Good morning!
I have been reading a lot of posts on other sites that Handi rifles may not be best choice for a hunting rifle but then there are no comments to why. I have a few handi in my collection and to tell the truth have never brought on on the hunt for elk. Has anyone here used a handi for Elk/moose clase game that could give me pros and cons?
thanks!
Seems to me the answer to the original question about a Handi as a big game hunting rifle (and I'm going to be pedantic here) can be answered by this statement:
"A suitable hunting rifle can be defined this way - one that accurately launches a bullet capable of cleanly taking the game being hunted." That is, in fact, the only answer for any rifle, or firearm... if it accurately launches a bullet capable of cleanly taking the game, any rifle is suitable. Period.
That being said, other factors can and do come into play, and most of them have to do with the person carrying the rifle, not the rifle itself.
If you, the hunter are not confident or proficient enough at placing a bullet accurately, or you have concerns about any aspect of the operation, mechanics or performance of the firearm, or you are not willing to put up with hunting buddy's making jokes about your arm of choice, or you don't want to risk your time and resources on an expensive once-in-a-lifetime or "trip hunt" because of any of the above factors, then
"No, a _(blank)___ rifle is not a suitable rifle." Also it may not be suitable in a particular location for regulatory reasons.
So, as far as I can see (pedantically and logically) it's not just the model and type of firearm that determines suitability, it is mostly human perception, human custom, human ability, and human rules.
Game has been hunted and killed with bare hands, teeth, rocks, sharp pointed sticks, snares, pits and cliffs. At various times, all were suitable for putting meat in bellies, though truth be told I don't consider that actually "hunting" in this day and age. Anyway, I'd be much more inclined to just grab a Handi from the safe (.308, or 357 max) than dig a pit or sharpen a stick!