Author Topic: Buying a new gun!!!!!!!!!! (Read 1410 times)

Nightstalker6117 · « **on:** January 22, 2007, 04:20:38 PM »

First off hi everyone new to the site. I just got a $200 gift certificate to Bass Pro and i have been contimplating for some time on a NEF handi rifle. I dont have alot of money so I know that they are a decent gun for the money from my understanding. Now here is the problem I now have this extra money and I have now thought of other options.I thought of selling the 17 savage that I have and getting the new thumbhole stainless version or selling my 7.62 x 54 with synthetic stock and all the upgrades that I have done and getting one of those savage rifle / scope combo's. I do already have a Bushnell Trophy scope to go on a larger caliber rifle so I guess I dont have to do the combo.

? AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! And then what caliber do i get if I get a larger caliber gun. 243 ... 270 ... 308. Guys tell me what you would do if your wife said you could get a gun with that gift certificate. I know it wont cover it all but a large chunk. My B-day is coming up so i know that is why I got the OK. Which gun and what caliber.....I guess I should let you know that I will be useing the gun for deer hunting maybe if I go bac to Texas a hog hunt or two and then I am the type that will plink with every gun that I have from time to time. Any info or opinion would be great. I know this is the NEF site so that is OK if it is bias.

handirifle · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2007, 05:34:42 PM »

Well, it depends on what you're going to do with it?

??

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2007, 06:43:52 PM »

nightstalker

First off , Welcome to the crazy world of GBO and Handi's , now for the rifle ,Deer and Hogs at 150 yards or less , 45/70 no dout would be my first choice in the 22" barrel and a 4x or a 2x7 scope , my next choice would be the 308 with a 3x9 , and #3 would be the Bull Barrel 243 with a 3x9 .

Any of these will fit the bill for hunting as well as gen. plunking , i have 2 out of the 3 and would not trade them for anything , ok all most anything .

stimpy

Dillohide · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2007, 06:54:31 PM »

Don't know what terrain you'll be deer and hog hunting in but it doesn't matter ... you couldn't go wrong with a 270, 308 or 30-06. If I had to buy just one, my all around preference would be the 30-06. Bass Pro will always have the 270 & 30-06 in stock and most likely the 308 & 243. I like a little heavier round than the 243 for deer and hog (just my preference) but I learned to deer hunt with a 243 and there is nothing wrong with it. That Trophy scope will work on all of them.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2007, 07:54:44 PM »

My personal choices...

The 280 for starters...Load it up...load it down...best gun...all around...(me make funny

)...In it's standard form...one of the best over all performers in a Handi I have ever had...In it's improved form...it will make it even better...but is a hand loading proposition only

Second...for any hunting needs(big hogs included)...inside 250 yards...The 45-70...This ole war horse is at it's best with the Nosler partitions from 1800 fps to 2450 fps..Ask nomosendaro about my 2400 fps hand loads and what they will do to a whitetail ...

Third...The good ole 30-30...Cheap to deer hunt with...and still taking them...left and right...Easy on the pocket book...easy to reload...factory ammo available...just about everywhere...Can't go wrong with one...plain and simple

Fourth...A 24" 223...Winchester White box ammo...and prairie dogs go hand & hand around here

Fifth...A 24" 243...Awesome little round...it has gotten a bad rap due to the super blight barrels..but in this config...ranks right up at the top for a real fun accurate gun...

Sixth..A 25-06...Excellent long range antelope medicine...easy on the shoulder...usually extreamly accurate with varmint & deer loads...

Most of the rest are good too...some better than others...some worse...but these are the ones I would recommend..

Mac

old geezer · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2007, 03:18:58 AM »

Somebody above mentioned Bass Pro always having a good stock of Handi's. I was in the new store in Macon, Ga last night, and they had exactly three in stock, a 223 for $209, a stainless 30-06 for about $260 something, and a 17, price not noted. Guy said they sold a lot of them before CHRISTmas, and hadn't restocked. I was looking for a 30-30, said he'd gladly order me one, but I have to have one in my hands before I commit.

It's a crying shame, I've been in nine gun stores over the last week, with a pocket full of cash burning a hole, and I haven't spent a penny. I have run across two in a pawn shop, 00 and 01 models, that I've been watching since Thanksgiving. He wanted $200 for them then, so I figured after deer season closed and CHRISTmas passed, he might come down a little. Checked again yesterday, and he won't budge. He can keep them.

PartsMan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2007, 03:21:14 AM »

308 If you want plinking and hogs.
all of the above work on deer.

sluggo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2007, 04:35:08 AM »

...to be honest, doesn't matter to me what caliber a handi's in, just darn fun to shoot.

cascadedad · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2007, 06:47:10 AM »

OK, I hope I don't get kicked off the forum for this, but, here goes......................

First, I am new to Handi's. Recently purchased a 223 HB and I love it. Having a great time tinkering and looking forward to some nicer weather to shoot in. Weekend before last when I shot, it was 20 degrees. Oh, well.

Ok, for my recommendation after reading your post a couple times. I would recommend you try to come up with the money to buy a Savage in either 270 or 30-06. If all you can find is the package, get the package and save your other scope for later. With the Savage you are going to get a great trigger right out of the box. I know some don't like the lawyer bar, but you'll get used to it. Almost guaranteed to get outstanding accuracy, as good as much higher priced guns. Again, right out of the box, no muss, no fuss.

If that is still a little out of your price range, you can get the Stevens. You won't get the Accu-Trigger, but it will still shoot and you can mount the scope you have on it.

THEN, start saving your pennies, nickels and dimes for that first Handi. It won't take long and then the fun will begin.

Now, if you are a tinkerer and like to do things yourself. Forget what I wrote above and buy a Handi. The fun you have tinkering will be well worth the money.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2007, 07:41:07 AM »

Quote from: cascadedad on January 23, 2007, 06:47:10 AM

OK, I hope I don't get kicked off the forum for this, but, here goes......................

First, I am new to Handi's. Recently purchased a 223 HB and I love it. Having a great time tinkering and looking forward to some nicer weather to shoot in. Weekend before last when I shot, it was 20 degrees. Oh, well.

Ok, for my recommendation after reading your post a couple times. I would recommend you try to come up with the money to buy a Savage in either 270 or 30-06. If all you can find is the package, get the package and save your other scope for later. With the Savage you are going to get a great trigger right out of the box. I know some don't like the lawyer bar, but you'll get used to it. Almost guaranteed to get outstanding accuracy, as good as much higher priced guns. Again, right out of the box, no muss, no fuss.

If that is still a little out of your price range, you can get the Stevens. You won't get the Accu-Trigger, but it will still shoot and you can mount the scope you have on it.

THEN, start saving your pennies, nickels and dimes for that first Handi. It won't take long and then the fun will begin.

Now, if you are a tinkerer and like to do things yourself. Forget what I wrote above and buy a Handi. The fun you have tinkering will be well worth the money.

No one is going to kick you off here for recommending buying another brand of gun...at least not me...I will say...with all of the hoopla over the Stevens one would expect to find a quality firearm every time you pick one up...I didn't find that so.....In this month alone...I personally have handled 16 of them...all new in the box... in various calibers..with the full intent of purchasing 3 of them...I didn't find one of them worth the asking price...All of them had horrible triggers...bedding problems..sloppy bolt travel..parts falling off...mis-cut crowns..and much worse...They certainly weren't the quality I saw when they first came out...and was very disappointed in how these were put together...IMHO...if your going to buy a bolt gun...Either pay for a better assembled gun NIB...or get a better quality used one...if this is the type of firearm you want...All massed produced firearms have problems...and buying a Savage/Stevens is no different...and is certainly no guarantee that it will be problem free...I wound up buying a new blued Weatherby MOA at a really great price...and have no regrets on spending more for higher quality...While I love the challenge of making a $250 Handi shoot like a BR gun...sometimes I just don't want to have to work at it...I also purchased 2 new Handi combo's for my 2 boys to start out on...If I find these not worthy..they will go back and get fixed..or get sold to fund something else...but....I have a lot of confidence they will do just fine..and exceed their expectations...

Mac

cascadedad · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:52:45 AM »

I don't disagree with you Mac. A few months ago I bought a 243 Savage package deal. I didn't have any problem sighting it in with the factory installed Simmons scope and I found the scope not too bad. But.....I have since then put on a Nikon ProStaff 3-9, just because. I have personally never even picked up one of the Stevens rifles.

Most of what I have read on the internet regarding the Savage/Stevens guns is good. Personally, I really like the Accu-Trigger. Mine was 2 1/2 lbs out of the box. I know some Absolutely HATE it. Everyone's taste is different. My Handi's trigger was 6 1/2 lbs out of the box. It was a crisp 6 1/2 lbs, but way heavier than what I like. Easy fix. I printed off the Perklo and Raynor papers and did it myself one evening. I really enjoyed it.

To me, the quality of the Savage is in the trigger and the accuracy. The bolt is not rough, but it is not slick as a whistle like some of the higher dollar guns for sure. At least not right now. The stock is "cheap" as some call it, but it is functional and doesn't seem to negatively affect accuracy.

I also understand what you are saying about paying for quality when you bought the Weatherby. That just doesn't seem like where Nightstalker is right now. From the way I read the original post, he wants to get the most "bang for the buck" deer gun. In my mind, it would be very hard to beat the Savage. You're right though, there are no guarantees.

I have only been around this site for a short while now, but my conclusion to this point is that MOST of these Handi's are shooters. But, it may very well take quite a bit of work by the owner to figure it all out. Some of us like that sort of thing, but there are many out there that don't. The rifle for them is a hunting tool. After hunting season, it goes in the closet, or under the bed matress. A week before hunting season it gets brought out and shot 2-3 times to make sure it is on the paper and........ok, good enough, ready to hunt.

Anyway, sorry for being so long winded. I really didn't fear getting kicked off the site for my other post.

But, now I ask the question, are all these Handiholics brainwashed? On that, I will start another thread.

Nightstalker6117 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2007, 03:03:07 PM »

First off thanks for the info. I am still not sure what to get. Let me let yall in on something on why I am asking about the Handi's. A friend of mine that I hung out with alot while I was in the service bought a 243 laminate stock handi rifle. It looked to be a "medium" weight

barrel. I dotn even know if there is one but it looked bigger than a sporter and smaller than a bull. We could not get that thing to shoot at all. Maybe 3" groups at 50 yards. It was sent off to NEF and they said that they shoot 3" groups at 100 yrds and sent the gun back saying that nothing was wrong that the gun likes 100 grain pills and that we need to shoot those. Got the gun back with 100 grain corelokts if I remember correctly and STILL a horrible shooting gun. FLOATED the forarms changed scopes you name it not a shooter. That is why I am wondering so much. I want to thank you for all your input. And that is for everyone whether you think Handi's are the one and only or think i should try something else. I am going to continue to listen to all the info that yall give and do alot of price checking. CASCADE you are right I do want the best bang for the buck as I am sure we all do or in my opinion all should. Also I have read that alot of people say that the 280 is a shooter in the Handi. Do yall think the 28" barrel has alot to due to that considering the others have a 22".

Countryboy · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2007, 05:15:04 PM »

I love my handis but if I could have only one gun it would be a Savage in 30-06. Please note I said Savage not Stevens. Three reasons: Out of box accuracy, low cost, bolt action.

Before you jump my case let me defend. If I had to have one I'd want more than one shot. I like the heart and soul of a single shot but between me and a hog I'd rather be sure.

Second choice wound be a handi 25-06 or 280.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2007, 07:09:58 PM »

Quote from: Nightstalker6117 on January 23, 2007, 03:03:07 PM

First off thanks for the info. I am still not sure what to get. Let me let yall in on something on why I am asking about the Handi's. A friend of mine that I hung out with alot while I was in the service bought a 243 laminate stock handi rifle. It looked to be a "medium" weight barrel. I dotn even know if there is one but it looked bigger than a sporter and smaller than a bull. We could not get that thing to shoot at all. Maybe 3" groups at 50 yards. It was sent off to NEF and they said that they shoot 3" groups at 100 yrds and sent the gun back saying that nothing was wrong that the gun likes 100 grain pills and that we need to shoot those. Got the gun back with 100 grain corelokts if I remember correctly and STILL a horrible shooting gun. FLOATED the forarms changed scopes you name it not a shooter. That is why I am wondering so much. I want to thank you for all your input. And that is for everyone whether you think Handi's are the one and only or think i should try something else. I am going to continue to listen to all the info that yall give and do alot of price checking. CASCADE you are right I do want the best bang for the buck as I am sure we all do or in my opinion all should. Also I have read that alot of people say that the 280 is a shooter in the Handi. Do yall think the 28" barrel has alot to due to that considering the others have a 22".

NS6117:

The 280 comes with a 26" barrel...not a 28"...same for the 25-06...Both of them are good guns in a Handi...I don't know what to tell you about your 243...I've never had them tell me that if it will shoot 3" groups with a particular round to use that one exclusively..If it looked like a light weight Handi...then it probably was...and the lighter barrels in both 308 & 243 aren't the best choices..but can be coaxed into shooting ok groups...but it isn't a easy thing to do....All of the bull barrels shoot much better...I already know that my eldest is wanting a 243 barrel for his combo I recently purchased for him..since he has a couple friends who hunt with their Dads and that is what they have...So...since the youngest usually follows big brothers lead...looks there will be 2 of them ordered this spring..

cascadedad...While my personal preference to the Accu-trigger is either a Timeny or Jewel...they do work for most folks...I've shot them on the Law Enforcement 308 Savage and had good luck with the way it was set up...but..if paying as much as my friend did for his...I can get a-lot more from other manufactures...and did so...and unfortunately his model is no longer available...I know...I looked...Getting cheap stocks on a rifle is a simple cure...I change them...and having to save for a year to get a rifle fully set up I have done many times...sometimes even longer...A person can find some incredible sales on the net if they know where to look...so...getting a good gun as mine or yours isn't as expensive as most think..and I would rather see someone get a much better rifle out of the box...than those 16 I looked at......Some Handi's will shoot good right out of the box..I've had several that would..some took an o-ring to make into a tack driver with factory ammo....others...well...I have spent many hours on the bench trying to find the sweet spot for them..and realized they would only shoot 1" to 1-1/2" groups at 100 yards...While that may make most folks ecstatic..it really doesn't do anything for me anymore...since I know a-lot of them will be 1/4" guns...I usually will make a good shooter out of 1 then sell it off...It's just something I like to do...and most folks I have sold them enjoy them still...I'm technically down to my last Handi now...and it will last me for awhile...I'll be getting enough trigger time in with the Boys rifles to keep me in shape with them..and if I do get any more barrels...it will be a bull 243...just so I can do a chamber job on it..and have a nice 600 yard varmint/match barrel made...

Mac

Nightstalker6117 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2007, 03:51:12 AM »

Mac I stand corrected 280 26" barrel I dont know what I was thinking. 280 ... 28 must have got trigger happy on the 8 hahaha. I think I am going to go with the bull barrelled 243 I think i is th sb2-s43. Of course now I have heard many good things about the 280 and I have heard from others of the 25-06. Why cant the be a gun with my name on it and thats it. I feel like a woman in a shoe store.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2007, 07:16:43 PM »

The 24" bull barreled 243 is a darn good shooting Handi...I liked mine a-lot...and mitchell likes it too...since it is his now...

The 280 & the 25-06 are also some of the best barrels going these days...so...if you luv these little rifles...you might as well make room in the gun cabinet for a few more

Mac

AiredaleTerrier · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2007, 03:46:02 AM »

Mac,

Any chance you could give more details on the work you would have done to the .243 bull barrel Handi?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2007, 05:24:05 AM »

Sure...

I would clean it completely first thing...lap the bore by hand and RTV bed the fore arm...Then do a barrel break in on it..Then shoot some factory Lapua 90 grain loads thru it...just to see how accurate it will be with them...Then depending on how well it shot...If as good as my first bull barrel...I would continue shooting it as is...if not as good.....I would most likely rechamber it to a improved..and have the option of boosting the velocity..or not..but at least having a tighter chamber and neck on it...The Lapua brass is some of the best going...and would be a good choice to use for this..It isn't real cheap..but a whole lot better than either Remington's or Winchester's..

Mostly it will depend on how good it is shooting the heavier weight bullets and the velocities I can get with them as a standard 243..wither or not I would go to a 243 Improved or a 6mm Remington Improved or not..Either way..it will be a fun little barrel to play with...and a relatively inexpensive project..

Mac

myarmor · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2007, 06:56:56 AM »

Good call

-Aaron

kennyd · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2007, 10:22:15 AM »

One of the worst mistakes I ever madewas advising my buddies son to get a Savage 110. There WERE at one time the best inexpensive bolt going. His wanders, won't always fire, and has a crummy trigger. We have changed scopes, tried different weight bullets (handloaded), messed with shims. Now we are to the glass bedding thing when we can. He borrowed my .25-06 Ultra for antelope and deer. Get the 06, 308, or whichever you have a fondness for in a regular handi, you will not be sorry, that 8 inches less in length really makes it useful.