Author Topic: So you like Handi rifles? (Read 1507 times)

James B · « **on:** January 22, 2005, 04:08:39 PM »

How many if any of you hunt with only the Handi rifles or only single shots? I don't now but I am getting to the point where I think I would be pretty happy with doing all of my hunting with Handi rifles and perhaps the Encore. I hunted the first quite a few years of my life with single shots. If not, what can't you hunt with your handi?

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2005, 04:56:16 PM »

James B I think I fall into the category of "handi-only". But my handi is a 20ga pardner shotgun. It is all I have used for gun hunting the last 3 years. Tho I do get some unprintable comments and funny looks from some of my longtime hunting buddies.

BoneDigger · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2005, 04:57:03 PM »

I mostly archery hunt right now, but I am buying my first Handi as we speak (it is on order) and I think it will probably be my only hunting rifle. I aam also considering a Super Slug shotgun to use with the handi. So, yes a single shot gun will be my only hunting gun(s).

Todd

jeff223 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2005, 05:53:07 PM »

James,i hunt mostly with single shots and have done so for a number of years now.Knight Rifles,NEF Handi Rifles and NEF Shotguns and now new for next year i have a G2 Contender pistol.most of my hunting is with bow and arrow though.if i had to choose between gun and bow hunting i would choose the bow.i dont have to choose so i will do both.

i hunted mule deer in your state last fall in the bad lands and i loved it there.saw some nice big bucks there too.im heading back in Sept again to see if i can arrow one.sure love the bad lands.the east side of your state sure is flat :shock:

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2005, 05:53:25 PM »

I've shot a lot of prairie dogs with my .17 HMR Handi. It's quiet, and I can reach out quite a ways with it.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2005, 05:57:13 PM »

I hunt with my Handi's...but I also hunt with my Marlin 1895GS...I enjoy both...but I will probably do something a-little different next season...the scope will come off my Marlin...and a good set of peep sites will go on...

Mac

MtJerry · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2005, 02:20:36 AM »

Last season was my first "all handi" season. Likely won't be my last either. :grin:

hellacatcher · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2005, 02:47:29 AM »

Mostly with a handi :-D but do have a couple of remingtons I like to use.

Duce · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2005, 02:59:42 AM »

JamesB: Check the signature!! I can't say I always use a single shot, but I feel that doing so makes one a better and safer hunter. :wink: <>< Duce:

James B · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2005, 04:50:20 AM »

I hate to need more than one shot. I quess it comes from years of useing single shots. I had an uncle who was a crack shot with any rifle. He would buy a box of shells and tell the clerk that he would be back in 20 years for another box. :lol:

JPH45 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2005, 01:10:22 PM »

You mean they make repeaters

:-D :roll:

I've hunted with single shots most of my life, and I've hunted with nothing but Handis for the last two years, the Handi reloads quick, and I've not seen the situation yet where the time to get a second round in the barrel would have kept me from putting meat in the freezer, and I hunt thick creek bottoms where shots are 25-40 yards and the action is NOW. The Handi is no handicap. My eye sight on the other hand..........

mt3030 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2005, 04:11:29 PM »

In the last four seasons, two of my Handi's (30-30, 25-06) have taken the majority of my whitetail, mule and pronghorns. Good shooting..mt

James B · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:01:49 PM »

I may make this my first all Handi year. If it works well I can trim down my arsenal quite a bit.

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:30:46 PM »

i started out 27 years ago with single shot then doubles.and lever guns.,then topumps and bolts........it got boring.......so for the last10 years h&r all i hunted with......my buddies would drive the truck up to where i was hunting during deer season WHEN they heard me shoot once......its FUN getting a double in doves with a single shot,,,,it can be done......i guess its just a middle age thing.......being BOARD......NEW LIFE WITH A SINGLE SHOT.......JB...

thejanitor · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2005, 05:31:12 PM »

Hello all: I was a "modern" hunter since high school but in '94 got into black powder shooting and flintlocks..... well these handi rifles are repeaters compared to my flint lock. We have hunted with the 30-30 H&R for two years and today I put the Handi 7mm/08 on Layaway at Gander Mtn. My daughter and I will both be Handi hunters next fall. I love the way they feel and with a scope they look awesome.
I don't think there is any large game around MN that a Handi won't work for but still like a pump gun for duck hunting. Brent

Swift One · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2005, 01:47:38 AM »

90% of my hunting is predator/varmint. And 95% of that is done with my Handi 223BBL.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2005, 01:05:02 PM »

.357 max one shot one 150lb doe in the frezzer. Yep I like'em alright.

Hildy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2005, 03:45:16 PM »

I hunt with mostly NEF's now. Last year deer season was done with an Ultra 25-06 and it filled the freezer with a nice buck! :grin:

However, I am not too fond of the NEF's weight. They are 'Handi', but man, I might as well carry a ton of bricks. While I do my groundhog hunting, I like to have a bipod attached and this makes it even worse when added to the large scope and rifle. Not only this, but one field I hunt allows one to walk several thousand yards on a groundhog hunt...add that to hot weather...and you got a workout.

Even still, I like the Handi's. They aren't the nicest pieces of wood and metal, when compared to say my Weatherby or Ruger, but they are a kind of thier own...unique from other rifles. A good friend of mine, a shooter of high quality rifles, says that I am crazy for my liking of NEF guns. He tells me thier ugly and doesn't like the idea of a single shot. I just laugh at him, knowing my single shot will put a few rifles, expensive ones, of his to shame. Oh well, I guess you'll have your groups of people who find an expensive rifle is needed to get the job done. I too enjoy the quality of a nice rifle, but when it comes down to it, I don't buy my guns to look at, I buy them to shoot...and shoot they certainly do!

mangulator · « **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2005, 04:23:40 PM »

I started hunting just with my Handi. I love the gun also, had a Huntsman muzzleloader barrel put on the frame. You won't go wrong with the Handi rifle on any hunt.

Sourdough · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2005, 05:13:50 PM »

During the winter I carry my 30-06 Handi exclusively. During the summer (when the Grizzlies are out) I either carry my .35Whelen Handi, or my TCR in .338 Win Mag. Single shots are all I carry anymore. This year I took both a Caribou and Moose with my Handi 30-06.

James B · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2005, 06:01:34 PM »

Way to guy guys. We do have some real handi-hunters here. I have to do more shooting with the 280 this summer. I might pick up a 25-06 Ultra this year as well. The 30-30 is my next one though. I Think :grin: That is if no other ones follow me home before that.

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #21 on:** January 24, 2005, 06:23:27 PM »

I must say that I really like my 25-06 Laminate Handi-rifle so far. I have tweeked it to where I trust it to kill deer and medium varmits at the ranges I plan to hunt. I am sure we will enjoy many hours together in the field.
I am used to single shots having owned and hunted with T/C Contenders, TCR rifles, H&R shotguns and muzzleloaders for decades. I was cleaning my Handi the other day and I paused to think of the deer and varmits I have actually required more than one shot in the past 30 or so years. Of the SMALL number I could remember, none of them required a second shot fired fast enough that I could not have reloaded a break open single shot or rolling block rifle or shotgun.
The combo of the fine 25-06 cartridge and a simple, dependable break open single shot action may be just the deer medicine I need for filling the freezer every year. We put four in the deep freeze this year. My family feasted on venison burritos this evening.

UMMMMM GOOOOOD

James B · « **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2005, 08:55:15 PM »

I had hot cakes and sausage made with deer and pork. We made link sausage this time. Had to try out the Sausage stuffer on my grinder. I had eight Mule deer doe tags and filled them all. I gave one deer to the guy who's house we stay at when we go to SD deer hunting. I took two with the 06, two with the 308 and four with the 25-06.

mag41vance · « **Reply #23 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:21:26 AM »

Hunting with single shots is not a disadvantage for me. I have had several occasions to double on doves, once on quail with my H&R 12 ga.
I've doubled on deer twice with my 30-30 sb2.

Masterblaster1 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2005, 06:19:49 AM »

I hunt with whatever I feel fits the situation or my mood. I use a mossberg 500 12 guage, Marlin 336 .35 Rem, Ruger 10/22, Romanian Bolt action 22, Handi-rifle in .280, Mauser bolt 8x57mm with peep sights. Most of my guns are scoped.

TOMMYY01 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:58:13 AM »

The only regret I have is that I wished I had been smart a little sooner. Basically for me, Handi's are the best way to go, period IMHO.

:-D
It's funny that even some of my relatives, ask me " a single shot, what if you need another shot quick?" I tell them, go to the range and get it on like you want it. If you need another shot, keep a bullet or shell in the other hand :sniper: Most of the time you won't need though. :wink:
tommy

cgturner7 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:24:13 PM »

I have other rifles but the one that goes hunting is the H&R Ultra .308. In the last two years, 4 shots- two 8-pointers and 2 turkeys.

JKump · « **Reply #27 on:** January 26, 2005, 02:18:26 AM »

How often do you need more than one shot while hunting? Mostly only one shot presents itself. Take that shot and make it count. With that being said I am a NEF fan. I have used A NEF super light Handi in .243 to take 5 deer this year ( a 5 pointer and 4 does). I really Like this weapon.

Markus · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2005, 03:43:12 AM »

I'm pretty sur that this will the last season the 870 has made it's last trip to the woods for deer with me. I shot one with my Topper deluxe slug 12ga and I don't see the need to carry the extra weight. I'Ve been using H&R shotguns for 32 years now and they've never let me down.