Author Topic: need advise on picking new handi (Read 1106 times)

newhunter06 · « **on:** January 19, 2007, 05:15:04 AM »

lookn to get a new handi for whitetail hunting, lookn for a 200-350 yard gun already have a 45/70 but this is alittle out of its reach. any advise would help!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:14:54 AM »

I would take a long look at the .280, Seems to me the it has about the best punch at longer ranges with a flaater trajectory. Don't think you could go wrong with a .30-06 thou.

Spanky · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:16:58 AM »

What about an Ultra in .25-06?? If you want a plain jane Handi, you can't go wrong with a .270 . Either one is good for that 350 yd. shot.

newhunter06 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:18:02 AM »

i have been thinking about the 25-06 ultra but dont know much about the round

Spanky · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:23:49 AM »

The .25-06 is a necked down .30-06. It shoots flat like a 7 mag. but without the recoil.

newhunter06 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:29:17 AM »

how hard is the ammo to find and how is it priced?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:32:26 AM »

Quote from: newhunter06 on January 19, 2007, 05:15:04 AM

lookn to get a new handi for whitetail hunting, lookn for a 200-350 yard gun already have a 45/70 but this is alittle out of its reach. any advise would help!

The 270- 280- 30-06 are all capable of taking a 200-350 yard shot..all three are good choices..The 270 is usually the flattest shooting of the 3 in factory loads...so if you don't hand load your own...might play into your decision...or you can oder your ammo on line..and open up most real possibilities...My choice in the Handi would be either the 270 or the 280...with the nod going to the 280 and it's 26" barrel... and since I reload..and can order on-line ammo if need be...

Mac

Spanky · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:33:46 AM »

The ammo isn't that hard to find. All of the gun shops in my area have it in stock. It tends to run around $20 a box.

newhunter06 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2007, 06:39:33 AM »

so now i'm between the 25-06 and the 280, dunno

newhunter06 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:09:28 AM »

jus got a price on the 25-06 fopr 279.00 hjows this for a price?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:20:02 AM »

Quote from: newhunter06 on January 19, 2007, 07:09:28 AM

jus got a price on the 25-06 fopr 279.00 hjows this for a price?

Fair price...they can be had for a little less in various places..

Do you hand load or just shoot factory..?

Mac

newhunter06 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:21:16 AM »

factory ammo for now, why?

newhunter06 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:38:53 AM »

what is the best factory ammo for the 25-06?

backstrap · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:45:52 AM »

Just like any rifle u will have to shoot diffrant factory ammo to c which 1 it likes

Mac11700 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:46:57 AM »

Quote

factory ammo for now, why?

It makes a big difference...that's why...

Here's my thoughts on a single shot rifle...

If you are going to use one for hunting...you want to be able to have the best in performance from your chosen rifle...After all...the name of the game is making the first shot...be your only needed shot...So...if you are talking being able to make a 1 shot kill on a whitetail at 300-350 yards...it matters which ammo you use...I need a load..that delivers the best energy..the flattest trajectory..and preforms just as it should when it enters what I am hunting...Be it varmints or big game...Most on the shelf factory loads leaves a-lot desired for me...and I can usually produce my own ammo that will be more consistent shot to shot which makes me a better hunter..and at a reduced price over buying factory ammo with the same components..which makes my wife happier

...I choose to use the best when it comes to hunting...and since my pocket book is limited as most likely yours is..I hand load to achieve my desired wants...in a price range more suitable to my finances...and 9 times out of 10..produce loads that far exceed the factory offerings...namely because it is made specifically for my rifle... If you look at some of the links for ammo I gave there..you will find a few places that offer these high performance loads...and see their prices reflect the better components used..even though this is for mainly the 260..these on-line dealers have many different loads available..no matter what you are going to get...http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,109282.0.html
..Yes..there are some factory loads that do have good figures...but..not all of them will shoot well in your rifle...and the way I see it...I have 1 shot to make the most of it when using a Handi...I choose to make that 1 shot count...Many people have different ideas of what is the best for any caliber...You have to decide what you want to hunt...then match what is available and try it...No 2 rifles are the same..and each will have it's own preference of what it will shoot the best...

Mac

backstrap · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:51:32 AM »

where is this 279.00 from your local gun shop i dont know what they get out of a handi rifle at a gun shop but about a mounth ago i had a brand new 1 in my hand a 25-06 green laminated stock for 214 at gander mountin try to buy it but some thing to do with me being out of state, i bought my 223 back in 89 and it was 234 then, walmart here gets 250 out of them i would think 279 would be high but thats just my opinon i would look around before i bought that 1

newhunter06 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:53:48 AM »

thanks mac for the info. no disrespect intended with the "why" i was just curious if there was factory loads pout there that shoot well

newhunter06 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2007, 07:57:03 AM »

yes this is from my local gunshop, i cant find any other dealer close to me and the walmarts around me since katrina nolonger sale guns

backstrap · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2007, 08:01:38 AM »

But look at it this way buy the time u buy all the things to reload and there is a bunch of stuff and its not cheap becasue i have been looking very hard at the reloading stuff, that a person could buy a lott of factory ammo like for instant your rifle likes the winchester ballistic tip u could buy a lott of ammo that would last u many years of hunting seasons for a long time for what all the equitment and powder and bullet and all that good stuff, i buy factory ammo for all my guns 30-06, 243,223 and never had any factory ammo let me down from shooting varmits with the 223 to deer with my 06 and 243 but that is just my opinon and ever 1 has 1

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2007, 08:13:10 AM »

Walmarts price for the Ultra, just for comparison, is $234, The GunSource is $281, $230 for the Handi. The Handi is $214 at RR and $260 for the Ultra.

Tim

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3138379

http://thegunsource.com/store/item.aspx?PID=4140

http://thegunsource.com/store/item.aspx?PID=6828

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=GSB2256

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=GSB2806

buckslugger · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2007, 08:48:15 AM »

Sir,

you need to take a hard look at the 7mm08 and its ballistics, very flat shooter alot of siloutte shooters are using that and the 260
rem for long range, hits hard recoils little

roy

mookster79 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2007, 09:41:39 AM »

I agree with backstrap on the fact that you can find factory loads that are going to give you the righ accuracy everytime. I have 2 or 3 for my .223 handi that turn in ubelievable results. I am also by no means disagreeing with Mac that reloading for your own rifle is the way to go. Not only do you taylor rounds to your rifle, but you get to see the work you put in turn in results down range. I don't agree that it is that expensive to get into reloading. I am considering the reloading venture as well, and have been stockpiling all the .223 brass from my handi and my AR that are in good shape. You can get into a good reloading kit including the materials for a couple hundred bucks. It won't be top of the line but it will all work. I grew up watching family members load with some pretty old equipment and my uncle produces unbelievable results. I am not going to say anymore than that because that discussion is for the reload forum.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 19, 2007, 10:39:43 AM »

Quote from: newhunter06 on January 19, 2007, 07:53:48 AM

thanks mac for the info. no disrespect intended with the "why" i was just curious if there was factory loads pout there that shoot well

None taken...I was just explaining " my view "...Sure...there are several good factory loads that will do a good job in a Handi...some..will even do better than my hand loads will...just not very often...When I find 1...I generally use it...and I am quite sure criteria isn't the same as yours..and I just don't have 1 load that I use for 1 gun...I try to have at least 2 or 3 loads for each..that will shoot to my standards...Case in point...Here are the 2 loads I would have a hard time not to use in a a 280 Handi...

This is a 10 shot group with Remington 140 Core-locs at 100 yards...One that would be suitable for any deer hunting I could possibly

This one is another factory load...It's uses one of the premium bullets...It's the 140 grain Federal Trophy Bonded Bear claw...and would be suitable for much larger game than just whitetails...

This one is from one of my 25-06 Handi's...It is from the Winchester Supreme line...and is the 117 grain Silver Ballistic tip...it too would be a good round for anyone wanting a 25-06 factory load..

See what I mean...There are loads that will do good for you..some much better than others...You just have to figure out what your specifications are..and choose a load to try..and see if it does what you want...Sometimes it's that easy...and cheap...Other times...it will drive you nuts...

Backstap...

Yes indeed one can go their whole life without ever firing a hand load if they choose to...and yes...the way I reload isn't what one calls cheap..by no-means...But..once the equipment is bought & paid for...producing finely crafted ammunition is as easy as taking the time to pay close attention to detail..You can get by with some of the most inexpensive equipment around if you choose to...or the cheapest components as well...You just have to do what's best for you...

Mac

newhunter06 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2007, 03:41:51 AM »

thanks for all the info yall guess its till a split decision between the 25-06 and the 280, i dunno i guess its like choosing between two super models! hard choice!

Mac11700 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 20, 2007, 06:41:24 AM »

They are both good choices...With the 280...you can go up to bigger game easier...with the 25-06...you can utilize it as a super long range varmint gun...Do what most other Handi-holics do...get both...and cover all your bases...besides...it's the only 2 you can still get with a 26" barrel for now at least...

Mac

newhunter06 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 20, 2007, 07:27:23 AM »

well mac, thats good advise but i jus bought5 my 45/70 around christmas and the wife has already said no more guns for awhile so i'll be lucky to get just one but i've decided on the 280, called and got a price of 229.00 from another gun shop close by that i didnt know that carried them!

Mac11700 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 20, 2007, 05:17:32 PM »

I will do good for ya..It's a very nice round..Lots of bullet choices...plenty of factory loads to choose from..What's not to like...and $229.00 is a good price...

Mac