Author Topic: Another Handi??  (Read 577 times)

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Offline dlhumphrey

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Another Handi??
« on: January 19, 2013, 03:59:14 PM »
Well, I finally go a scope mounted on my 45-70. Took it to the range today and it shot surprisingly well. Only shot at 25 and 50 yards but was pleased with the results at 50 yards. 1" - 1 1/4" groups which is good for me. Any way, now i want to get nother rifle. I am thinking about .223, .243, or a 25-06. Something in a smaller caliber. My question is are they good rifles in these calibers? I have seen some reviews where people were having problems with accuracy and extraction issues. Really not in to re-chambering or changing extractor/ejectors or anything like that, just stock rifles. Are they good rifles? Problems?
Thank you, any input would be appreciated.

Offline theratdog

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2013, 08:26:03 PM »
the 223 is sweet i have a shorty and standard  sized gun. both scoped both shot real good out of the box. :)

Offline petemi

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2013, 02:45:13 AM »
My .223, .22-250, .243 and 7mm-08 are all shooting MOA or sub-MOA.  A couple didn't do it off the bat.  The used .22-250 had a bad barrel to start with and Brian56 fixed that by replacing it.  The 7mm-08 Superlight took some load playing but I found it.  The .223 and .243 Superlights hopped out of the box (actually accessory barrels) and shot.  85 gr. in the .243 and .52 gr. in the .223.  No extraction problems,  FTF, etc. in any of them. 

Good luck with the .45-70.  Keep working with it.  It'll tighten up.

Pete
Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
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Offline Ol BW

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2013, 03:05:09 AM »
I never had trouble with the .243 and my ex-wife's son is still killing deer with it.  I have a couple of friends with them with no trouble.




Offline brayh92

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2013, 03:19:13 AM »
My .223 is shooting sub MOA out of the box with 55 gr Remington and Pmc ammo
Handi's: .45-70 Govt, .22-250, Pardner 16 GA, Topper 58 20 Ga shorty, Pardner 410 GA

Offline hoytcanon

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2013, 03:31:14 AM »
Your best bet is to get a .223 next... they are good shooters in all configurations (SL, Standard, Heavy) I have four and they are inexpensive to shoot, fun and accurate. The new ones are 1:9 and do well with the heavier bullets... I do shoot Pete's 52 BTHP, but mostly the bulk 55 grain Z-Max (500 pack), and hunt mostly with the 68 gr BTHP's. When you are ready for your third gun, you can fill in the gap with a 7mm-08 or .308... my preferences run to the SA caliber's that is why I am steering you that way, but the LA guys might say your third should be .280 or .30/06. Good luck with your purchase.
Hoyt Handi's; Ultra Black .22 K-Hornet Shorty, Black Synthetic K-Hornet Shorty & Nickel .410 Combo (sons), Ultra Granite Grey .22 BR Rem, Ultra Nutmeg .223 & .30/30 Shorty Combo (sons), Ultra Forest .223/7mm-08 Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest .243/.308 Combo, Ultra Nutmeg .243/.308 Combo (sons),  Jacaranda/Cocobolo .30/30 & 7.62X39 Shorty Combo, Ultra Black/Stainless .260 Rem Stub, Ultra Black/Stainless .338 Federal Stub,  Ultra Grey .358 Win, Ultra Grey .35 Whelen, Walnut/Cocobolo Mannlicher .357 MAX, Buffalo Classic Mannlicher .44 Mag Shorties w/NDS-38 peeps (X2; Sons & mine), Ultra Grey Stainless .45/70 & .243 & 20 Gauge Combo, Buffalo Classic 26" .45/70, 9.3X74R Mannlicher, Synthetic Nickel .410 & .30/30 & Versa Pak .22 LR Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest/Cocobolo 12 Gauge 3.5" Turkey; Most scoped with DNZ or Dura Sight one-piece bases and Mueller, Hawke or Nikon scopes... several with Skinner Peeps and Williams Fire Sight ramps.

Offline gcrank1

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2013, 05:44:59 AM »
Might want to check on what kind of cartridges you can still find and afford before buying a rifle.
The times, they are a changin'..........
My preference is for something I can cast bullets for.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
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We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline hoytcanon

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2013, 06:22:43 AM »
Might want to check on what kind of cartridges you can still find and afford before buying a rifle.
The times, they are a changin'..........
My preference is for something I can cast bullets for.

Cheap and available = .223, even more so if you reload.
Hoyt Handi's; Ultra Black .22 K-Hornet Shorty, Black Synthetic K-Hornet Shorty & Nickel .410 Combo (sons), Ultra Granite Grey .22 BR Rem, Ultra Nutmeg .223 & .30/30 Shorty Combo (sons), Ultra Forest .223/7mm-08 Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest .243/.308 Combo, Ultra Nutmeg .243/.308 Combo (sons),  Jacaranda/Cocobolo .30/30 & 7.62X39 Shorty Combo, Ultra Black/Stainless .260 Rem Stub, Ultra Black/Stainless .338 Federal Stub,  Ultra Grey .358 Win, Ultra Grey .35 Whelen, Walnut/Cocobolo Mannlicher .357 MAX, Buffalo Classic Mannlicher .44 Mag Shorties w/NDS-38 peeps (X2; Sons & mine), Ultra Grey Stainless .45/70 & .243 & 20 Gauge Combo, Buffalo Classic 26" .45/70, 9.3X74R Mannlicher, Synthetic Nickel .410 & .30/30 & Versa Pak .22 LR Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest/Cocobolo 12 Gauge 3.5" Turkey; Most scoped with DNZ or Dura Sight one-piece bases and Mueller, Hawke or Nikon scopes... several with Skinner Peeps and Williams Fire Sight ramps.

Offline dlhumphrey

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2013, 07:12:04 AM »
Thank you all, look like people have had pretty good luck with the smaller calibers. I was leaning towards the .223 or .243 only because I have other rifles in those calibers and reload for them.
gcrank1,
You might be on to something regarding the ammo supply. I have never cast bullets before but have been interested. I know you can't find a box of .223 anywhere around here. Actually you can't find much of anything (maybe some shot shells and .45) around here right now, not even .22lr. Hopefuly that will change once the panic buying quits. Or not.
 
Any way, thanks again for the help and input. Might have to get myself a belated Christmas present.

Offline gcrank1

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2013, 07:50:37 AM »
Im thinkin' inexpensive .223 might be a thing of the past here, IF you can find them; after all, its kind of the favored chambering for those dreaded A.Rifles.
I rethought my caliber 'needs' a while back and culled the herd. 22LR is a given keeper, and for me 22M doubles the effective range without a small CF. The .30 cal. covers a lot of performance levels, but if I found a 357Mag I think Id go for it in the middle ground, I just like reloading straight wall pistol cartridges with carbide dies and cast bullets. The 45-70 pretty well hits the high notes for me and like the .30's, or a 357 can be loaded soft to hard.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline YRUpunting?

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Re: Another Handi??
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2013, 07:52:44 AM »
Thank you all, look like people have had pretty good luck with the smaller calibers. I was leaning towards the .223 or .243 only because I have other rifles in those calibers and reload for them.
gcrank1,
You might be on to something regarding the ammo supply. I have never cast bullets before but have been interested. I know you can't find a box of .223 anywhere around here. Actually you can't find much of anything (maybe some shot shells and .45) around here right now, not even .22lr. Hopefuly that will change once the panic buying quits. Or not.
 
Any way, thanks again for the help and input. Might have to get myself a belated Christmas present.

If you have the 223 and 243 covered take some time to read up in the FAQ or by searching for the 357 Maximum.  Easy to reload, 38 Spl plinkers all the way up to 180 grain Maximums that will equal or surpass the 30-30.  They are also a good candidate for barrel shortening if you desire.