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Author Topic: Planning on getting my first Handi.  (Read 603 times)

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Offline Westbound

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Planning on getting my first Handi.
« on: December 11, 2008, 10:29:25 AM »
I'm planning on picking up my first handy pretty soon.  This forum has been a wealth of information, and i know if i have any problems, there should be answers!!
I think i've settled on the 7mm-08, even though i've heard mixed opinions on rimless cartridges. 

Has anyone had any problems with this particular cartridge?
Also, anyone found the absolute "best" place to buy? 

I'm also debating on adding a 45-70 to the arsenal a bit later, but i haven't decided if I want to BC or a handi.
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Offline petemi

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2008, 11:15:29 AM »
You can't go wrong with the 7mm-08, mine is just great.  I think the rimmed-rimless thing comes from ejectors.  All the new barrels are made with extractors, and I have never had a problem with any of mine.  My .30-06 ejector drives me nuts because it fails to eject every other time regardless of load or how clean it is. Don't debate on the .45-70, just get it.  IMHO, the Handi .45-70 is more versatile than the BC.  I'd go with a Handi first.  Also, the .45-70, in the Handi, is the cat's meow; it really works.  Try the Hornady Leverevolutions.  Good luck.

Pete
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Offline Troyboy

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2008, 11:17:59 AM »
Welcome
  My 7-08 works as advertised still working up the magic load. Gotta get you a 45-70 either a bc or a barrel for your 7-08 would be just peachy
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2008, 11:29:40 AM »
Locally is always the first choice, but I've bought H&Rs from Sportsman's Warehouse here in town, as well as online at www.rrarms.com, www.budsgunshop.com, www.thegunsource.com, and www.whittakerguns.com, all good to deal with.

I haven't shot my 7mm-08 much, with the 120gr TSX  I got a couple <½” 2 shot groups, but the 3rd always opened the groups to 1½”, need to work on the forend and load some more up and work with the forend.  ;) As Pete said, don't worry about the rimmed vs rimless issue, I have 34 H&R centerfire rifles, over half are rimless and most are ejectors which are by far the most popular overall for most hunters, but sticking cases is a moot issue in a clean, polished chamber until you get up to max loads with ejectors only, it's kind of a built in pressure sign, I've had sticking brass with my 405 Winchester with max loads, which is a rimmed case, so that aspect isn't relative to me, although as has been pointed out before, the rimless chamberings are generally higher pressure than rimmed.  ;)

Tim
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Offline Westbound

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2008, 11:53:28 AM »
After talking with a couple of friends, i think i might reverse my plans. 
I will probably pick up a .45-70 Handi, then add the 7mm barrel.   

It looks like the 45-70 is just too versatile to not get!

One of the friends also brought up the 7x57 as the "ultimate" 7mm cartidge.  I don't have a lot of experience with 7's but i've heard lots of good things...   Can a 7mm-08 barrel be reamed to the 7x57??
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2008, 11:58:58 AM »
I think from previous discussions, you can ream it to 7x57 Improved, but 7x57 likely won't clean up the old chamber.

Tim
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2008, 12:43:58 PM »
Unless you handload, the 7mm-08 is the better choice for you than the 7x57.  If you want more than that go with the 280 rem.  Both mine are good shooters and will take care of most I need to do.  All depends what you want to do with it.  Most of mine are ejectors and only had trouble with the 243.  Don't have as many as Tim, ( Not even sure Wal Mart has as many as he does ;D), but I think I have 17 now with 7 extra barrels and 8 are the extractor kind.  7mm-08 is a pussy cat to shoot, the 45-70 can be a lady, or she can be a pushy old broad if she's loaded up.  Doesn't really matter, I can tell you have been infected with the Handi fever so there will be more anyway. ;)  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Westbound

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2008, 01:09:38 PM »
I've done some internet looking and there are a few guys that state you can shoot 7x57 ammo in a AI chamber with very little loss of velocity and no noticable loss of accuracy.  Sounds like that would work in a pinch if I didn't have handloads when needed (not that I could imagine the need).

dpe.ahoy, I plan on loading for both, wether the 7 is a 7-08 or a 7x57.
I can't imagine having the 45-70 and being stuck with the anemic factory loads.  IMO, a big bullet is fun. a fast bullet is funner... but a big, fast bullet is about as fun as it can get!!!!!

(i say this now, never having fired a hot 45-70 load!!!)

P.S.  if anyone sees my wife log on here, you have never heard of me!!!   she might not like this possible addiction!!!
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2008, 01:15:11 PM »
I dunno about the velocity loss of shooting the 7x57 in an Improved chamber is, but I know I loose right at 300fps shooting the factory Rem 150gr 30-30 ammo in my 30-30 Improved Handi, that was a bit of a disappointment, would work in a pinch, but it certainly wouldn't be ideal. :-\

Tim
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Offline Westbound

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2008, 01:58:28 PM »
I would agree completely!

I suppose the trick is... don't get in that kind of pinch  :D

I kinda like the idea of the 7x57 AI.  I guess i would feel like it was a little more custom.
I'm also the type that would find a couple of good handloads, then build up several hundred rounds of each.   should keep me out of any pinch.
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Offline cbourbeau32

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2008, 02:05:58 PM »
Quote: I think i've settled on the 7mm-08, even though i've heard mixed opinions on rimless cartridges. 

My 7mm-08 is a very accurate rifle with my hand loads. I didn't shoot enough factory ammo to have an opinion on the factory but if you hand load I am confident you can have a very tight group in no time. Good luck. Charlie

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Offline Westbound

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Re: Planning on getting my first Handi.
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2008, 05:24:54 PM »
Well, as soon as the wife gets done with the Christmas shopping (assuming there's any cash left!!)  I''ll be getting a 45-70.
That will still give me time to figure out what to do on the 7mm!

Thanks to everyone for input and info!!!
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