Author Topic: All Dressed Up And... (Read 613 times)

Big Blue · « **on:** July 30, 2005, 04:33:13 PM »

..No where to go!
After being heavily disappointed that I can't find a .500 S+W Handy, I'm all set to buy and need to pick something else.
The first Handy I bought was a .243, it went to my son as his first rifle, so another .243 has some appeal. I've never loaded for that caliber, but always liked it. Was wondering what it could do with some nice Barnes 85gr. bullets.
Next in line is the .270. One of the all time great calibers and again I've never loaded for it. I do however have a .270 WSM which is nothing more than a 200 FPS gain on Jack's old favorite.
I have loaded for the .280, so I have dies, brass, and bullets, just no rifle at this time. It will pretty much do anything the .270 will do, and has the ability to use heavier bullets well.
Lastly is the Godfather of American cartridges, the 30/06. How I ever got this old without owning one is beyond me. I have had many .308's, but never the 30/06. It will do just about anything you can ask of a cartridge, from saboted 55gr. bullets for varmints, up to 220gr. Elk busters.
So there you have my choices/dilema, now what is the solution to my not available .500 S+W blues?
Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2005, 04:39:37 PM »

Be patient and wait for the .500, you know darn good and well that when you make a decision on another caliber and buy one, the .500 will all of a sudden be plentiful!!! Or.....get the '06 and then a .500 too.....in true Handiholic tradition!! :-D

Tim

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2005, 04:41:38 PM »

I suggest you be patient and order one. Get what you want and you'll never be disapointed

Norseman112 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2005, 04:48:33 PM »

Oh I think the Ole 30-06 can help put a smile on your face for sure. As it is a great caliber. Then keep watching for that .500

Best wishes,

Norse

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2005, 04:57:14 PM »

Don, you can always send a frame in to have a .500 barrel fitted, I'd just call em first to make sure one is available...#R03440, 22" w/adjustable open sights....$82+.... :agree:

Tim

218Bee · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2005, 05:14:37 PM »

Just got a 30-06 from kenbev. I'm taking Tim's barrel fitting 101, as we speak (or type).

Got it because "everybody should have a 30-06".

Of course quick has the "final answer"...getem both :twisted:

Rick

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:05:45 PM »

Decisions...decisions...decisions...so many calibers...it's hard to know what to do...well...you can go with something totally different...something you wouldn't normally want...go with the tradtional calibers to be safe...or live dangerously and spring for a custom chambering...or...as Quick said...get them all...buy one ...and send it in for 1 barrel or as many barrels and you want...but...that doesn't help much I know...so I'll try to help...here's my choices

1) Single use gun...strickly varmints...if you reload...the 204...if not...a 24" bull 223... for a custom Handi...if wanting to go that route...convert a 22Hornet into a 222 Remington...and addition to this would also include the new rim fires...for those close in varminting situations...very accurate...realatively cheap to shoot...you will note that I purposely left out the 22-250...I did this for a reason. that being the 22" barrel..once you can purchase the 24" barrels thru the barrel accessaory program... then to me it would be a better choice...the 22-250 shines with a longer barrel...

2)Multi-use varmint..light to medium deer...a 24" bull barrel 243..easy to load for...will work great with bullets in the 95 grain class for deer...and the lighter ones for varmints...

3) Multi-use long range varmint to medium big game...25-06...yep...it's a bit over kill...but one of the finer cartridges NEF offers in a 26" barrel configuration for dual usage...

4) Single use Big-Game..close range(200yards and under)...only 3...the 444 Marlin if you can find one...and the venerble 45-70.. and the 450 Marlin...most close range shots are really close...50yards and under...and I know there are a bunch of good rounds that will work in this case for deer...but...Big Game will also include Elk size down...so I left out the 30-30's and the pistol cartridges...that's just how I feel...

5)Single-use Big Game long range...depends on what mood I'm in...the 25-06 will work with the right bullet...the 270 is a definant alternative and a fine choice...the 280 fills the bill as usual...the 30-06 is outstanding...all work great...and you needn't worry about choosing any of them...they all can double for anything you want to hunt down thru varmints...but just not as easy on the shoulder and pocket book for all day varmint hunting....2 calibers I left out here...and this is just my personal choice...that would be the 7-08 and the 308...if we were talking bolt guns...different story...but we aren't...and the short action lighter rifle stuff is moot in our Handi's....custom guns...rechamberd and rebored 25-06 barrels to your choice here...but the 270 comes to mind...as well as a 30-06...and also the 338-06

6)...Dangerous game...well...nothing really long range stands out...the 30-06 will work...but not the best choice...and the 45-70 as is the 450 Marlin... both are shoe-ins for close shots...few 35 Whelens are available...and folks grab them up as soon as they appear...same for the 444 Marlin...and if you can get one...I suggest you grab it as fast as you can...custom guns...338-06...375-06...these 2 have enough to work and are straight forward cartridges...easy to load for...plenty of reloading data...

You really have to love your Handi's to go this route...believe me.. but they add another way for you to go...and we have a great gunsmith available who does quality work for a fair price....they aren't for the faint of heart...nor for folks who can't tolerate recoil....but then most big bores are that way...here's my custom 338-06...I love it...and will have a few more before it's all said and done

Hope this helps..

Mac

De41mag · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:13:40 PM »

OK Mac;

Everytime I hear about your 338-06, I start DROOLING.
Pretty soon gonna have cotton mouth. :roll:
You know I want one and....SLOBBER, SLOBBER, SLOBBER.

Dennis

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:28:04 PM »

Dennis:

No time like the present to go for it ...you can always say it's a early Christmas present :wink:

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:30:35 PM »

Quote from: De41mag

OK Mac;

Everytime I hear about your 338-06, I start DROOLING.
Pretty soon gonna have cotton mouth. :roll:
You know I want one and....SLOBBER, SLOBBER, SLOBBER.

Dennis

The sooner the better, Wayne's gonna be moving in a couple months and he won't be doing much smithing during the move east of the mountains!! But you'll hafta wait until he gets my 405 Winchester done!!!

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eoregunsmithing/index.html

Tim

De41mag · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:50:26 PM »

You guys are killing me!

I really want one but I just bought the UVF. Plus after dad passed away in March I got his guns. Sooo... I got more guns than I can shoot now. Going to get rid of the Rem. Mod. 7FS in 7mm-08 to offset the purchase of the UVF in 22-250. Was going to get a 7mm-08 barrel in the Handi because of the extra 3-1/2 inches of barrel. You know, use the barrel accessory program.
But if I take that money and get a 338-06 barrel, Oh Jesus.... there you guys go, got me thinking again. I gotta get off this post. :roll:

Dennis

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2005, 07:57:44 PM »

Gothcha thinking

or scheming......either way...it's all good... :lol:

Mac

kenbev · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2005, 02:31:52 AM »

You could be like me and just get them all....Better have a pocket full of money and an understanding wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Blue · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2005, 03:19:53 AM »

I hadn't known the .500 S+W could be had as a add on barrel. I did look at their website with an eye for that, but it wasn't there. That may be all the more reason to get an alternative caliber. All the H+R/NEF rifles I have had their triggers adjusted with the exception of the BC. I already have the Ultra Varmint in .223, 45-70 BC, .308 HB Ultra, and 7mm-08. I have the 30/30, .308, .22, .270 WSM .44 mag. and the .444 in other rifles. I'm thinking I'll go with the 30/06, and then send it out for the .500 S+W barrel. I've only ever bought whole rifles in the past, but this may be the only way I'll find the .500 S+W any time soon.
Don