Clarke is a freak. Only an idiot would do the things to guns he has claimed to do over the last few years all over the net. He has actually advodated the use of proof loads in an arm on regular basis (I think this was in a .380 if I remember) Quoting Clarke is bad business if not down right dangerous. Quickload is a load generation program that can only estimate given pressures. For all we know that 87,000 was 100,000 or it could have been 50,000. Who knows for sure.
The Handi is quoted by the manufacturer to be capable of level 2, or lever action loads. We have no question of this because the manufacturer chambered the rifle in 450 Marlin which operates at pressures equal to those of Ruger #1 / Browning High Wall data. There are more than a few trapdoor loads that will drive 400 grain bullets to 1700 fps, and if you've touched one of these off in your NEF your teeth rattled. With care, I am sure any competent reloader could push 300 grain bullets in excess of 2100 fps from a Handi and be well within pressure limits for the gun. But the data Clarke has posted is completely unsubstanciated, irresponsible and downright dangerous. I have no doubt he has done what he claims. However, what proof does anyone have that he is not simply a prankster? Photos of flattened primers and seperated cases can be reproduced in several different ways, none requiring pressures exceeding 40,000. What is to say he even conducted his tests in a Handi?
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Not taking you to task Quickdtoo, just want people who may not know, this crap has been floated on the net for the last several years, no reputable board has left it unchallanged and Clarke, while he still surfaces from time to time here there and yonder has earned himself the rank of idiot fool from the vast majority of reloading practitioners on these boards.
As has been said more than a few times, if your shoulder can take it, your Handi can too.