to NEF or Not

[huntinhick]

Hello all,

I have been reading for awhile and thanking of buying a handi rifle for awhile, my first shot gun was a H&R 12g that I should have not gotten rid of.  However I am worried about the accuracy of the handies I see by the poll that something like 60% of the people say they are at least MOA.  what are my chances of getting a dud?.  I am think of 223 for varmit hunting and a 270 for deer, bear and elk and most likely more well just cause.  also is there anyway to mount a scope on the 12g turkey barrels.  Also has anyone tried the fluted varmit model yet?

thanks

huntinhick

[Varminter]

Hello let me be the first to welcome you. Kick your feet up and stay awhile.

Anyway on to your question. With all of the handis i have owned and still own(223,243,270,450,44) none of them have given me any accuracy problems. The 223 is a great one to start with just try and stay away from the superlight barrels. I havent got to play with my 44 much but from what i shot out of the 270 it was gettin 1 in. groups at 100 yds. The 243 i shot about 5 rounds through it then traded it for my 44. The 450 was gettin about 1.5 groups. Just get the one you want i don't think you will go wrong. But be careful they are VERY addicting.

[warf73]

Welcome

I just purchased my first NER/H&R 2 weeks ago. (SB2-833 .223Win 24"bull barrel)

It's very accurate with just run of the mill hand loads.
If you reload get ya a pound of H335 and use the load listed on the bottle.

If ya don't reload head to Wal Mart and get ya a 40 pack of the Winchester White Box. Everyone raves these are supper accurate.

Once you get your rifle take it apart and clean it good.
Then head to the range and see what it does.
My rifle has 0 modes and shoots less than 3/4".




Here is mine, it cost me just under $240.00 out the door at walmart.

Warf

[EVOC ONE]

Hello Huntinhick.  Welcome!

I have Handi's in several calibers and am still dialing some of them in. So far the .223 is averaging about an inch, sometimes less at 100 yds with the Winchester White box 45 gr. commonly found at Wal Mart, Bass Pro, etc.  My .44 Mag is punching one hole groups with as many shots as I want at 50 yds.  One of the locations I hunt is very thick and a 50 yd shot would be about the longest I could get.  The .30-06 is a work in progress. Its best groups are 1"-1 1/2" at 100 yds.  But that's not every time.  Most of my groups are three shots.  

The recoil on each is quite managable.  The .44 is about that of a 12 ga., but a bit sharper.  Not a push.  The .30-06 a bit more, but not abusive.  Now, my 12. ga Tracker II.  Holy Cow!  Without a doubt the most brutal firearm I have ever fired.  Nuf said.

I agree that the .223 would be a good first choice.  Ammo is cheap (NEF does not recommend using military 5.56mm), recoil is very light and you can find them just about anywhere, new or used, which eliminates having to order one.  

Good Luck!

EVOC ONE

[Critter]

huntinhick,
One thing to always keep in mind when asking people about their rifle accuracy is that not all people are good shooters.  All present company excluded of course  :wink:   I worked in several gunshops over the years and had many many people come in and say " This rifle won't shoot".  So you take it to the range check it out and it's shooting 1"-2" groups with off the shelf ammo.  Not the guns fault.  
I had one gentleman in particular that stands out.  I was 17 and it was my first job in a gunshop.  I was doing all the sight in's(yes people pay to have you sight in their rifle) and did a Rem 700 in 270 for a guy.  He comes back hot as hell because the rifle won't shoot. So I'm scared to death I did something wrong.  We take it out and he shoots from the bench and rest and manages a 12" group at 100 yards, WOW.  So I check all the mounts and rings out and have him shoot again, from the bench and rest, same thing. So I shoot it, three aimed but rapid shots, 1 1/2" at 100.  Sometimes it not the rifle that can't shoot.
That said, sometimes it is the rifle but it seems to be the majority of the NEF's shoot very well, especially for the price.

[JPH45]

If you are looking fro a hunting rifle, I think you'll be well satisfied. If you are looking for sub MOA rifle to go toten' through the woods I'm not sure you'd be happy.

The true test of a hunting rifles accuracy is not how well it shoots groups, but how consistantly it places the first shot in the same place every time. My 357, 44 and 38-55 are scary accurate that way. I can call the shot with my 44. the 357 and 38-55 are always inside an inch of itself. All three would be capable of head shots on deer, if I trusted the deer to stay still for me to out it there. I prefer lung shots for this very reason. The first shot is the one that is going to count most, put it where it will reliably do the job the first time.

I do most all my hunting in heavy woods, so even though the ranges are close, accuracy is perhaps even more important as threading a shot through the brush is more common than not.  I've never had a deer walk because my Handi was not accurate enough for the task. I have turned down shots I didn't think I was capable of.

[huntinhick]

Well I am looking for a hunting rifle, at least something diffrent than the bolt and lever guns I have now.  It sounds like I might have to make the jump already, however I was disapointed to hear the ultra light barrel don't seem to shoot well I was thinking the 7mm-08 would be a great blacktail rifle, well I guess the standard barrel is still lighter than my rem 700 30.06.  and the price is right that is for sure,  It sounds like the 223 will do coyotes at a couple hundred yards.  how are the youth guns?  I have a soon to be 9 year old that is asking about the first gun and I am thinking a sportster would be a good start with the youth 223 and 7mm-08 as she gets going.  You are right this could get addicting I have always wanted a single shot 7.62x39 to shoot the cheap ammo as a knock around rifle!!  and well a 357 "I know discontinued but maybe they will bring it back"  would be great when I carry the revolver!!  ahhhhhhh I guess it is a good thing I reload.  

Huntinhick

[Varminter]

Don't get discouraged on the 7mm-08. NEF nevers updates their website and that is a misprint. The 7mm-08 barrel is the standard contour. I am lookin to get a sporster pretty soon and add all the rimfire barrels to it. You can't beat the gun it only costs around $110 brand new at walmart.

[DPRinks]

Huntin;
For the 9 year old, a .243 could be loaded with the 55 or 60 gr bullets at 2500fps or so for a very effective 200 yd load, buy the youth model now and add an adult size stock in 5 or 6 years, increase the velocity and weight as the years go by, in a few years she will be equipped for all common game and varmints.
Still not much of an investment, $300 or so total, unless you go wild on a scope.
Don

[tallyho]

huntinhick:
Don't give up on the 357 Mag. I just got my receiver back yesterday with 357 and 30/30 barrels. They still have barrels, though I don't know if complete rifles can still be had.

Cheers
Kerry

[Nuttinbutchunks]

Yeah, what Critter said. I know my rifles will shoot better than I can right now. All I need to do is practice.

Warning: The Sugeon Genearal has determined that buying Handi's is addicting. Before purchasing, check with your doctor to see if Handi's are right for you. Never shoot your Handi's just after midnight, as strange side affects may occure.  :-D