Author Topic: New to the forum from Indiana (Read 971 times)

willy7586 · « **on:** May 28, 2011, 04:04:20 AM »

I am new to the world of the Handi rifle and this forum. I have been doing some searching and trying to learn everything I can here on the forum. I just purchased a new Handi rifle in 44mag. it has an 18.75 inch barrel and wood stocks. I plan to deer hunt with it here in Indiana.
I like the infinity camo synthetic stocks in some of the pics. I have googled them but can’t seem to find them. Who sells them?
Is there any "pointers" I need to know about the 44mag. Handi rifle? I do not reload.
Thanks in advance, Tim.

Tom Threetoes · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2011, 04:33:58 AM »

Welcome from a fellow hoosier. You've come to the right place, just read the FAQs. Almost everything you need to Know is in there. Good luck next deer season, Tom

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2011, 04:46:48 AM »

I think the Infinity stocks are fairly new. I just started hearing about them lately. Check the FAQS at the top of the page and also look in the classifieds. I think a couple of those stocks just sold lately. I think I read the Infinities are a bit shorter. They also make the regular camo syn. Most Handis seem to shoot the Winchester white box 240 gr s.p. from Walmart pretty good. My buds son has shot a couple deer DRT with them.

Where abouts in IN are you? There is an IN forum down the main page a ways. Stop in and say Hi. Bet you'll like that 44. Good Luck.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2011, 04:48:43 AM »

Hi & Welcome.

The FAQs sticky at the top of this forum is your friend. Also, look for the Indiana Hunting forum, you can find your fellow hoosiers and there are a number of threads regarding pistol caliber rifles for IN whitetail deer.

My older brother lives in Indiana and just bought a 44Mag for deer. I asked for reccomendations for 44 mag deer ammo for the non-handloader and it seems to be Winchester White Box with the 240 grain jacketed soft point.

BB

willy7586 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2011, 04:53:40 AM »

Thanks, I'm in Indianapolis

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2011, 05:01:49 AM »

Hi Tim, and welcome. Before I started reloading and reaming my .44 Handi to .445 it shot Hornady Leverevolutions very well. I don't know how old you are, but one of the dumbest things I ever did in my life was to wait til I was 69, last year, to start reloading. I should have done it 50 years ago The only good thing about it is I never threw away brass, so I have lots and lots of it to play with.

Enjoy your new Rifle. Good hunting and shooting.

Pete

Shu · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2011, 05:05:21 AM »

Welcome to the forums.

the 44 mag is a super versatile cartridge. As previously stated the FAQ section is a great resource for you.

You should consider reloading, it is a bit of an expense to start up but it is well worth it.
There is just something about having a nice steak, gotten with your own reload and your own customized gun.

PhillB · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2011, 08:06:57 AM »

Hi Willy, I'm a fairly new Handi rifle owner also. I live in East central Indiana in Randolph Co.. I found the FAQs to be a lot of help when I was considering buying my first Handi rifle. Can't help you with the .44 mag as I got a .357 but I love mine. I'm not a hunter but a lot of fellas use Handis in Indiana to hunt deer. Hope you get as much enjoyment with your Handi as I have mine.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2011, 08:30:16 AM »

Welcome and congrats on the new Handy 44! You really can't go wrong with any of the 240 gr 44 Mags., shoot and see what your rifle likes. Handloading is the way to go, you don't save any money, but you get to shoot alot more for your $.

The straight case pistol cartridges are great to start your reloading with, get Carbide dies so you don't have to mess with the case lube. Small electric scales are much faster and easier to use, no waiting for the balance beam to quit moving and no mistakes on setting the scale wrong. Yes, most of us who have reloaded for several years have set the sliders wrong

. Several kits out there that ore the way to go, add the electronic scales and you are good to go. DP

parson48 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2011, 09:00:23 AM »

Hey Tim,

Welcome to the site. I also live in Indy.

I've hunted with Handi rifles for a while. 44 mag, and 357 bored to max. You'll like your rifle.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2011, 02:10:20 AM »

I am from Indiana too as there are many people on this forum. I love to reload, but it is expensive to get into and you need the room. If you have an apartment or you have only your room, it makes it challenging...Not impossible, you have to use your imagination. I have tried my 44 Handi with store bought ammo. Mine likes the Winchester white box 240 GR. Jacketed Soft Point.

Here is 3 shots at 50 yards with my Handi 44 and Winchesters, there is one in the bottomof the photo, but was after I made a sight correction in the scope.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

Dinny · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2011, 08:53:09 AM »

Tim,
Welcome! Not much I can say that hasn't been said already...except that you can get a Lee loader for the 44Mag and that may be the cheapest route to start reloading. Using your once-fired brass and the supplied Lee dippers, you can get a good start and save a few dollars doing it.

Thanks, Dinny

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2011, 03:19:06 PM »

Tim: a Hardy and Heartfelt WELCOME to GBO. Like Parson48, I too live in Indy. the only Handi that I have at this time is a 30-30, and being on SS I have to budget for my toys. Next up is, Hopefully, a 45LC or a 357maggie. That way I may take advantage of the Indiana rifle season. wish that they would allow 45-70 (have one in a BSA&M Martini) then I would have the " CAT'S Meow"

) welcome to the forum and hopefully you and Parson48 and I may have a chance to coffee and talk! I don't drink (30yrs recovering AA) but I'd be more than happy to buy Ya'll a brew! God Bless to all.

ETA: for many years I used a Lee " whack'em" loader for most of my reloading. Yeah, it was a little slow, but it produces some damm accurate ammo and I became pretty proficient in putting out some volume of ammo. I used it when I was up North Indiana shooting a lot of competition for years. good stuff.

keith44 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2011, 04:09:31 PM »

Howdy and welcome. You've made three great choices, 1) getting a handi, 2) getting it in .44 mag, and 3) joining what may very well be the best forum for handi rifles anywhere.

Now you really should consider reloading for it. For about $150.00 you can get set up with a Lee press dies, one box of bullets one pound of powder, a box of primers and a Lee balance scale. This set up will allow you to fine tune the ammo to what the gun likes, and at todays prices for ammo, once you load about four boxes the press and dies will be paid for and ammo can be loaded for around 25 cents/ round. (maybe slightly higher I haven't had to buy supplies for a while).

Steve Gold · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2011, 09:09:04 AM »

Plus one on the reloading, I waited till I was 52 but my excuse is it took me my first 42 to escape a communist England with the dumbest gun laws on the planet!

Good luck with the handi in 44, Don't forget if you hand load you can custom fit the bullets to your barrel then find a load your rifle really likes. It is a hart warming feeling to shoot bullets you have cast n loaded, plus EVENTUALLY it will save some money = more shooting

All the best

Steve

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:55:14 PM »

Steve : I know that this is coming back at you a little late , but I was re-reading some of my old threads and as I saw this one again it came back to me that while you refer to Communist England, one really nice and good thing that came out of England was my BSA&M Martini 310 cadet rifle. Love that little sweetie.

. Not all things in England are bad. God Bless to you and yours.

Goofy

mechanic · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2011, 04:20:00 AM »

Welcome aboard! Be sure and check in with your neighbors on the Indiana forum.

Ben

revbc · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2011, 05:37:14 AM »

Welcome Tim,

Looks like these guys have you up to speed. Spend some time in the FAQ's, great information on the handi.

Bobby

spikehorn · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2011, 04:50:39 PM »

Welcome! Its already been said Winchester white box 240gr

Lost Oki · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2011, 03:00:26 PM »

Welcome to the Forum. Lots of information, guidance and support here. Moved out of Westfield IN 4 yrs ago to NC. but come back every year to hunt with my friends and son. You will like the handi44, son has one. Currently I have one in .223 but plan on adding the 357 barrel this year. Reloading: Get started with the Lee Loader. I have several and have used them for 40 years and they will help you to develop your skills in reloading. I kept my first one in a wooden crate that I would carry into the living room, reload and watch TV. With a little imagination you can easily make it work in an apartment. I did for several years.
Again, welcome to the forum.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 19, 2011, 06:06:57 AM »

Or the Lee Hand Press which takes regular dies; take it anywhere and reload on the cheap too (no 'banging' required). A lot of the time I use a 'universal decapper' and dont even resize; just decap, recap, charge and lightly fit a cast lead bullet in the case mouth. Ready to rock!

briannmilewis · « **Reply #21 on:** June 19, 2011, 06:18:24 PM »

Quote from: petemi on May 28, 2011, 05:01:49 AM

...one of the dumbest things I ever did in my life was to wait til I was 69, last year, to start reloading.
Pete

And I thought I was a late starter at 55 for reloading, but Pete has the edge on me, I started centerfire and reloading at the same time. 40 years ago would have been a good start for me! Good luck & enjoy the Handi(s). You have no hope of owning only one. You'll see.