Negative review - NEF Handi-Rifle

[BoneDigger]

OK, first off, let me start this thread by saying that I am a huge fan of this site, and I am a fan of you guys specifically.  You have helped me more in tha past than I can articulate, and I really appreciate it...

Now on to my review:

I purchased a brand new NEF Handi-rifle in 7mm-08 and my first handling of it impressed me.  I thought the gun was nicely put together, if a little rough around the edges.  But, after cleaning it up a bit, the gun looked nice and had a good feel about.  So, my first impressions: good.

I thoroughly cleaned the gun and especially paid attention to the barrel, knowing that these guns can be finicky (as per posts on this board).  I also tried my hand at polishing the bore, just in case of problems that might arise with the ejector.  My first trip to the range was disappointing, but was mostly my fault.  I shot three times and the third casing got stuck in the barrel.  It would not come out.  My problem was that I did not calculate this and didn't bring anything to remove it with.  So, back home I went.  BTW, the recoil was very manageable: another good mark.

Second trip to the range, I took a box of Winchester Power Points (my old standby) and a box of Federal.  Both had horrible groups.  My best was 4 inches.  Wow, that sucks...  So, maybe the barrel needs lapping, and maybe it's the ammo.  After five shots, the casing stuck.  Luckily I had a rod to get it out with.  But, after that, EVERY casing stuck.  This is factory ammo, not reloads.

So, I send the rifle back to NEF to be fixed (ejector).  The turnaround was good, but I never received the reimbursement for my shipping cost, which I was promised.  Oh well, it's just $15 right?  When I got the gun back I called and found out that they had polished the chamber.  So, I went to the range again.  This time I had far less issues with sticking casings.  But, they still existed.  About one in every 15 shots or so.  The Remington Core Lokt bullets performed better than the others out of this gun, but I still only managed 2.5 inches at 100 yards.

As I have read reviews of this gun, people seem to say it is a good gun "for the money."  Maybe so, maybe not.  Savage now has a model called the Stevens 200 which sells for only $50 more than the Handi, and is based on the Savage legendary action and accuracy.  So, I'm not so sure the Handi is all that much of a great bargain.  The gun cost me $225, plus $15 to ship it back to NEF, plus approximately $50 in bullets, and still it did not group well.  And, I have lost all confidence in it as a hunting rifle.  I will not hunt with a gun that will not allow me to get a follow up shot (because of a stuck casing).

NEF has the opportunity to fill an important niche right now.  These little Handi Rifles DO have a place, but unless NEF fixes some of these annoying problems, I don't know that they'll ever really be a winner.

I wanted a gun that I could have good accuracy with right out of the box.  I don't know, maybe that doesn't exist anymore, with any gun, but I know I did not acheive it with my Handi.  So, cheers to you guys that have great shooting handi rifles.  As for me... I will be saving up for some other brand.

I hope I have not offended anyone.  This is just simply my take on this gun.

Todd

[mt3030]

Todd:
Understand your feelings. The continued issues with the Handis are the reasons there are so many stickies, trying to improve their performance. I've had good luck with one 223, one 25-06 and all rimmed cases. (I even bought a Tikka 25-06 to be ready in case my 25-06 Ultra looses it.) While I think the 7-08 (or 7x57) is the ideal whitetail caliber, I had so many problems with sticking cases and poor accuracy in handi 308s and 243s, I also decided to go bolt. Anybody that is wanting a "out of the box" accurate and trouble free rifle had better look elsewhere. The Handi's do fill a nitch in the shooters world. It is the tinker's dream come true, but can also be the hunter's nightmare. I respect the game to much to depend on a rifle that might wound, through the fault of hunter or rifle, then fail to give a needed follow-up shot due to a stuck case. I've heard nothing but good about those Stevens Model 200s. If they were just a little lighter I'd have one in 7-08. Good luck.
Wally

[Zeak]

I ordered some replacment barrels for my Ultra last spring. Ordered a 25-06 Ultra,223 std.,and 7mm-08 std. The first 2 shoot to my liking but that 7mm has been pulling my hair out. I'm about to give up on it and put it on E-bay.  The Ultra I bought with the 450 Marlin on it and it shoots great. The area on the 7mm barrel that fits on the hinge pin is as rough as a cob, where as the others are alot smoother.  Zeak

[Leftoverdj]

Todd, you make several good points. The ejector has long been known as the weak point of the Handi, and NEF is adressing that by phasing over to a mechanical extractor.  The Stevens is priced to compete with the Handi and is a great value. You ought to bug NEF for the shipping money out of general principles.

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I like to tinker and expect to spend some time and money getting a new rifle to my satisfaction, even expensive rifles. That's not for everyone, and your comments are valid. I buy Handi's for the fun factor, but I'd probably buy a Stevens if I needed a pure deer rifle.

[myarmor]

And too, from all I have read the 7-08s-in Handis- don't seem to have the best track record. We have all been down the road of frustration with a Handi rifle. I believe them to still be a good deal. If you wanted a bolt, you will sooner or later end up with a bolt :wink: as a good friend of mine once said.
They can shoot, and when they shoot they shoot good.
But I agree, NEF/H&R needs to pay attention to the quality control issues that always pop up. It wouldn't take much from them, but would from Marlin.
-Aaron

[BoneDigger]

Yep, I tried the Hornady bullets, but never replaced the scope.  However, the scope was a brand new Redfield, so I doubt it was the culprit, but it could have been.  Although Idid not do it on the first session, on the second trip to the range I tried cleaning the barrel with a ramrod after every 5 shots.  I'm not sure if that was the proper technique, but it seems I read something like that on here.  Still had stuck casings.

I agree that nobody shoots at a deer 15 times straight, but then, what if that magic 15th just happens to fall on the 1 time I shoot a deer.  Just not worth it to me.  Cleaning the barrel did not seem to have an effect on cartridge ejection.

I guess my major complaint is that it appears that the Handi rifle just isn't the type of gun you can make shoot really good groups without putting much effort into it.  After putting some effort into polishing, and cleaning, and trying different bullets, it just seemed like things weren't getting THAT much better.

After posting my last time, I went out several times later and never got great groups.  That Redfield scope is now on a 22 magnum and it shoots great.  Although, recoil is nonexistent on a 22.  So, who knows...

Now, one thing that I have since read, is that you are supposed to hold the forend in a particular way and not rest it on the bags.  Granted, I did not know this and always rested the forend on the bags.  Maybe that also contributed.  Not sure.  I also never floated the barrel.  But again, I'm not a gunsmith and didn't buy the gun to tinker with it constantly.

Again, I don't mean to bash the gun, it just didn't work out for me.

Todd

[poncaguy]

My 7-08 shoots very good...............

[mitchell]

.   didn't buy the gun to tinker with it constantly.

and you shouldn't in my opinion. if a gun needed constant "tinkering" then it wouldn't stay in my house long.

[Paul5388]

Todd,

I live 50 miles southeast of you (South of Henderson toward Nacogdoches).  If you want to, bring the gun and yourself over and we'll see if we can get it to shoot.  Send me a PM and we'll set it up.