Which barrel should I get?

[Doc Fillem]

I just got a Handi that came with 3 barrels: 44 Mag, .223, and 12 gauge. To complete my "Kill Anything That Walks, Crawls, or Flies" combo I was thinking of getting one more barrel such as 35 Whelen. I already have 45-70, 30-30, .308 and 7 Mag rifles so I want something I don't already have and I like the idea of the 35Whelen because 1) it comes with open sights 2) I can use cheap .358 pistol bullets for plinking/practice.
What do you guys think?

[Dinny]

I didn't realize the Whelen barrel comes with sights. It is a fine choice for a large game caliber. Here's an article I read last night that further supports it's use.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm


Thanks, Dinny

[OSOK]

Sounds good. Plenty of thump, good trajectory.
Might I suggest the .357 mag reamed to max. Same caliber, even easier to load the light plinking loads for, .30-30 power when you ramp up the loads.
Unless you just want/need the Whelen's power, I think you'll love it.
I have a Talo Trapper (18 3/4" barrel with sights) that I bought for my oldest grand daughter and reamed to max. Shoots .38, .357 mag and .357 max all just as good. the .38 loads have no recoil and little noise. .357 max loads bark, but aren't abusive, and kick less than a .410 H&R shotgun. Plenty of mileage out of your reloading supplies, just an all around joy to load and shoot. Using a 2.5x scope it shoots the Hornady 180 gr. SSP bullets into an inch at 100 yards with boring regularity.
If you want to try it out just come on up and we'll play with it.
Les

[gcrank1]

My first thought was the 357 barrel  .

[theratdog]

you will have to check the receiver to make sure it is a sb2 to handle the heavy pressure.

[quickdtoo]

you will have to check the receiver to make sure it is a sb2 to handle the heavy pressure.

Even then it has to be made 2000 or later for H&R to fit a Whelen barrel to it, they won't fit any rifle barrels other than 357 and 44 mag to SB2 frames made before 2000.

Tim

[hex]

I just got a Handi that came with 3 barrels: 44 Mag, .223, and 12 gauge. To complete my "Kill Anything That Walks, Crawls, or Flies" combo I was thinking of getting one more barrel such as 35 Whelen. I already have 45-70, 30-30, .308 and 7 Mag rifles so I want something I don't already have and I like the idea of the 35Whelen because 1) it comes with open sights 2) I can use cheap .358 pistol bullets for plinking/practice.
What do you guys think?

I have a Whelen with the open sites. I am looking to replace the factory ones with something a little more "visible". I was shooting black walnuts with it at 50 yards with 200 grain factory Hornady's the other day leaving black "dust" all over the shooting area. It is a damn good round with a lot of flexibility, kicks a little in a Handi so expect it to let you know it went down range.