H & R or Rossi 44 magnum or 45 colt

[Jacko]

Evening folks , just been pointed in the right direction [ twice - slow learner] after posting in the single shot rifle forum . I'm new to these forums and found them through researching whether or not to buy a Handi Rifle or a Rossi model 623 in either 44 magnum or 45 colt .

I have bowhunted for over 30 years with traditional bows and recently come back to firearm hunting , I  still like to get close ! . I use a side by side 12 guage , a no1 mark 3 SMLE and a .22 magnum . I am dead keen on a single shot big bore but have read so much conflicting information of the quality and accuracy of both the Handi rifle and the Pomba I am nearly ready to save another couple of hundred to buy a lever action instead

Down here in Australia we pay 3 or 4 times what you folks in the states pay for the same firearm , particully since the backside has fallen out of our dollar . My budget is a rubberry $600 for the rifle not including scope .

I am aware of the 45 colts potential with warm / hot handloads but do not plan on buying handloading gear straight away so am leaning toward the 44 magnun as more powerfull factory loads are freely available . I hunt pigs , goats , rabbits . There is an off chance of Red , Rusa or Fallow deer .

No holes barred, what pro's / cons can I look forward to in new production runs of either firearm . I like to mess with stuff I shouldn't like triggers , bedding etc .

regards Jacko

[Default]

Jacko ,

  Just my personal feeling on it ....  I own a 45 LC in a lever and have owned more then one 44 mag ... And i too hunt those awnry critters we call wild pigs here in the states .

  If you are not set up for reloading at this moment in time i would recommend the 44 ..
 
  Like you already stated the availablity of good power from factory ammo is already there for you , And should you at a later date decide to get into reloading the 44 is a straight forward cartridge to learn to do so with ..

  As for the H&R/NEF rifle versus the Rossi ... and im guessing the Pomba is a refference to thier lever action known here in the states as the Puma ... I would say thats a purely personal preference type choice brother ... Like i mentioned i have the H&R singles, and I like them just fine .. And i own lever action rifles as well and they are great ... I would say HOW you like to hunt those pigs is the most key thing to answer your question right..

  If you hunt from a stand or a box blind then the single shot will serve you well ... Now if you are like me and like to get into the thick stuff with these beasts then you may be better off with a lever , Giving that you can quickly rechamber and fire in a hurry ..
  Now if the Pomba is the single shot Rossi like they have here in the states then i would say stay with the H&R just for the extra accessories etc. that are available for it ..
  And as far as accuracy goes the new H&Rs have changed their bore diameter and that has seemed to fix alot of the accuracy issues that that caliber once had, For the 44 that is.
  I for one have never had bad or horrible accuracy out of these H&R rifles .. And have only owned one Rossi single though my brothers wife has one too .. And accuracy hasnt been an issuse with either
   
    Sure do hope this helps you out a little Jacko,

      Default

      And by the way , Welcome to the forums

[Cat Whisperer]

I have the '94 Winchester Trapper in .44mag and another in .45Colt.
I have the handi in .44mag, .444 and .45-70. 

I USE the .44mag handi the most.

YMMV.

[Rustyinfla]

 Jacko,
   Another thing you might consider even though you didn't list it as one of your options, if you're considering a levergun. There are basically two leverguns. A Winchester type with an open top frame and a Marlin with a solid top frame. With these two, the Marlin is drilled and tapped for a scope on top right out of the box. If you might be putting a scope on the levergun you might look at the Marlin as well.

   Happy trails and God Bless,
     Rusty <><

[Badnews Bob]

For non reloader I'd go with the .44, and if it make a big diffrence down there the .44 handie is alot cheaper than the .45 carbine. I don't know if Rossi makes a single shot .45, I much prefer the fit and finish of the handie rifles compared to the Rossi I can't compare accuracy as I don't own a rossi to compare. I do know that to me the rossi just don't feel right when I shoulder one, Handie rifles do.

I have a .44 NEF and it a sweet rifle.

[petemi]

Here I go again   Go with a Handi .45-70  It does evrything........very well.  Easy to reload, will take anything in your country, including buffalo.

[Jacko]

Thanks for the reply's fella's , more food for thought , I'm a painfull info junkie so keep your experience coming thaks

Default , the Pomba is the single shot model . I have had a Brazilian 12 guage  , a Boito for nearly 20 years , top hunting rig , works well on the clays and still tight after thousands of rounds . Brazilian manufacturers are getting a good reputation for reliable robust firearms this is one reason I am looking at the Rossi . A plus is they are all steel - I note the Handi rifle has a plastic trigger guard , I am hard on gear and can see I would break that . I am guessing that accesories are not quite in Rossi's plan with these Pomba's and was pleasently surprised to see such a myriad of accesories available for the Handi rifle so perhaps I could track down a metal trigger guard  . I am not the type to leave well enough alone and thank you for pointing out this option , over time it could get expensive!

Rusty I have looked around and decided if I do not end up with a single shot it will likely be the Puma as they have a good wrap and can be mounted with a scope .

petemi agree with you , I would love a 45 .70 , was in fact going to get one until I enquired about the cost of ammo - $2.50 to $3.00 every time I pull the trigger and just for now I am not set up to reload , I can shoot factory .44 magnums for 80 cents a round in the meanwhile and have a cheaper option of the .44 special if things get tight for putting holes in paper or small game , could not reload a 45.70 for that but boy I love the big boom and don't they mess up pigs .

Cat whisperer , Just for interests sake what kind of belt does the 45.70 and .444 give your shoulder in such a compact rifle . Would you compare the .44 magnum to say a .243 in recoil . I think I will be getting the .44 magnum now with reading so many folks using it as their go to gun .

regards Jacko

[quickdtoo]

Here's a little info on the Pomba for those with inquiring minds!!

Tim

http://www.ampro.co.nz/products/rossi/rossi.htm#pomba-rifles

[norman]

Here's a little info on the Pomba for those with inquiring minds!!

Tim

http://www.ampro.co.nz/products/rossi/rossi.htm#pomba-rifles

Just went to their site and saw they have a NEW cartridge there....the 7.62x39 SPRG.   WOW! Must be only available in NZ? 

[cwlongshot]

Simple answer for me. Limiting my self to your posted criteria.

For the re-loader HANDS DOWN the 45 COLT.

For the NON re-loader, the 44 Mag.

The Rossi doesn't impress me, the Handi does. Nuff said. 

CW

[1911bmw]

H&R .44 mag.

[Troyboy]

Handi 44 mag

[dpe.ahoy]

I have Handi's and levers in 44 mag and 45 colt.  For the non-reloader, CW is spot on with the 44 mag being top choice.  Soon as you start reloading then 45 colt is better IMHO.  The 44 gives a good sharp rap to the shoulder, but with the factory recoil pad it's really not bad at all.  Pete is right, 45-70 is a classic but at $3.00 a pop I understand what you mean.  I have never dealt with or shoot a Rossi single shot, but own 3 of the Pumas, 357, 44 and 454 casull and all shoot very well.  Stay cool during Christmas.  DP

[Jacko]

Thanks for the reply's everyone , have made up my mind . Wandered into the local gun shop before work today nothin on the shelf I wanted and the fella filled me in how Remington have taken over distributorship , no new manufacture Handi Rifles in the country until late January should be on the shelves early february and will retail for about $580 . I cry when I look at the US price , and our economy is still showing positive growth - go figure !

Was hoping for a better price but a 44 magnum Handi will do me for now . A Rossi Puma will be near a grand for the stainless Puma , over $800 for the blued , to expensive for me . Will just have to place that first bullet right .

Will no doubt bother you all again , have a safe Christmas - enjoy the winter . It should top 35 celcius and 80% humidity Christmas day for us , top it off with a thunder storm an a few glasses of Port - perfect .

regards Jacko