I also will apologize if someone thinks I "insulted " their rimless handi, and they should not worry about running out and exchanging a new one before firing it. That said, YES, I prefer rimmed cartridges in the handi, as CW said, it is the perfect platform for them. If I wanted a 308 say. I can buy a 308 semi auto that will hold 20 rounds, be more accurate, have all kind of options and gizmos that will attach. I can even buy a bolt action that will have a cheap scope, hold 4 rounds, have an adjustable trigger, be as accurate as the average handi with factory ammo, for as little or less than a handi. Why would I want a 308 handi?
Why did I prefer handi's in the first place?
Why do I prefer chunky blondes who love to bake and hates pajamas?
Because it is what makes me happy.
#1 I find that rimmed cartridges are chamberings that mean something to me. My grandfather had a 32/20 and a 45/70. My first real rifle was a 30/30. There is a nostalgia factor there.
#2 Most rimmed cartridges operate at lower pressure, that extends caselife and for the most part also reduces noise and recoil.
#3 Most rimmed cases are straight walled cartridges, they are better adapted to cast bullet loading, use lighter loads, lower velocity, therefore they are much cheaper to reload. Handis also raise the performance of "handgun" "levergun" and "obsolete" cartridges to surprising levels.
My life story is largely a history of doing more with less
SO. How is it that I can pick up a second hand economy rifle, fiddle with it until it shoots well enough, make my own bullets in a dutch oven in the back yard,shoved into range pickup brass, put meat in the freezer, and be extraordinarily pleased with myself , while I watch young nimrod with the Custom made, Zeiss scoped, Berger shooting, 900 yard capable spiral fluted barrel, shoot an elk that was personally chosen by the guide the previous month when it was cataloged and measured for points, then donate everything except the head to charity, and be recognized by the Safari Club for being in the record books?
Call it reverse snobbery if you will, a perverse enjoyment in taking something less and making it more. Everybody and their dog has a 30 caliber something or other. The number of people whom I know have seen a 357 Herrett you could get in a station wagon. I have a deer on my wall I took with one. I made the brass myself from 30/30, cast the bullet- a 358429HP. If you buy a new 700 Remington in 300 Ultra mag, you are not going into the garage with a hacksaw and make a shorty out of it. You just are not. Nor are you going to ream out a new bolt rifle to a different cartridge with a hand reamer. You will a handi. Rimmed cases are easier to do that with, at least I think so. A really cool 223 is difficult to find. A 219 Zipper that is NOT cool, would be hard to find. No hard feelings, not dissin' anyone. Kinda like the "less filling vs tastes great" argument I guess. ( That would be because I despise beer and on the rare occasions I use "spirits" it is Schnapps.)
