NEF Handi-Rifles. Sound off if you love 'em

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Dave R

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Now that whistle pig season is over here in Idaho (think 1/4 scale Prairie Dogs) I am reminiscing about how much fun I had with my Handi-Rifle (an Ultra-Varmit) in .223 this season.

Sure, its not as tacticool as my buddy's AR-15 with a can, but it shoots sub-MOA, has a 24" barrel in a short package, and is so beefy I can't imagine having any trouble with it in my lifetime.

Its easy to clean (no action to clean!) Requires no fancy care or handling.

It just puts the bullets where I want 'em with low maintenance, no muss, no fuss. And it was under $200.

What's not to love?
 
Mines the Survivor model in a heavy barrel .223 (simular in some ways to the ulta-varmit in stock style but a non-fluted barrel)

A plan of mine is to shorten the 24 inch barrel on this gun and flute it to lighten the gun. I have owned a couple of the handi-rifles in the past and they are great shooters - generaly sub MOA accuracy and the last one was very near 1/2 MOA on a regular basis. I haven't gotten to the sight in on my present gun. I also paid about $200 for this one and they are worth every nickel of that IMO .

I also plan on a future barrel purchase in .308 (heavy barrel)
 
I got to shoot one in .50SW magnum and it was a hoot. Recoil felt like a shotgun with trap loads and those half inch holes are very satisfying.
 
I bought one in .500 S&W Mag to use up some handloads (about 300 of them) that proved to have a bit too much recoil in a revolver (they split the web of my hand). I figured that spending $180 and getting a cool rifle was better than pulling bullets.
 
I figured that spending $180 and getting a cool rifle was better than pulling bullets.
Click to expand...

I like the way you think :D

Those 500gr magnum loads do hurt a bit out of the revolver. I know that there are people who don't mind that kind of recoil, but it's not my idea of fun.

I got my FIL some Cor Bon 500 SW special "light target loads" that are 250g and use a shorter case. Still waiting to see how those work out.
 
I really like my 30/30 beater. I load the "pointy" bullets (called by my daughter) and get greater ranges over the regular 30/30 ammo. But like the "thud" of the SPs on a deer!

I had a .223, but it was the standard and it was a crap shoot if you was going to get three, ten, or twenty goods shots before the groups went to hell. Everyone that has the HB version is quite happy.

My next Handi is going to be a .204.

22lr
 
I have two points about them (I have 4 - .223, 7x57, 280 Remington and 30-30.) I love to hunt with single shot rifles, and with these four, I have about as much invested as a Ruger No. 1 with scope. (don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE a Ruger No. 1, but I get more "bang for my buck" this way.

The points - the 30-30 gets 1 1/2" groups, and the .223 standard barrel shoots just slightly better than my friend's Rem 700 VLS? (VSS? V something S...) with the same ammo he uses, and it cost me $145...
 
I've owned them in the past. Sometimes they can shoot unbelievably good groups all day long. Then the next time out they spray shotgun patterns and nothing you do will tighten them up.
 
handy handi's

got two. a 17hmr 22inch heavy barrel and a 280 rem 26 incher. love em both. thinking of sending the 17 back and having a 22 mag barrel fitted.
 
I have a HB .243 with a Banner 6-18x50:D
I love this rifle I mean love it. I wish I shot as well as the rifle does.
I'm pretty comfortable with the trigger on mine but I'm no Whitefeather either
 
I have the Handi-Rifle's ancestor, an old H&R Topper 158 with a 20 gauge barrel and a .22 Hornet barrel. I bought it used about two years ago for around $200, including an old, steel-tubed Weaver K-4.

The Hornet barrel shoots decently, about 1.5 MOA. The limiting factor is the heavy trigger. I shot the 20 gauge barrel for the first time last weekend and it works well to bust clays.
 
The Handi's trigger is a hit or miss deal. The one on my 30/30 is light and crisp, with little over travel. I wish my ACCU-Trigger was as good.

My .223 standard had a "Ruger Legal" trigger on it. So did the 17M2 I had. I was told I could send it back to get the trigger redone. But I think that should have been done at the factory. And after taking two recievers apart to fix the the trigger, I had to sell them for parts.

They are strong sturdy weapons, but I like my Rossi better.

22lr
 
So in general, how are the triggers on the Handi-Rifles from the factory?
Click to expand...
My Ultra-Varmit has one of the better factory triggers I own. It was great right out of the box. Must've got lucky.
 
Love 'em, want one badly now... Waiting for my shotgun to return with its new barrels, then the next plan is probably a Handi to get sent off for extra barrels as well. The Handi plan will include barrels in the following:

.45-70 Gov't
.204 Ruger
.22 Hornet
Something in the .30 range Don't they do a .35 Whelen? :cool:
Maybe .500 Smith
Maybe (okay, probably) .30-30
Maybe .357 Mag

I'd love a barrel in 7.62x54R, but it'd have to be a custom job...

A .22lr barrel would be good...

I'd love a Buffalo Classic, love that long barrel and old style stock. I suspect a hefty recoil pad (leather, gotta look the part) would be in order along with an old style peep sight...


gp911
 
Too bad the Buffalo Classic doesn't come in 45LC or the CR-45LC doesn't come with a 24" barrel. I would run out and buy Handie Rifle today if I could get a straight stocked one in 357 with a 24" barrel. Since they don't make I am looking foran old Topper with the extra barrel in 357.
 
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