Author Topic: rossi rifles? (Read 5117 times)

born-to-hunt · « **on:** May 29, 2010, 06:01:30 PM »

I am wanting a single shot .223 and I dont have a lot of money I also want to save as much money as I can to get a nice scope on there too. At first I wanted a NEF handi rifle I think it is better but it seems pretty expensive for a single shot compared to a rossi single shot which I found for $150. I have a few questions 1st can I switch barrels like I could with a handi rifle like if I get a .223 and I want a .308 barrel do I have to buy a whole new gun or can I just get a .308 rossi barrel an replace the .223 with the .308? 2nd how accurate are these rifles I would like something as accurate as possible. 3rd I am young so I want something that will last for years if I want it for that long. 4th (and last) what is the twist on these in .223?

Thank you a lot sorry about asking so many questions I like to know what i'm getting before I buy.

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2010, 06:34:33 PM »

No switching barrels. Maybe a gunsmith could do it for you. I know Rossi doesn't. The new Wizzards have interchangeable barrels, but I'm not sure if you can buy one yet. Probably will be more expensive than what you can find out there now. In my opinion, Rossi's are well built. But remember, it's a break-open gun. That set-up is inherently weak. But if you shoot less than max loads - no problem. I've heard that the .223 is pretty accurate. I personally have a .243 in the youth stock and it's not very accurate. I think the full sized gun is better. Not sure what the twist is for the .223.

Hope this helps,

Steve

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2010, 04:56:44 AM »

Thank you I dont eally need to switch barrels that much because I can probably get a new rfle for the price I can get a barrel for a handi rifle. I want to shoot out a maybe 400yds or so accuratly should this be a problem fo the rossi?

pondenck · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2010, 05:12:09 AM »

Hi i would save my money and buy a nef.as you can fit a new cal without a lot of money. as i see a lot of 308 barrels on gbo for sale hope this helps Jim

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2010, 01:55:35 PM »

Yea, looking for accuracy from a Rossi at 400 yards is asking a lot. I'd look for something with a sub-moa track record. You could probably get it eventually with a Rossi, but it would take a lot working up your loads. You'd probably spend more on ammunition than you would spend on getting a good bolt action Remington, Weatherby, etc. in the first place.

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2010, 03:18:37 PM »

Quote from: SteveHawaii on May 29, 2010, 06:34:33 PM

But remember, it's a break-open gun. That set-up is inherently weak.

Steve, for your information, the break-open action in a Handi is classed ahead of the Marlin lever-guns and right up there with the Rugers 1 and 3. It is a rifle Buffalo Bore will sell ammo for. The break open is a strong action on the proper frame. It is not at all weak.,,,,I haven't a clue where you got that idea. A Handi .500S&W can handle 60kpsi. I can't vouch for the Rossi.

Check out this link, it's all about inherently weak single shot Handi Rifles.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,206882.0.html

Pete

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2010, 04:42:56 PM »

My NEF pardner 20ga single shot is built strong as... something really strong. I am gonna save up and buy a handi rifle because I thought about it a lot and figured trying to save a few bucks getting a rossi is going to cost more or maybe the same as the handi because I also want a muzzleloader before next september and I can get a muzzleloader barrel and put on the handi for less than getting a whole muzzleloader and a rossi. I dont mind having to sight it in again because by the time september comes I am gonna be more into hunting deer than groundhogs so I can sight in the muzzleloader by deer season and groundhog around spring when groundhog is more prime for pickin.

Thanx guys

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2010, 04:51:37 PM »

Go above to the Handi and H&R Muzzleloader forums and you'll find all the information you're looking for.

Pete

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2010, 04:53:02 PM »

ok thanx

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2010, 09:02:11 PM »

Quote from: petemi on May 31, 2010, 03:18:37 PM

Quote from: SteveHawaii on May 29, 2010, 06:34:33 PM
But remember, it's a break-open gun. That set-up is inherently weak.

Steve, for your information, the break-open action in a Handi is classed ahead of the Marlin lever-guns and right up there with the Rugers 1 and 3. It is a rifle Buffalo Bore will sell ammo for. The break open is a strong action on the proper frame. It is not at all weak.,,,,I haven't a clue where you got that idea. A Handi .500S&W can handle 60kpsi. I can't vouch for the Rossi.

Check out this link, it's all about inherently weak single shot Handi Rifles.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,206882.0.html

Pete

Sorry, I didn't think I was making a controversial statement. Here's something from Wikipedia that supports my position.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Break-action

I know that my personal experience has been that a bolt action is much stronger than a break open. Haven't done much research on it though. Your link to the .500 S&W is certainly impressive. Thanks for the feedback.

Steve

kjeff50cal · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2010, 12:29:12 PM »

Quote

Sorry, I didn't think I was making a controversial statement. Here's something from Wikipedia that supports my position.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Break-action

Wikipedia is written and edited by anyone with a keyboard and mouse. And if it is not common general knowledge or a glaring mistake could be taken for truth. In other words consider the source.

xit · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2010, 04:17:35 PM »

The article seems pretty accurate. It states H&R can handle medium to high pressures. Said it is built very heavy. Go with an H&R. They are a very fun firearm. In a .223 it should be awesome.

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2010, 04:38:28 PM »

Quote from: xit on June 10, 2010, 04:17:35 PM

The article seems pretty accurate. It states H&R can handle medium to high pressures. Said it is built very heavy. Go with an H&R. They are a very fun firearm. In a .223 it should be awesome.

I think I am becaues I am abut broke (like everyone else) and a single shot isn't very ammo hungry so it should be fun and not cost me a bunch to shoot.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2010, 04:40:42 AM »

Not to be a wet blanket but my own experience with H&R has not been very good. I've tried several of them and never got one with which I was satisfied. I tried the "accuracy tips" from the handi forum, tried a wide variety of handloads and finally just gave up on handi rifles. They may be an OK beater truck gun for someone who is happy with 3+ moa but not for me. I spent a couple of months trying to get acceptable accuracy from a .357 Maximum handi and after one frustrating range session I picked up my old M-70 Winchester and thought "what a pleasure to handle a real rifle again". Life is too short to wast time being frustrated and disappointed. For the kind of accuracy "born-to-hunt" is seeking I would certainly start with a bolt action. The new Marlin bolt gun is about the cheapest rifle from which I would have hopes of achieving sub moa accuracy.
I know several handi defenders will weigh in now with claims of one hole groups from their handi rifle but all I can say is that I, myself, have not seen any such results and will not be tempted to throw away more money on handi rifles.

trotterlg · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2010, 07:35:53 AM »

I agree here, if you want a out of the box shooter buy a bolt gun. The H&R's have the exact set of issues that Rossi has, the guns are extremely simular, I think some of the internal parts may fit each other they are so much the same. The fit and finish on the H&R is better, but I think the function is mostly the same. A Savage Edge in .223 can be had for the same price as a H&R and has a much much better chance of shooting MOA out of the box and I would give 5 to one odds it would be better at 400 yards. I do lots of work on H&R's, they are a fun hobby, but if you want a for sure shooter buy a bolt gun. Larry

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2010, 08:52:09 AM »

I know this isn't related to the post but has anyone used a remington 770? they look a lot like the 700 but are 1/2 or even 1/3 the price I have seen remington 700s up to $1200

and 770s at $300 if they work good I think one of those in .243 would be great.

fish7x57 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 14, 2010, 04:10:04 PM »

[quote author=petemi

Steve, for your information, the break-open action in a Handi is classed ahead of the Marlin lever-guns and right up there with the Rugers 1 and 3. It is a rifle Buffalo Bore will sell ammo for.

Check out this link, it's all about inherently weak single shot Handi Rifles.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,206882.0.html

Pete

[/quote]

What kind of pressures are the 450 and 500 NE generating? What kind of pressure would say a .308 or 30-06 generate? Saying they are strong because they can send huge chunks of lead down range at a low to moderate velocity is a bit misleading. I wouldn't consider them anywhere near the strength ballpark of a fallingblock action. I wouldn't even have them all that close to a solid bolt action.

mechanic · « **Reply #17 on:** June 14, 2010, 04:55:21 PM »

You are talking to 400 yds.

If you get a Rossi to shoot 2" at 100 yds, remember that is 4" at 200.......8" @ 400. You need a moa gun to shoot that far.....Thats asking a lot from a Rossi, but maybe they've got it in them!

petemi · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2010, 10:18:31 AM »

Fish, you better do some research on what you are saying.

Pete

coyotejoe · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2010, 12:59:56 PM »

And just where is your research Petemi? The link you submitted is no indication of anything at all. That fellow was planing to rebarrel a handi to a wildcat cartridge specifically because it would permit lower pressure than standard cartridges of similar caliber and ballistics. It is my impression that handi's may be marginally OK for cartridges of the '06 class but I wouldn't push handloads. I seem to recall H&R announced or leaked that they were planing to chamber some belted magnums but that never materialized due to difficulties encounter and I know they had some problems with at least the early rifles in .500 S&W. I for one, would certainly not care to experience a blow primer with a handi rifle of any caliber at all.
Handi-rifles are what they are, a cheap rifle which more or less works most of the time and I am very grateful that we have that option, but they are far from being an outstanding example of the singleshot rifle, much less of centerfire rifles in general.

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2010, 01:15:18 PM »

the only issues I have heard are 500 S&W blowing open when shot

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2010, 06:38:30 PM »

500 S&W generates 60kPSI, that ain't low pressure.

My Handi's all shoot quite well, but I really only feed them my own loads and none of them have fired more than a box or so of factory ammo. The only one I wouldn't call a dead on shooter is the 44 mag, and I really haven't given it a lot of love and attention.

Anybody who wants to shoot 400 yards with consistency better not be planning on getting ammo off the shelf at Walmart.

That being said my local Walmart has a .223 Handi with scope (no idea the quality of the scope but at least you'd have rail and rings) for $255. I'd recommend it to the OP and have hime spend some time on the HAndi Forum. We'd love to help him out.

fish7x57 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2010, 06:55:05 PM »

Quote from: petemi on June 21, 2010, 10:18:31 AM

Fish, you better do some research on what you are saying.

Pete

If you can find a Handi in 7x57 we could do a little "test" against my #1. Might be best to have an independent handloader and draw rounds. Lunch is one me. I'll bring the string.

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2010, 07:02:01 PM »

Pretty sure Pete was referring to your comments about the strength of the Handi action.

And I think I had heard that the reason the Handi Belted Magnums never happened was due to lack of dealer pre-orders, not technical problems with the action strength.

fish7x57 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2010, 06:51:06 PM »

Kevin, sorry if I wasn't clear but I wasn't suggesting an accuracy test. You know what the string is for, right?

Spanky · « **Reply #25 on:** June 23, 2010, 04:59:43 PM »

Quote from: fish7x57 on June 22, 2010, 06:51:06 PM

Kevin, sorry if I wasn't clear but I wasn't suggesting an accuracy test. You know what the string is for, right?

The string is the thing that goes on a bow right?

Spanky

poncaguy · « **Reply #26 on:** July 03, 2010, 05:07:28 PM »

I have a BB223 Rossi, shoots 1 1/4...........my new Edge 223, 3 shots covered by a dime at 100 yards, it was $300 OTD.........just got another in 7-08, My fluted barrel Handi's, 223 and 204 shoot under an inch. Wanting a Wizard in 30-06...........not sure why.hahaha

coop2564 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2010, 11:07:54 AM »

If I were you I'd save up for a solid rem 700 just 200 dollars more. I've had 2 handi's and just not satisfied at all with their accurcy I spent well over the $200 on shells just tying to make them shoot. I did get my .308 to shoot OK but only after months of work and aggravation! If your dead set on a single shot as cheap as you can look for a KP1 knight I have the .243 had to have the trigger fixed but it shoots. I know many have handi's that shoot but I was 0-2 and it left a bad taste in my mouth!

petemi · « **Reply #28 on:** July 28, 2010, 11:08:24 AM »

I have only 15 Handi Rifles now. I guess it's because I don't like them. If you doubt the accuracy of the Handi, go up to the NEF Centerfire forum and view some of Tim's (quickdtoo) targets. Mime are the same, but I'm not a photo addict. Sorry about the mis-information above, it's now coming on 16. I've got a .38-55 barrel coming from Tim and of course I'll need a stock and frame for it....plus brass, dies and bullets. The phobia doesn't go away. Get a good Handi in your fists, and you're done for. Believe me.

Pete

Texbguy · « **Reply #29 on:** August 02, 2010, 04:50:37 AM »

I guess it all depends what you are looking for. To my untrained eye, I think the H & R /NEF seem to be put together better than a Rossi. Maybe thats the reason for the price difference. And something i learned long ago. The cheapest price isn't always the best deal. That being said I recently bought an H & R