Author Topic: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?  (Read 2496 times)

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Offline Poopers

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Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« on: April 29, 2010, 06:44:51 PM »
The local shop tells me they can get me a Ultra Varmint Fluted .204 ( the skeleton stock one ) for $359. Is this a reasonable price? I live in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere so choices are limited.

Also. Are these generally sub moa guns if the shooter does their part with factory HORNADY and/or handloads?
I would expect a bull barreled gun that is labeled as a "varmint rifle" to have be MOA
I read conflicting reports on accuracy... But I cant afford the Savage I want right now :-(

Ahh I had another question but cant remember it right now.

Thanks guys

Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2010, 11:43:14 PM »
Save up your money and go with a bolt gun. :)



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Offline bobg

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2010, 03:32:22 AM »
   I agree with Spanky. Buy a bolt gun. I bought a Savage. I believe it is a 112F. Off the bench at 100 yds. It will shoot 5 shots well under an inch. This is with factory Winchester 32 grain ammo.

Offline mrbgt

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2010, 04:17:58 AM »
thats not a bad price , you could probably get a stevens 200 a little cheaper , however they dont make it in .204 .

Offline dave29

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2010, 08:59:23 AM »
That's way too much. Bud's has them for $275 shipped.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/262/products_id/60905

Offline Poopers

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2010, 09:18:33 AM »
I saw that site dave and thought the same thing BUT Im pretty sure the gun listed is the thumbhole synthetic stock. ( going by model number )

I sure wish they had a picture

Offline OR-E-Gun Bill

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2010, 10:29:29 AM »
I thought he was talking about this one...




http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/14135


Bill

Offline dave29

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2010, 11:47:24 AM »
I thought he was talking about this one...




http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/14135


Bill


Yep, you're right. The gun  I quoted does not have a fluted barrel.

Offline cowboyup453

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2010, 11:52:30 AM »
I just got that model  in 223 at Sportsmans Warehouse for $277 OTD. They had them on clearance tough. Regular price is $319. ;)

Offline spikehorn

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2010, 01:49:40 PM »
For that price you can get a stevens 200. I have a 223 and a 308 both shoot sub MOA. They don't have the accu trigger, but there are easy instruction on line to lighten up trigger pull. 
308 win                 45-70                       12ga         
30-30                    223 stainless steel   20ga TDC
44 mag                  Tracker II 20ga        20ga
45-70 Manlicher     20ga USH                28ga
                                                              410ga

Offline Poopers

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2010, 06:45:52 PM »
I love Stevens and have a 270 model 200. However for some odd reason they dont offer .204

Offline possum6

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2010, 07:03:05 PM »
I love Stevens and have a 270 model 200. However for some odd reason they dont offer .204
You can get a Savage .204 barrel for $80, change your bolt head to .378, you've got a Stevens 204 tack-driver, with not a lot of money involved
I believe everything that happen's, or will happen,was created, or created in the future, GOD knew and created from the very beginning of the foundation of the universe.       Dale

Offline Mac11700

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2010, 11:13:58 AM »
Wow..no love for the 204 fluted Varmint Handy rifle on the Handi forum...strange  ???

$359 is a little high,but your dealing with a Mom & Pop brick & mortar store store too and in 99% will have to pay your local sales taxes on top of that as well. The others are a not a Internet direct company,and don't have the overhead a regular local store has.. If you have a small dealer that accepts rifles from these types of on-line dealers then you can save quite a bit by going that way and having it shipped to them and then just pay their FFL fee..some charge a little..some don't.You just need to research it for your area.

I for 1 don't like Savage Rifles..nor do I like the cheaper Steven's either..Never have.never will and I've owned quite a few of them too.This is personal preference but the way I feel. If you want a Handy Rifle..then get a Handy rifle. If you want a bolt gun then get one of those..

Mac
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Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2010, 05:01:22 PM »
Why no love for the Savage/Stevens Mac? My 22-250 Stevens shoots really well and I got it for alot less than the $359 they are asking for the Handi.



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Offline Ron 1

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2010, 07:14:27 AM »
this might not be fair but the blued .204 h&r 24in fluted bull barrel gun that i bought (ultra varmint)  is now at H&R for barrel replacement. they are standing behind there product. no costs to me.
it would only stoot 1 grain bullet good the rest of the liter grain 32-40 would tumble  and the 45 s are back ordered and have been sence jan.of 2010
mine new in box was $379+tax  all tho it is a dream to carry the way the stock is designed. if it shoots good when it comes back i will be tickled with the gun. all brands can have a bad barrel from time to time.
  best wishes in your choise.   
                     rw
A man with a briefcase can steal millions more than any man with a gun. - Don Henley

Offline Swift One

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #15 on: May 02, 2010, 08:19:59 AM »
I have both a handi and a Stevens. The Handi is in 223 and the Stevens is in 7mm-08.  If you don't mind to possible have to tinker around with the weapon to get it to perform, go with the Handi.  The plus about a Handi is that you can get other barrels.  If you want something that shoots GREAT right out of the box, go with the Stevens.  Just about every buttlet that I have relaoded for that 7mm-08 has shot well with just a few times playing with the Powder. Unfortunatley though, they dont make a Stevens in 204.

I dont know why some folks dont like Savage or Stevens Rifles.  They are just good stock guns,  And the aftermarket parts are plentiful.....

BTW, I would not pay that price for a Handi.
It's all a hot mess...........

Offline gcrank1

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2010, 09:08:42 AM »
Id rather not be a 'glass is half full' guy, but........I suspect we will be seeing price increases, likely across the board with all brands until they price themselves out of market share and discount (not unlike the auto industry). When you see a good deal, better snag it, in a year or two we could be shocked (not unlike the primer pricing now).
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Offline Fred M

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2010, 10:54:17 AM »
The fluted barrels serve no practical purpose on a Handi. This is strictly window dressing. Get one with a heavy barrel and no flutes. Why pay money for nothing. Yes I know all about the hype. Fluting reduces weight so does a thinner barrel.
Better cooling, that is a joke too. More regidity by removing metal, that is even a bigger joke.
Fred M.
From Alberta Canada.

Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #18 on: May 02, 2010, 11:04:08 AM »
When the price of a Handi is higher than a Stevens it becomes a no brainer... get the Stevens. I have done absolutely no modifications to my Stevens 22-250 and even with a heavy trigger it will shoot an honest 1/2 to 3/4" group with Winchester 45gr. ammo.
You don't have to hold your head a certain way or place the gun on the bag a certain way or hope the moon is aligned with Mars or any of the other Handi "stuff"... you put the crosshairs on the bullseye, pull the trigger and a hole appears in it... simple as that.
I like my Handi's as much as anyone but when they cost more than a bolt gun it's time to switch. :)



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Offline wreckhog

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #19 on: May 02, 2010, 11:43:37 AM »
A Stevens 200 exudes cheapness. I was at Academy the other day. Sorely tempted to purchase a 7-08 Stevens for $229. They are in boxes marked black and actually have tan stocks. Academy was slowly blowing them out. The other option with a scoped Handi in the same caliber with a wood stock for $279. Even with pallet wood, it looked 100x better. Probably a worse shooter though. Ultimately, I decided just to wait until a 700 comes along. When it does it will probably be $325-$350, and look a lot better than either of those other choices.

Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #20 on: May 02, 2010, 01:04:15 PM »
The Stevens rifles are what the Handi's used to be... cheap, dependable, basic rifles that most anyone can afford. The fact that they shoot great is a bonus. ;D
I'm thinking about selling off some of my Handi stuff to get a Savage in 17HMR. I hear they are great shooters.


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Offline 243shooter

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #21 on: May 02, 2010, 01:50:03 PM »
When the price of a Handi is higher than a Stevens it becomes a no brainer... get the Stevens. I have done absolutely no modifications to my Stevens 22-250 and even with a heavy trigger it will shoot an honest 1/2 to 3/4" group with Winchester 45gr. ammo.
You don't have to hold your head a certain way or place the gun on the bag a certain way or hope the moon is aligned with Mars or any of the other Handi "stuff"... you put the crosshairs on the bullseye, pull the trigger and a hole appears in it... simple as that.
I like my Handi's as much as anyone but when they cost more than a bolt gun it's time to switch. :)



Spanky
i had a fluted ultra varmit in 243 i loved everything about it, except the way it shot. on the right day with the right ammo on the right rest if you said a prayer and your socks matched it would shoot under an inch at 100 yds. next time i'd go to the range with the same gun and the same ammo and the same rest i'd be lucky to shoot a 2 inch group. i tried many of the tips on this forum, two different scopes, and with all the money i spent on ammo, wondering what i was doing wrong, i could have bought another rifle. the story has a happy ending though, i traded it in on a new savage edge in 243. i love it. i sighted it in today and shot a 3/8 inch group at 100 yds with 80 grn win silver box, letting the barrel cool a little between shots, but even with a warm barrel groups only opened up to about an inch. it shot all three kinds of ammo i tried today very well with a clean or dirty barrel. i didn't have to shim anything, carve on anything, or even wear matching socks. all for under $300, less than what i paid for the h&r. sorry if i sound bitter, but the fluted ultra varmit left a bad taste in my mouth. it looked cool and the stock was really nice, but that doesn't mean much. i took the savage out of the box, put a scope and a bipod on it and i'm ready to go. the only good that came out of the h&r and its problems is that it lead me to this great web sight.
I'm just a bitter Christian clinging to my gun.

Offline Mac11700

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #22 on: May 02, 2010, 02:04:18 PM »
Spanky..

Look at this in a different light for a minute..

Some one new to GBO and the Handi rifles ask you why should they spend $359.00 for a complete H&R rifle and you tell them to go get a bolt gun? What's wrong with this picture ?

The OP also asked a very similar question back in February..http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,200149.msg1099031280.html#msg1099031280

Now..while I am a fan of certain bolt guns,I am not going to recommend a person to go buy one over a Handi on the Handi forum..unless it just happens to be a problematic caliber..and the 204's aren't that bad. Sure some can be,but many aren't.

Mac
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Offline 243shooter

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #23 on: May 02, 2010, 02:27:00 PM »
in my opinion, it comes down to the cost. why spend more money on a handi and all it's potential quirks when you could spend less money on a bolt action, that more than likely will shoot good right out of the box? if you could buy a shiloh sharps for $300 why would anybody buy a buffalo classic? i like the buffalo classic, but if i could get a sharps for less money, it's a no brainer. i feel the same way about a bolt action.
I'm just a bitter Christian clinging to my gun.

Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #24 on: May 02, 2010, 03:40:20 PM »
Nice shootin' 243shooter... that's how my 22-250 shoots too. Great guns for the money.



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Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #25 on: May 02, 2010, 03:51:08 PM »
Mac... I wasn't trying to ruffle any feathers... he asked if he should pay $359 for the Ultra Varmint 204. I guess I should have just told him he could get more for less if he went with another brand. :-\
Don't get me wrong... I love the Handi's but I wouldn't pay $359 to get one.



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Offline Mac11700

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #26 on: May 02, 2010, 05:09:53 PM »
i my opinion, it comes down to the cost. why spend more money on a handi and all it's potential quirks when you could spend less money on a bolt action, that more than likely will shoot good right out of the box? if you could buy a shiloh sharps for $300 why would anybody buy a buffalo classic? i like the buffalo classic, but if i could get a sharps for less money, it's a no brainer. i feel the same way about a bolt action.

Hate to tell you this,but I can introduce to to about 5 or 6 guys that have had terrible luck with Stevens rifles. Would that cause me never to buy 1,of course not,I have my own reasons namely because I just don't like the way they feel and if I were going to buy a bolt gun it would most likely be a Model 700 or a Winchester model 70...but it goes to show you that there can be issues with any make of rifle.

You asked if I could buy a Sharps for $300 would I buy a Handi Rifle.Yes,if that was the going price for that ungainly overweight single shot 45-70 that the Sharps actually is because I can get a switch barrel platform that balances better,gives me a much wider range of calibers,is easier to work on and get parts easier and cheaper for in a Handi than I can for the Sharps.

This is what I choose and why. I like what I can do with a Handi and the ease I can do it. Are bolt guns more accurate..some are,but there isn't many that I can switch calibers on from a long action to a short action as easy..can you name any ?

There isn't 1 bolt action that will actually give you 100% accuracy guarantee out of the box..none will unless you spend a whole boat load of money on them. I've been shooting rifles for 50 years+ and I can tell you this is a fact. Do you stand a good chance on getting a tack driver with any bolt rifle..NOPE..you will have the same Luck of the Draw as a person buying a Handi-Rifle. Out of the 30+ Handi's I have owned and shot so far...I have had 27 of them give sub-MOA groups. Of that I have had 10 give that right out of the box with factory ammunition.The other 17 I have either had to do hand load to get sub moa groups,or done some minor bedding jobs to achieve this. I've owed several I never fired and traded off or sold outright,so I can't speak on how accurate they were. So I would say IMHO..that is a pretty damn good track record.That doesn't mean I am turned off by bolt guns,no not at all..I love a good bolt gun,always have,but  they don't feel as good to me as what my Handi rifle does for the cost.Same for all of the Ruger #1's and #3's I've owned in my life.All of them were built like a tank and could shoot really good,but several of them were just 1-1/2" grouping rifles at their best.My CVA Optima Elite were great rifles,but I don't own any of them anymore either..

See..I learned a long time ago what it takes to have a tack driving Handi,and since I like how they feel to me,I'll recommend them to to any one who wants a good dependable break action switch caliber rifle.

Spanky

If a person wants a dedicated rifle and isn't interested in changing calibers,by switching barrels,then I have no qualms about recommending many of the other fine rifles that is on the market.Same if a person is wanting a Magnum caliber..These Handi's can be just as accurate as many bolt guns in capable hands my friend..This isn't just bragging..but just the facts.BTW...more for less is just a matter of perspective. Especially when one factors all of the benefits(cost of ownership.ease of caliber changing,availability of parts,cost of parts total caliber choices) of a Handi against a Stevens..When done objectively,then the better value is still the Handi-Rifle.

I just get a little agitated when folks arbitrarily try to get folks to buy a different platform without actually helping the OP out. The price he quoted was high,but there are places that sell the rifle cheaper,and you know it.If you had followed the link to his first post,you could see what he wanted to use it for.Even then he was questioning the cost of these against a Stevens..so I think he either has never had one before or didn't really know of it's capabilities.Being a switch barrel appeals to some,but not others..that is for sure,but in the grand scheme of things, it does add to the cost,and is one of the best advantages going for it.

Mac
You can cry me a river... but...build me a bridge and then get over it...

Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #27 on: May 02, 2010, 06:26:35 PM »
Point taken Mac. ;D



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Offline Poopers

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #28 on: May 02, 2010, 07:06:41 PM »
Ok fellas'. Thanks for ALL the replies. In my area I have no way of even seeing one in person let alone talking to someone that has had one. The Ace Hardware guy that quoted me tells me "its break action, the most accurate a gun can get". While I know in "theory" that a break action should be the most accurate.. I also know this isnt always the case. Im still fairly conflicted but I will likely shy away from a Handi. What I gather from all of you is what I gathered from my hours of google searching. Some people claim they are tack drivers, others get 1inch groups at best. I really dont want to spend nearly $400 on a single shot with that kind of record. Thanks again! I'll probably go for a Savage 25 or 12. I'll just have to wait an extra month for the $600!

Offline Spanky

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Re: Should I pay $359 for a Ultra Varmint Fluted 204?
« Reply #29 on: May 02, 2010, 07:20:15 PM »
That's the first time I've ever heard of anyone saying that break actions are the most accurate.
Either one of the Savage's you mentioned would serve you well.



Spanky