Interest in a Handi....

[flyfisher]

I have known about the handi rifles for some time now.  I know that their price is outstanding, in comparison with many other name-brand manufacturers.  I have a great interest in purchasing a small bore rifle capable of killing groundhogs, crows, etc. at decent ranges (equal to and less than 300 or 400 yards).  My question is this:  What kind of accuracy is expected from the Handi Rifle at these ranges?  I certainly don't want to start a fight here at GBO, but how can a rifle that cheap promise accuracy that far out?  I have no problem with the fact that the Handi is a single shot, nor do have a problem with looks of the rifle...I just want a good shooter, and am looking for some honest opinions.

Thanks a bunch,

flyfisher

[6-24x42]

my 223 is capable of sub 1/2 MOA if I do my part which seems to be happening less and less. Still less than 3/4 groupings at 100 yards. I do however notice a difference when the wind picks up. You may want to search for a 30-30 article posted a few days ago. Somebody was shootin same hole groupings at 200 yards.

[stimpylu32]

flyfisher

My 223 also shoots at or below 1/2 in. at 100 yards and around 3/4 at 200 . have not shot it at anything past that .

Mitchell has a 204 that just flat shoots at 200 , he has posted some target groups before that just amaze me .

My 270 also shoots under 1 in. at 100 . I am planing to take both the 223 and 270 to shoot PDs this spring so i'll have to do some shooting at 300 and 400 to see how they do at longer ranges .

[trotterlg]

Read lots before you buy.  If you have lots to time to work with the rifle and not much money and are a very lucky person by nature get a handi.  If you want a shooter out of the box then go with a Savage or a stevens 200.  Not a lot of difference in price between the stevens and handi and the stevens is a proven (Savage) bolt design.  I do love the handi's but they may drive you crazy with the little things, like shooting vertical strings 4 inches tall by a half inch wide.  They are cheap and fun to play with, just depends what you want to do with it and how much time you have to fiddle with it.  Larry

[Mac11700]

What kind of accuracy is expected from the Handi Rifle at these ranges? I certainly don't want to start a fight here at GBO, but how can a rifle that cheap promise accuracy that far out? I have no problem with the fact that the Handi is a single shot, nor do have a problem with looks of the rifle...I just want a good shooter, and am looking for some honest opinions.

I know of no promises made from NEF as to shooting as well as some of our rifles do.In fact...I think only a few other companies make written garantee's with theirs...Weatherby & Tikka..

Most Handi's will shoot rather well..some..shoot exceedingly well....and unfourtunatly some don't shoot good at all...no matter what is done to them.It's kinda like any other manufacture...sometimes you do good...other times...you don't.

The 204's really shine...and the 223's rank right up there with some of the best..the 22-250's are shaping up nicely....the 24" bull barreled 243's are also a good choice and are very accurate...moving up the scale a-bit..the 25-06's have done pretty good...it looks like they got a handle on some of the problems they had for a while..the 270's are hanging tuff...and..the Bull barreled 308's are doing pretty good..as are the the 30-06's...so..choose your caliber and have at it.. I'm sure you'll find many that will do everything you want..

Mac

[bladerunner]

It's kinda like any other manufacture...sometimes you do good...other times...you don't.

while this is a true statement,i think your chances of getting an out-of-the-box shooter are considerably better with the stevens

read some of the range reports on this site and decide for yourself....some shoot like a dream,and others are a nightmare

[Duce]

Flyfisher: Accuracy aside Handi's have some idiosyncrasies that need mention.  1. Sticking case, if you'll do a search you'll find reams written on how to remedy this, all summed up Handi's have a weak ejector/extract system. 2. Some barrel are rough usually it takes 200 rounds or more befor they settle in and shoot well. 3. Being a hinged action, shooting technique is everything, bag placement, how tightly or loosly they are held can make a difference on point of impact. 4. While they have improved the triggers can range from quite good to bad, instruction can be found on improving them.  Now there are 6 of them hanging on the my wall, but you wanted the truth, and that's is you must like to tinker to get the most out of them. Good Luck:   <>< Duce:

[flyfisher]

Mac,

Sorry about the wording in my original post...I did not mean to say "promise accuracy that far out", rather I should have said "provide accuracy that far out".  I certainly know that very few companies will offer an accuracy guarantee with their rifles.  Sorry about that, bad wording on my behalf.

[Mac11700]

flyfisher:

No problem...most of the Handi's will work for ya..it just takes time to work up the loads and practice at those distances with it..

Mac

[coop2564]

I'm betting that far more shoot accurately than not. Most That come here have the not group looking for help. Most that shoot fine probobly never post or look for such a site. Your avg hunter probobly shoots under 20 rounds sighting in a new gun.  My 308 wouldn't shoot anything like a group until about 40 rounds and a lot of cleaning. Its still fouling fast.  But if I clean it, shoot 1 fouler and 3 for a group its at MOA  but after six or seven shots and shoot 3 it will be a 2'' group or bigger. I've got about 70 shots through it and its just getting better as i shoot and clean. A couple of weeks ago a salesmen came calling at my work, we talked hunting and guns, he had a ultra 270 that he said wouldn't shoot he had had it 3 yrs shot about 2 boxes of shells through it said he never got it to shoot good enough that he would take it hunting. He had never cleaned it since he bought it just started sighting in or trying too.  Told him how to clean it and he called a few days later and said he had got a 1.5 group off the hood of his truck. To sell so cheap corners are cut. You just have to figure out how to straighen them corners out after you buy one.  If you want to go to that much effort. But once you get em shooten their great. Just my 2 cents.

[Norseman112]

My .223 and .243 handi rifles are sub moa. They did get better the more I shot them. To be honest I did some free floating, as to where I did not have to do that with my stevens which is also accurate, but still when I pick up my handi I really like the way it looks and the heft is nice. Accuarcy , my .223 will print dime size groups at 100 yards  athough I must admitt there a times when I don't.  The .243 will do .75 at 100 yards. I guess you could say I am a lover of all rifles. My good friend made me two custom rifles for cost because I couldnt afford them at the time ( I know good bud huh)  and they shoot tiny groups.  I don't grab my other rifles as much anymore Something has happen..... I don't know why or how come, I just like these H&R single shot rifles and I want more of them.

John

[quickdtoo]

I don't know why or how come, I just like these H&R single shot rifles and I want more of them.
John

Yeah, I hear ya on that!!! I just bought 2 more, got a really great buy on a .223 Handi bull barrel w/ a nice Leupy scope and a .270 UltraComp with the red laminated stock set!!!  :grin: It's gonna be heck waitin on some decent weather for shootin!!!  

Tim

[NMUltra]

My personal limit is a PDog at about 300 yards with .223 winchester white box out of an Ultra Varmint, and about 175 yards with .17 HMR CCI ammo. I did sand out the forend on the UV, no other mods.  I've made longer shots, but not clean kills.

I'm planning to pick up a .22-250 this spring, hoping to get a little more range.