Author Topic: Newbie here. Just wavin a hand!! (Read 1418 times)

AlbinoAlligator · « **on:** March 25, 2007, 01:37:21 PM »

Hello, I have just discovered these Handi rifles. A few years ago I tried getting into TC contenders, because I like the idea of an accurate single shot rifle. But I am not one of those guys with alot of cash just sitting around to spend on guns. I was very suprised to discover an affordable version. So I am in the process of aquiring my first. It is a good thing I don't have the money for it yet because I am not sure what I am going to get. I know I want it to kill yotes, and I'm sure I'll want to take whitetail hunting as well. I also enjoy punching paper if the gun is a good shooter. My local shop has one good candidate, they have one in 7mm-08 blued and wood. It has the smaller diameter barrel, not the one with iron sights, but not a bull. I am not sure what they call that configuration. If I was going to order one I might stick with 7-08, but probably in a Bull Barrel. So anyway I'll be spending some of my free time here on this site, it seems like a good one.

Feel free to tell me what handis you have, and what you do with them.

Later All,
AA

MSP Ret · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2007, 01:57:27 PM »

Welcome aboard AA, these fine rifles will shoot with the best of them, some need a little TLC and some don't but that is part of the fun and charm of them. They are not much better or worse than some other other guns on the market but they are more fun. more affordable, amerisan made, and most have the ability with a little work to shoot better than most that hold them, myself included of course. What you get depends on what you want to do with it and what you like. Ther are some that just seem to shoot great right away, the .223's, .280's, 30-06's, .17 HMR's, .17 Mach2's and 45-70's come immediately to mind. Then there are the versatile ones, the 12 and 20 gauges the .357's. And these have just scratched the surface, you WILL need more than one, luckily they are the affordable alternative....<><....

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2007, 01:58:52 PM »

Welcome

from the West side of the island, Oregon.

EDIT: Forgot to add my small collection of Handi's.

270 Ultra Comp has done in a blacktail or three out here in the woods.
223 Standard Barrel for the coyotes chasing my chickens.

Bill

AlbinoAlligator · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2007, 02:18:35 PM »

I have noticed alot of folks here seem to like the 223 for accuracy. That might have to be my second barrel. But for now I would feel better about somthing a little bit bigger, as I would like to use it for whitetail. No offence to those who use 223 for deer. I am well aware that many feel 223 is a great deer caliber. To each his own! I am always up for caliber disscusion. I do reload, although it's been awhile since I have. When I get this new handi I will surely start again. I once had a contender in 7mm-08, and really liked it, It would be fun to try my old loads that I worked up for the tc, and see how they shoot out of a handi.

AA

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2007, 02:19:22 PM »

AA

Welcome aboard , you may want to look at the 25/06 as a combo deer / varmnit gun . as for my handi's , lets see

22LR
22 Mag
218 Bee ( coming from smith )
32 H&R Mag
223 Rem Bull barrel
22-250
243 Win
270 ( X2 )
30/30
7.62x39
45/70
Plus shotguns , I think thats all of them .

stimpy

AlbinoAlligator · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2007, 02:33:05 PM »

WOW Stimpy, that's impressive. 25-06 is another good choice. I was thinking about keeping recoil done abit. I would think the 25-06 packs abit more punch than 7-08 if I am remebering my calibers correctly. It has been awhile since I have dabbled. Which gets me thinking, has anyone here ever had muzzle breaks made for there handis? That would be cool.
AA

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2007, 03:10:17 PM »

AA

I'm on the short list compaired to some here , H&R at one time made some barrels with comp's on them if i remember corectly , not sure if you can still get them anymore .

The 25/06 and the 280 also come with 26" barrels as opposed to the 22" or 24" with most handis , you could also jump right to the big dog ( a 45/70 ) .

I knew i was missing one , i also have a 450 Marlin Handi also .

stimpy

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2007, 03:26:13 PM »

Welcome aboard. I agree with Stimpy 25-06 could be the barrel for you. It is enough to take white tails and enough for varmints and such for as much as 400 yards.

BANG_OW · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2007, 01:35:44 AM »

Welcome AA,
If you ever start feeling guilty about having too many guns, this is the site to come to! These guys are really passionate about their Handis. Several of them have entire arsenals. If you look around in the FAQ section you will find a lot of pictures and a wealth of information. They probably even have a Handi made up for that little guy on your lap!
Northern WI ?, I'm thinking you probably could also use a .35 Whelen or a .45-70, to complement that .25-06.
And don't forget muzzleloading, a 26" stainless pipe would be nice.....

Spanky · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2007, 02:56:20 AM »

Welcome aboard

That 7-08 is good for deer and you could get a .223 or something for the coyotes.

My (too short) list of Handi's and Pardner's includes:

.22 Mag Ultra Varmint
.223 bull barrel Handi
30-30
30-06
.410
20 ga. mod.
20 ga. "shorty" cut to 20.5"
12 ga. mod.
12 ga. "shorty" cut to 20.5"

I like the "shorty" Pardner's, they are alot of fun and make great truck guns!

Spanky.

PartsMan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2007, 06:13:05 AM »

The 25-06 is nice for coyote and deer.
Thats how I got started in handis.
I then bought a 223 hb and now have traded my 25-06 for a 7mm-08 barrel.
The recoil charts I looked at (chuckhawk.com) showed 25-06 and 7mm-08 bout the same.
223 and 308 would make a nice pair also.

PS the 7mm only comes in standard barrel.
If they offered every caliber with every option these guys would have hundreds of them.

eskimo36 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2007, 07:04:09 AM »

i look at every barrel as a new gun to shoot. Some are good, some are not as good, but time shooting is not time waisted regardless of group size.

My short list and they are all good....
30-30 (topper barrel)
38-55 x 2
500 S&W
7.62x39
12 guage with screw in chokes
410 (old topper)

Looks like I might need a 45-70 and maybe something little...i forgot, I do have a 22 LR barrel waiting to be a 218 bee.

AlbinoAlligator · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2007, 02:30:46 PM »

Just thought I'd let yall know, I have decided my first Handi will be a 25-06. As soon a I get the funds together I will be ordering it. Thanks for the welcomes, and advice.

AA

Buckman · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2007, 02:36:37 PM »

Nice choice on the handi. I'm a newbie myself and just bought one in 30 06 as we shoot mainly deer, elk and moose up here in British Columbia. You guys sure have it good down there as you are able to send your reciver away to nef and get another barrel or two. Wish we had that here.

Pharmboy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2007, 04:05:05 PM »

25-06 is a good choice, but I'm sure it won't be your last!

.223 Bull 6-24x40 (yote whacker)
.243 6x40, laser mount and tactical flashlight (night whacker)
.270 6x40 (deer whacker)
.357 Max 2.5-10x56 IR (hog whacker)
.45-70 1.5-4.5x32 (anything I want to whacker)
.50 ML 6x40 (extend the season whacker)
20 USH 1.5-4.5x40 (when they make you use a shotgun whacker)
12 31/2" (The survivor whacker)
10 Propoint Red Dot (turkey whacker)

Man, I'm sick><>>>>>>

Pharmboy

db22 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2007, 05:23:24 PM »

AA, where are you in Up-Nort' Wisconsin? I used to hunt in Bayfield County now and then, but usually north of Antigo in Langlade County. Once in Forest County, where I could have stumbled over the line into the UP. Settled in the western part of the state now, on the Black River north of La Crosse.

Yep, you'll love these little fusils -- they are in fact Handy. Let the yuppies have their $2500 custom jobs -- I think I have more fun looking for used H&R stocks at gun shows, refinishing them, and having a good gun that I made, at least partly, myself. Hang out here and you'll learn a whole lot. Welcome!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2007, 07:19:22 PM »

Okay AA, you asked for it!!

17M2 Sportster*
17Hmr Sportster*
22 Hornet Handi*
204 Ruger Handi*
223 Ultra Varmint*
22-250 Fluted Ultra Varmint*
243 Ultra Varmint*
25-06 Ultra*
270 Ultracomp w/cinn lam*
270 Ultracomp w/red lam*
7mm-08 Handi*
7x64 Brenneke Handi*
280 Improved Ultra**
30-30 Handi*
30-30 Topper 158*
308 Ultra bull barrel*
30-06 Ultracomp*
30-06 SS Ultra*
300WSM Ultra (test gun, not a viable caliber)
338-06 A-Square Ultra**
35 Remington Handi**
35 Whelen RMEF Ultra**
405 Winchester Target**
45-70 Ultra*
45-70 BC Carbine w/ WGRS and firesight*
45-70 BC w/scope*
45-120 BC w/Smith Long Range sight***
500 S&W Handi*
20ga Pardner
12ga Harrington & Richardson

All of the above are complete guns, also have a 22mag barrel. I've hunted with a few of em, but for the most part, I just shoot em!!

Tim

* = favorites

bigjeepman · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2007, 11:41:37 PM »

Welcome AA ...

Tim ...
Don't you think it would be easier at this point in your collecting career to start a spreadsheet that you could copy/paste instead of all that effort it has to take to type that huge inventory?

What a collection ... !! Do you have a favorite?

flitz · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2007, 11:59:23 PM »

AA welcome

i am new to. these things are alot of fun.so far i have
223 this one shoots awesome
243 going to smith will be a 6mm imp
20 ga
have a place in place in pembine for my getaways

flitz

AlbinoAlligator · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2007, 01:47:52 AM »

db22 I live in Ashland county, and I own some hunting land in Bayfeild county. We sure have it made living in this part of the country.
I'm sure the 25-06 won't be the last. It might take awhile to get caught up to quickdtoo, I think you have all of them, or maybe more!

AA

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 29, 2007, 04:47:10 AM »

I marked my favorites with an *. I'm missing a 7x57, the others that I don't have are by choice, 44mag, .357 and 450 Marlin. Have a 444 Marlin and 45 Colt barrel on order.

Tim

djw · « **Reply #21 on:** March 29, 2007, 05:16:30 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on March 29, 2007, 04:47:10 AM

I marked my favorites with an *.
Tim

Tim,
I noticed that only 3 do not have an *, and some have two or three. Those must be your extra special favorites.

Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** March 29, 2007, 05:45:53 AM »

Yup!!

OMG!!! I forgot the .338-06AS!!!!

I fixed it!

BANG_OW · « **Reply #23 on:** March 29, 2007, 03:52:17 PM »

What about a .22 Hornet BULL barrel?
Does anyone have one?
Do they exist? I've heard rumors. $:-\$
Thanks,
Don

4570FAN · « **Reply #24 on:** March 29, 2007, 04:17:30 PM »

Tim:

To save space on this forum and the hard-drives of it's users, maybe you should just list the ones you DON'T have!!!

Aaron

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** March 29, 2007, 04:20:06 PM »

Quote from: BANG_OW on March 29, 2007, 03:52:17 PM

What about a .22 Hornet BULL barrel?
Does anyone have one?
Do they exist? I've heard rumors. $:-\$
Thanks,
Don

Shaner lucked into one when he was on the phone with H&R, he's got the only one I'm aware of.

Tim

quickdtoo · « **Reply #26 on:** March 29, 2007, 04:20:56 PM »

Quote from: 4570FAN on March 29, 2007, 04:17:30 PM

Tim:

To save space on this forum and the hard-drives of it's users, maybe you should just list the ones you DON'T have!!!

Aaron

Datil · « **Reply #27 on:** March 29, 2007, 06:16:58 PM »

Tim remember I am in your will!

Marv.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 29, 2007, 06:18:30 PM »

Got ya covered, Marv! But remember, it's is a reciprocal will!

Tim

db22 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 04, 2007, 12:38:28 AM »

Quote from: AlbinoAlligator on March 29, 2007, 01:47:52 AM

db22 I live in Ashland county, and I own some hunting land in Bayfeild county. We sure have it made living in this part of the country.
I'm sure the 25-06 won't be the last. It might take awhile to get caught up to quickdtoo, I think you have all of them, or maybe more!

AA

AA -- You are right up there in the good part of the world! Not that things are so bad here, but I bet you don't have a subdivision building right next to your property. Glad you're here -- keep us posted about your new rifle.