I'm looking at which H&R Handi Rifle barrels to keep and which to sell.
Are you saying you already have barrels in both calibers and are just picking between the two.
I looking for a light shooting round that is economical to reload.
This round will be used for punching paper and learning to reload bottleneck rifle cartridges.
As previously commented on neither round is preferred for paper punching. However depending on how much accuracy you want I imagine you can work up so good loads.
Not going to be hunting with it. If I do start hunting again it will be for squirrels and rabbits.
30-30 of course is way too much round for bunnies. Subsonic 300 Blackout probably would not damage too much meat.
What centerfire do you recommend for target shooting at 100 yards or less? I've been looking for a 22 Hornet barrel but haven't found one yet.
22 Hornet will not leave much game and brass is more expensive.
.223 is widely used in target shooting and all of the bugs have been worked out. Reloading data and information is commonly available to help you work up loads. It is way too much for squirrels and bunnies but is finding acceptance as a deer round.
30-30. And Winchester 94 just go in hand in hand. No reason why it wouldn't be just fine in a single shot. It is easy to reload and like the .223 you should not have any trouble finding reloading data and advice.
300 Blackout. No first hand experience...yet. I have a AR build planned for the winter. I am looking forward to working with it.
OK. Final choice (drum roll please).
32-20
The 32-20 will do everything very well.
Recoil...what recoil?
Economical...my standard load is 4.5 grains of AA-5 with 115 gr. cast lead bullet.
Paper punching...I have won numerous matches out to 100 yards against all comers.
It is easy to reload. The case mouths are a bit on the thin side but I don't find it any harder to reload than the .223. The only time I crunch a case mouth is when I get in too big of a hurry and don't make sure I have the round completely seated in the shell holder. (Actually I have this problem with all of the cartridges I reload on my single stage press. I tend to get sloppy when I get tired meaning it is time to take a break).
Brass is easy to find (at least pre banic).
With cast bullets it is a great squirrel and bunny round. Back 50 -70 years ago it was a consider more than adequate as a deer round. History repeats itself as the .223 is finding acceptance and is becoming legal as a deer found.