatsoever for leisure, hehe, other than reading about other peoples leisure. I have been wanting to get back into shooting and figured that Handis would be an affordable way to accomplish my goals as I am largely rebuilding my gun collection from ground zero. It also helps a little that I genuinely like Handi Rifles, its not purely a financial decision. I have never owned one but I did have an old Topper .30-30 w/ 20 ga barrel that I shot for years. So I do have a little experience to draw from. I made my own peep sight for the Topper and it shot around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2" with most anything I fed it.

The money situation is sloooowly improving for us, Lord its been tough.....but we came out ahead a little this month and after spending some much deserved money on my wife.....now its my turn. Picking up an SB2 receiver this afternoon....man Im happy. Cant wait to play ball again as opposed to watching from the sidelines.

Things to come: .30-30 AI, .30-40 Krag, .357 Max., and something .45-70 or 90 or 110 or more. ( Yes I know most logical people stop at .45-70 but I may go black powder for this one. ) I also want to build at least one Mannlicher style as I always had an eye for those and I know they used to build a Mannlicher Topper.

Of course this will all take some time but it really feels good to write something here as opposed to read.

Later Guys,

Clambo

Ranger99 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2014, 09:57:41 AM »

welcome

mechanic · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:13:44 AM »

Jump on in, the water's fine!
Ben

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:27:32 AM »

Well If you have been lurking, You already know that there is room around this fire for everyone. Glad you decided to join in a little more, Welcome.

One thought I have for ya, I understand your situation, I have a situation very much your and have too watch my dollars.

I would start with the .357.......It is very hard to beat a rifle that will shoot so many different type cartridges and so many shots per dollar than a .38/.357 barrel.

Also reloading for it is the cheapest prolly you can do, Get a dipper a mold and an old iron pot and you can make your own bullets cheap. A 158grain SWC Lee mold and some Lee Alox tumble lube will cover most of your shooting needs. You can be very happy with just that, but it also gives you a lot of room to grow as the dollars permit.

Once again Welcome, Speak up and be heard, We like that around here.

PS the sarcasm is free of charge.

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:28:36 AM »

Welcome Clambo. As Bob said, do the Maxi first. You'll like it. It's versatile as well as easy and inexpensive to load for.

Pete

twoshooter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:55:20 AM »

Pull up a chair... put your feet up.......set a spell

45-70.gov · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2014, 11:09:50 AM »

Quote from: petemi on February 12, 2014, 10:28:36 AM

Welcome Clambo. As Bob said, do the Maxi first. You'll like it. It's versatile as well as easy and inexpensive to load for.

Pete

+ 357 mag.......[max asap]....max ammo when you can

i shoot 38spl the most

tacklebury · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2014, 11:12:28 AM »

Welcome aboard. If it were me I'd be doing a .45-70 first, but I'm a big bore lover. If opportunity happens to knock on a good priced .30-30 barrel, you can have jeepman ream it for you to 30-40 Krag for a $50 dollar donation. I had mine done and the .30-40 really opens up a few new doors over the .30-30 if you reload. If you are doing factory ammo, then stay with .30-30 as it's MUCH more readily available. The .357 Maxi is a very versatile round also though and bullets are cheaper for it. If you get ahold of a .357 barrel, reaming is a cinch and allows the use of .38 S&W (with a .357 bullet loaded - I do without issues for shorts), .38 special, .357 manum, .360 Wesson or .357 Maximum. You can also cross some line loads with the smaller guys and the right powder. Anyway, whichever way you choose, have fun.

Ol BW · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2014, 12:37:37 PM »

Glad to meet you. Welcome to your new virtual home away from home on the net!:D

BW

revbc · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2014, 12:54:58 PM »

Welcome Clambo.....................................does that receiver come with stocks? May have a set of synthetics I can send you for the postage.

glockmeister · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2014, 01:37:17 PM »

Clambo, welcome to the Handiholics unanimous group. We are more than ready to help where ever needed, sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you want, so keep on trucking. Take care, John.

Clambo · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:08:14 PM »

Several of you suggested the .357 Max. first. Thats a great idea. Under normal conditions Id opt for it but right now I dont own a single centerfire and I hunt elk. I live smack in the middle of good Roosevelt Elk country. I havent hunted in a few years but looking forward to next season. I think Im gonna begin with the .30-40. Loaded with a 180 or 200 gr. round nose or cast is dandy elk medicine. Shots here are usually short. Longest one I ever made was 140 yds. or so. Most are considerably less.

Clambo

petemi · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:13:54 PM »

PM Uncle George, jeepmann1948. He'll get you fixed up with your .30-40

Pete

tacklebury · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2014, 04:31:54 PM »

Quote from: Clambo on February 12, 2014, 02:08:14 PM

Several of you suggested the .357 Max. first. Thats a great idea. Under normal conditions Id opt for it but right now I dont own a single centerfire and I hunt elk. I live smack in the middle of good Roosevelt Elk country. I havent hunted in a few years but looking forward to next season. I think Im gonna begin with the .30-40. Loaded with a 180 or 200 gr. round nose or cast is dandy elk medicine. Shots here are usually short. Longest one I ever made was 140 yds. or so. Most are considerably less.

Clambo

.30-40 should be good medicine as would the .45-70 at those ranges. Keep in mind, you'll need to locate a .30-30 barrel, (modern if you want full house loads), and ream it or have it reamed, which takes some time. Depending on when your season starts, just something to remember. Getting a load developed also can take a bit of time also. Jeepman48 is doing .30-40 reams for a $50 donation and shipping. Here is a recent post with some loads in the old school barrel at top and high power below:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/shot-my-30-40-today/msg1099730193/#msg1099730193

rebel0994 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2014, 04:54:31 PM »

Welcome Clambo!

You are on the right track, you can get alot of bang for the buck with Handi's,and you can't find a better bunch of guys to help you with them than here!

+1 on the .357 it would be a great one to start with. and later ream it to a maxi, then get another and make a shorty.

Welcome again, Roy

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2014, 05:22:18 PM »

The .357 max with a 180 gr LHC WFNGC will punch right thru an Elk inside of 150 yards and might do it at 200. 21.5 grains of IMR4227 will push a 180 grain lead bullet to 2000fps, That is no joke on whatever it hits. You can push jacketed bullets even faster, I'd say the 180gr Hornady SSP will take an Elk at 200 with out any problems. And you can still shoot .38 shorts out of it. Read a little of this........
.357 Maximum

revbc · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2014, 05:48:16 PM »

Badnews is correct. My maxi with 190gr Ranch Dogs is devastating. Never shot an elk though, bought the toughest we got are them pesky hogs. The RD's will put'em down.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2014, 07:29:34 AM »

Welcome Clambo, are you by any chance related to that Rambo fella? Be prepared to catch the Handi-virus!

Clambo · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2014, 09:44:27 AM »

I wont catch the Handi Virus, Ive had it for years. Just havent had any $$$ lately. Ive always been partial to guns that are a little off the wall, old, or different. I loathe " tactical " guns ( although I support the right to own them ). For many years I had a decent size arsenal and with one exception none were made after 1975. Most were considerably older. I like an accurate rifle, wont tolerate a bad one, but Ive never had one I couldnt make shoot. I have been blessed by being raised around guns my entire life. My dad taught me volumes about reloading, wildcatting, bullet casting, and gunsmithing. I dont shoot formal competition anymore but I used to. Nowdays I just shoot for fun and hunt blacktails, elk, grouse, and chuckar. A rifle that will hold 2 MOA is fine for me I dont shoot more than 300 yds ever and my farthest hunting shot ever was only 140 yds. Dont need a sub inch rifle for that. Dont need the magnum of the week either.

Due to orthopedic issues a light rifle such as a Handi will be nice too. Theres just so many ways a guy can go with a Handi. Spent the night trying to decide between the Maximum or the Krag. Both are right for so many reasons. Right now Im trying to talk myself into shooting Roosevelt Elk with a. 357 Max. One part of me says no way, another part says its close to. 35 Rem performance and I WOULD shoot an elk with one of those.

Later Guys,

Clambo

mod37nut · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2014, 09:55:08 AM »

welcome

petemi · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2014, 10:07:41 AM »

My .357 Maxis can easily EXCEED .35 Remington factory ammo. It's all in how you load em. If you're confident with the .35 Remington, the Maxi won't let you down. I have seen the havoc it can wreck on a critter and I seriously believe there ain't much in North America that will shrug it off and walk away.

Pete

rdlange · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2014, 12:15:57 AM »

So what happened to the old Topper? Some folks think that was the best combo they ever made.

Enjoy.