Big Bore on the Cheap: Handi Rifle Questions

[The_Next_Generation]

Hey everyone,

So I came across a H&R Handi Rifle in 45/70 (the basic one with a buckhorn sight and a 22" bbl) for $170 and jumped on it. The guy even threw in a box of Buffalo Bore 350gr JSP at that price (but that's because I had to wait for him to go back home and get the right rifle...long story). It also turned out that it has never been fired, despite some very light handling marks on the left side of the receiver and a small scratch on the end of the barrel.

Needless to say, I think I did well. But I have a few questions regarding upgrades and accessories, as well as the overall reputation of these rifles.

I am looking to use this for hunting and as a range toy, so I was thinking about getting a barrel in .223 with open sights and a scope rail, as well as a 12ga barrel for it.

My questions are:

-How accurate are the .223 barrels? Should I get a different caliber (30-06 or 308?) that may be more accurate with this setup? The point of the second rifle barrel is to have cheaper-ish range fodder, but accuracy is my main concern. I can shoot 1.25" groups at 200 yards consistently, would a fitted barrel from H&R be capable of this accuracy?

-I really do not like buckhorn sights. I've never been able to shoot very well with them (maybe someone could chime in with a link or something to tell me how to use them properly as I have not been able to find anything online). Who makes good replacement sights for the Handis? I have a William's on a 1903 that is real slick, but I'd like to know if there are other options for the Handi.

-What is the best way to shoot these rifles? Is there a hold or a certain spot on the fore-end (maybe remove it for a free-float? lol that'd get some looks on the shooting line ) that the rifle should be shot from to yield greater accuracy?

-What other mods can I do to this gun to make it 'better'? I got it cheap so I'd like to put some money into it and keep it for a looooooooong time...

Of course, I'll be loading up some holy-black loads for the 45-70 bbl I can't wait to see all the smoke blowing out the end! Maybe I should get a muzzle brake for it? A braked 45-70 shooting BP would look so cool....

Any other input and/or opinions are always welcome!

Much appreciated,
-TNG

 

[limpingbear]

I have an H&R rifle in 223. be careful and if you can order a rifling twist rate I would order one of the faster twist barrels. In order to get mine to shoot worth a darn I had to use light bullets going really fast. I was using a 36 grain varmint grenade in front of 31 grains of TAC. There was just enough room left in the case neck to seat the bullet.
My rifle wont shoot anything heavier than 40 grain bullets worth a crap.

 

[Hummer70]

The original production barrels were not stress relieved and some had a tendancy to string shots in a line. Mine would shoot a 1" group 12" high for three shots at 100 yards. They replaced the barrels and it shot about 2" at 100 which I was disappointed with as I knew guys that had them that shot 1" at 100 yards.

When Remington bought them out they changed several things, the most important was that the barrels are now stress relieved.

223 would be OK if that is what you want. Personally I would go with a 308 barrel for longer range capability.

 

[splithoof]

My daughter was given one in .243....so I sent the receiver back to the factory for fitting of .223 and .308 barrels. The .223 shoots into 1.75" at 200 (the zero distance) using quality reloads and a Leupold optic on 12X. The .308 barrel does about the same with 168 match bullets used for my GSR.
I use a Harris bipod, all grouping done from prone.
The forearm holds the action together with the hinge section of the frame; I have never seen anyone attempt to shoot it without.
You will like the hammer extension, it makes operation easier with a scope mounted. A good sling helps make it a dandy hunting rifle for a younger person.
Proper follow through is a must; the lock-time is measured in days, but that is typical of many exposed hammer rifles.

 

[Kerf]

M. L. McPherson's book, titled: Accurizing the Factory Rifle has a section on the handi rifle which might be worth looking into.

 

[Klusterbuck]

you need to go here...

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php

Whole section of this forum devoted to H&R / NEF products....

I've learned most of what I know about these guns here...

 

[TwoEyedJack]

I have one in .223. I think we got it about 5-6 years ago. Accuracy is mediocre with 55 gr. FMJ, horrible with 62 gr. SS109, and adequate (1.25" for 5 shots at 100 yds.) with 40 gr. ballistic tips. Mine has a sticky chamber. I have polished it with 0000 steel wool followed by a tight rag with Flitz metal polish. It still sticks sometimes. When we take it varmint shooting we have to bring a cleaning rod to punch out the ones that stick. One of these issues that is small enough to not excite you about sending it back, but annoying enough to make you pick a different gun off the rack.

 

[Deer_Freak]

I was interested in a handi rifle chambered in 357 mag. Then I discovered the new handi rifle has no iron sights. I won't buy any rifle that doesn't have iron sights, especially a pistol caliber rifle is a short range proposition.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

I think I might just stick to the 45-70 barrel then as finding one of these in 12ga is really easy around here and would be cheaper than getting this one fitted for another barrel.

Maybe I'll just sell it at a small profit and get a Ruger American in 308 for my long-range plinking purposes

Nothing but good things about those guns so far! Accuracy and trigger wise at least.