Author Topic: NEF Handi Superlight (Read 637 times)

grouper sandwich · « **on:** March 10, 2006, 03:04:02 AM »

What is the opinion of the board on the Superlight? Thinking about getting a 223 for my daughter and was looking for something easy to handle. I bought her a 243 last year and had the stock cut down, but the recoil is just a tad much for her (she's pretty frail and doesn't handle "friction" well). After 4 or 5 shots she starts asking if she can just shoot my old 22 instead. Anyway, I going to get a new barrel for that gun in 223 and was eyeballing the SL's. Any thoughts? Should I just stick with a 22" barrel?

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2006, 03:31:22 AM »

Hello
The 223 mat also be a bit much for her--not so much the recoil as ths muzzle blast. There will be more recoil with a superlight, and more weight with the standard contoured 22" tube.

You might want to consider a hornet barrel instead; hornet ammo is more expensive unless you roll your own.

Just a thought.

longwalker · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2006, 03:31:50 AM »

If I may, do you have really good hearing protection for her? Sometimes the recoil people are effected by is the noise of the gun going off. If you have ear muffs already try foam ear plugs and the muffs. It can make all the difference in the world. I watched a guy try out his brand new 25-06 one friday afternoon. With the range plugs half heartedly placed in his ears he began blasting away. His comment surprised me that is was uncomfortable to shoot. I suggested he place his plugs in properly and try a set of muffs as well. The results on paper indicated that it made a difference.

Of course the other thing is just let your daughter shoot the 22. She will come around and shoot the "big" guns when she is ready.

longwalker

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2006, 03:34:19 AM »

Yeah, she's got good ear protection, but I might try the ear plugs in as well. That's a good tip, thanks.

knight0334 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2006, 04:11:02 AM »

The .223 is definately a better choice for someone like her. Like said above, the muzzleblast my become an issue though..

I'd try the 22" standard barrel over the lighter version.

I have a female cousin that is really on the petite side.. She hunts whitetail and other critters here in PA with a 22cal centerfire. Its the only thing she can handle, but does it well because she isn't intimidated by it's recoil. ...its just that my uncle and I have to load up specialty rounds for her to humanely take larger game.

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2006, 05:37:35 AM »

I roll my own so effective loads are not an issue. I was hoping, however, that she could shoot the 223 for a while and get used to a centerfire and THEN go back to the 243 maybe the following year for a chance at her first deer. I know that I can humanely kill a deer with 22 cal, I've done it numerous times, but I've also got 25+ years experiece at hunting whitetails with rifles. So, I think that I'll get a 223 (22") barrel, along with the extra hearing protection mentioned above and let her spend the next year building confidence and then try to go back to the 243 for the 2007 season and possibly her first shot at a deer. Thanks for the help.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2006, 05:44:44 AM »

Grouper:

I've seen a-lot of kids use some of these last year at the shooting range before deer-season..and there were some pretty small kids shooting them....I don't know how small your daughter is..but some of these kids were knee high to a grashopper if you know what I mean..

If your planning on letting her hunt..these will work..
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-Recoil.asp

I would look to get her a standard weight 308 barrel..couple that with the managed recoil loads..and really make the rifle fit her it should work just fine.Replace the recoil pad with a Limbsaver for starters..this will help tremendously..then get a Uncles Mike's neopreane shell holder and put some soft foam under it on the stock for her..it will raise her face off the stock..and the rifle won't rub her cheek that way..it will take all the sting out of shooting it...if you don't like that..you can use one of these too..http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=237314..I use them on all my trap guns..and they work great too..If recoil to her shoulder is still too much..Past Recoil makes a product specially for women shooters..that fits under their shirts..you might want to check them out for her..a-lot of the girls who shoot trap wear them..they are called the Heraean Shields..Also..if you relaod..the #48 Lyman Manual has several cast bullet loads that would be suitable for her to use as well...The 308 is a rifle she can grow into as well..and can bridge the gap nicely...between a youth gun..and a adult gun..while still being suitable to hunt deer with..

Hope this helps..

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2006, 05:59:46 AM »

Great suggestion, Mac!! I think I'll get me one of them Heraean shields so I can double stick tape it under my shirt and not have to wear that sissy Past Magnum pad!!

Tim

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00094360000

Here's a better pic than the one at Midsouth....

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2006, 06:33:12 AM »

That's a mighty suspicious v-neck Tee ya got on there Tim! :-D :-D

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2006, 06:43:01 AM »

I figured double stick tape would be better than asking my wife if I can borrow some of her underclothing, we know where that would go in her mind!!! :oops: I once read that panty hose was good with long underwear, but that's another story...... :roll:

Tim

Dean van Praotl · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2006, 06:48:00 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo

Great suggestion, Mac!! I think I'll get me one of them Heraean shields so I can double stick tape it under my shirt and not have to wear that sissy Past Magnum pad!!

I'll go on with bein' a sissy. I've never felt recoil during a hunting situation, but at the range (and especially on a bench) I can only manage a couple of shots before I start flinching. The only gun I have this problem with is my 1903 Springfield, but that sucker makes my shoulder into hamburger when I shoot it from a bench.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:07:14 AM »

Recoil management for bench shooting an NEF/H&R begins at home, as Mac alluded to, softening the blow to the cheek helps a lot, also, placing a dead mule or weight in the stock bolt hole can help immensely, lead shot or a lead filled pipe that can be removed for hunting is also a great recoil tamer. Sitting as upright as possible and not leaning into the rifle works well so that your upper body can moved backward with recoil instead of absorbing all of it. With proper steps taken, felt recoil can be reduced with even the heaviest of recoiling firearms/calibers. Lots of folks here don't like the recoil of the .45-70, specially with mid to upper loads and heavy bullets, but even those can be managed with a little forethought. The '06 is a lightweight in recoil compared to .45-70 loads from my 300gr Handi loads at 2200-2400fps to 525gr loads at 1800fps, recoil exceeds 375 H&H recoil levels, but shooting 40-50 rounds a day is no problem. :wink:

Tim

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Mac11700 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:22:18 AM »

This is for women shooters guys..Past also makes velcro on..or sew in pads for guys too..as does Kick-Ease.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=696894

Mac

grouper sandwich · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:33:02 AM »

Thanks guys, these are GREAT suggestions!

Mattkc · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2006, 09:56:19 AM »

I'm starting my son on a 357mag. Marlin carbine for deer hunting. I load XTP-FP's warm with Lil'Gun and it kills clean out to 125 yards. Almost no recoil and very little muzzle jump. The XTP's will give total penetration with a nice quarter sized exit wound. Don't use the XTP-HP's I shot a buck this year with my Ruger pistol. The shot was angled down through the neck and into the far shoulder. What a mess the bullet just wasted the shoulder. I think the 357 would be a little more forgiving on shot placement then the 223 and she would be less likely to develop a flinch.