243 - NEF vs. Rossi

[GunRookie]

I'm thinking about getting a gun for my son for next year.  Academy has Rossi combos (with scope) for 199.  The NEF equivalent is about 50 bucks more.  What's the difference in quality of the two?

[S.E.Ak]

You may get more answers on the H&R forum. The H&R frames are tested to 70,000 psi that puts them in Ruger load strenght.You can also get all the extra caliber barrel you may want with the H&R.

[DaGris]

I actually have both in .243

the NEF Handi Rifle is a much better rifle....but the Rossi, will kill a deer

I bought my wife a Rossi youth model with a scope at Academy a few yeas back for $200...mainly because I knew she wouldnt be hunting no more that 2-3 times a year and didnt want to spend allot...also I knew if the deer was more than 75 yards, she wont pull the trigger so I wasnt worried about a long range shot

[S.S.]

NEF appears to be a much higher quality firearm.

[ourway77]

Either will work, H&R is my selection. If you reload then any will do as you can load down especially for a young one. No need for a fire burner to kill deer. Lou

[coop2564]

I bought a .243 NEF for my son and just not happy with its accuracy using deer size loads 3-4" groups are the best I can get using 85gr bullets and up. If i use 55 gr varmint bullets it does about 1.5 " groups. I've sent the gun back to factory 3 times and all three times they send it back showing a shrunk target were they say they are getting under 2" groups using 80gr win sp I too get about that more like 2.5" with that load. My son did kill two deer with it but no pass thrus and one was very hard to fine no blood. These guns are so touchy to shoot and most have to be held and rested at same spot each time. IMHO there are not good guns for youngsters or anyone not wanting to have to tinker with them to get them to shoot. Save yourself some aggravation and get a 700 bolt or similar gun for him and you both will be happy for a long time my son was begging for a bolt gun 2yrs after a got the single. By the way I spent hundreds of dollars on ammo trying to find something it would shoot accurate that money would have covered the extra cost of the bolt in the 1st place. That was 10yrs ago and he is still happy with his 700. I bought a huntsman barrel for the 243 and it made a fine ML'er very accurate. I know some get great shooters out of box but mine was not nor anything I tried to accurize it worked.

[ihookem]

My son has a H&R 243 super light and it doesn't shoot good at all. I would not trust it past 50 yds and at 50 yds. I can only get 5" groups.

[Daman]

I have had both. I had a Rossi 243 that would not shoot even an 8" group. I had a H&R 243 compact with the rifle sights and it was a 1" grouper at 50 yards. I have since sold both. I recently bought the H&R 7mm-08 and it does not kick any worse than the 243's did.

The bad being said about Rossi, I have a 223 that will hit a dime 5 out of 5 times at a 100 yards.

I guess you can get good and bad in any make or model

Daman