Just picked up the newest handi today. 280 synthetic. Yeah, I know-plastic is ugly-but it doesnt get banged up as bad being dragged up into a tree stand on a rope. Does any one have any good loads for this caliber? I want to use 140 or 150 gr. bullets. So far I only have 5 handis-223 bull barrel, 25-06, BC, and a 357 that I resurrected from a pawn shop. The 357 is perfect for teaching my 10 year old to shoot. Its loud enough to be impressive, with no recoil. Good thing I reload 38 specials. He'd break me up buying ammo. Also, thanks for the info on the barrel program. One of mine is going back for a 7.62x39, a .243, and a .500 Smith and Wesson. Any idea on when the .500 will be available? I dont want to be hung up waiting for 3 months while NEF gets around to tooling up. You guys warned me about this handi addiction-NEF should give the first one away free-Just to get you hooked.