Question about Handi Rifle

[GRAMPS]

Thinking about buying one of these to deer hunt with next year. Anyone have one and what is your opinion of the rifle?

 

[AllOutdoors]

Of the 2 i have owned, they were both accurate.

 

[redblood]

all i know is they sure end up in the classifieds alot

 

[DCA-DEER]

Ive got one pretty accurate

 

[corymhoward]

Very reliable and tack drivers

 

[LY]

I've got two in youth models .223 and .243. Both shoot great, cloverleafs at 100yds.

 

[Gravey]

I've got two in youth models .223 and .243. Both shoot great, cloverleafs at 100yds.

What he said but mine aren't youth models. I sold the .223 because I never used it. My son hunts with the .243 and it shoots good.

 

[Blucollar]

They are a bit (hit or miss)!
If you get a good one they can be very enjoyable.
I had one I couldn't get to group for nothing.

They sure are a very, well, Handi size.

Over all I like em!

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

I have one in a 204 that i really like

 

[KPH]

Had a man tell me one time that it takes a thousand rounds to get the dang thag shooting right the it will cange on you. I use to have some but never again they are too finiky. Getabolt gun and never look back.

 

[W C]

Got my son one in 30-30 for his first deer rifle when he was 10. That was 17 years ago. His wife shot it 2 weeks ago in preparation for her first ever deer hunt. It's still a tack driver. Personally I've never known of one to have issues. Great economy rifle at a fair price. YMMV

 

[EastTNHunter]

I had a .243 lightweight model that would not hold its poi. I used 3 different scopes on it, and would occasionally get good groups out of it, but often my poi would wander while shooting it, or change between range sessions.

On the other hand, I had a NEF Sidekick ML that I wish I never would have sold to my brother.

 

[hankll]

I have no experience with hunting or hunting rifles....and only just recently given some thought to the sport as a way to bond with my Grandson....I usually just fish...so that isn't exciting to him, setting there throwing bait into the water and watching....But holding a rifle, well that is different.....but you still have to wait.....

So my question after looking at the Handi Rifle, and reading about it and the different calibers offered, which would be the best Deer rifle....I don't know what is a good caliber for deer, or what a 13 year old might be best to handle.....and still bag a deer. I was thinking (That is a dangerous idea, without real hunting knowledge)that .243 or .270 would be good for him, or even a 30-06.....

What would your suggestions be? And for a guy like me is a 7mm a good rifle for a beginner.....

 

[corymhoward]

A rifle is a rifle when you are starting out......being able to "handle" a rifle is a heck of a thing....I was 10 when I got a .270 and killed my first deer with a 3" 12 ga slug the same year. I weighed about 70#. My daddy made me shoot the guns even tho most people say they'd be unsuitable.....they were fine and worked out for me. Having said that, on the other side of the coin you don't want to ruin a kid either making him shoot rifles with excessive recoil....try some buddies rifles out in different calibers. I've recently started using a 25/06 and am becoming a fan as its also suitable for any shooter. There are better rifles than the handi rifle but it will without a doubt do the job. Personally, I'd start with a .308....you'll need to shoot many rounds to get used to shooting and the ammo is on the cheaper end. Good luck!

 

[statelineRUT]

The Handi Rifle in wood stock chambered in 243 running Federal Fusion is the cats meow for whitetail. I killed over 50 deer with that very combo and never had one go over 20 yards. Awesome little guns.

 

[KPH]

With me it is not that they will not kill deer for I have killed deer with them. It is they will not shoot a good pattern most of them I had I could have shoot abetter pattern with a shotgun and I did try different loads. I finly wised up and said I want to do better.

 

[Deer Assassin]

I have killed deer with a single shot 30 30 out to 279 yds with one
it was very accurate killing several deer

had a 308 that was real finikey it would shoot 1.2 moa even with hand loads killed a few deer with it finally found a load that would shoot .750

my 280 rem is light out shooting .5 moa all day long killed about 30 or so deer with it love it
heck i have busted 3 at a time with it as fast as you can a bolt gun

for the money they are a hoot
i wish the made a 460 s&w barrel for one

 

[hankll]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I should consider my G'son in not more than a .270? He does weigh in at about 85#.

For me, I was thinking 7mm Mauser since a friend has had enormous hunting results and kills this year, has a full freezer of deer meat. But he has a WaffenDeutch barrel(think that is right), and I guess it is considered a superior sniper type rifle. He has it with a Polymer stock and a nice scope. His shooting skills are probably pretty good, but I was impressed with his killing results. His description, is the deer usually fold up and don't even move. He uses a 140 grain Federal soft tip. His rifle is about a $1400 rifle from what he told me. I don't have deep enough pockets for one like that, but I was interested in the knock down factor of the 7mm rounds.

 

[pressfit]

I recommend a .308 for both of you.. IMO there is not a better deer round out there.. having said that.. my opinion comes from a year of research on the round.. personally, I just got one this year, (the 308 not the handi rifle) shot 4 deer and all 4 dropped in the tracks.. as far has the handi rifle, i have a youth model 223.. its a tack driver..

 

[Deer Assassin]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I should consider my G'son in not more than a .270? He does weigh in at about 85#.

For me, I was thinking 7mm Mauser since a friend has had enormous hunting results and kills this year, has a full freezer of deer meat. But he has a WaffenDeutch barrel(think that is right), and I guess it is considered a superior sniper type rifle. He has it with a Polymer stock and a nice scope. His shooting skills are probably pretty good, but I was impressed with his killing results. His description, is the deer usually fold up and don't even move. He uses a 140 grain Federal soft tip. His rifle is about a $1400 rifle from what he told me. I don't have deep enough pockets for one like that, but I was interested in the knock down factor of the 7mm rounds.

7/08 or 280 great rounds

 

[AllOutdoors]

7-08.

 

[rukiddin]

I've had two. A 25-06 that was a killing machine and was scary accurate...The other was a 35 whelen. Headspace was too long and sent back. No bugs with'em. I'd own another one. Their customer service was great.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

My 270 shoots great. After shooting a lever action for many years there was a learning cruve. I could not shoot good groups for a while and thought it was the gun. After I shot a few boxes I can cover the shot holes with a 1/2 dollar now.

 

[fishboy1]

Handi in 7-08

They can be wonky out of the box. 3" groups was the best I could get. somebody suggested the handi forum on graybeards.

A little sanding of the stock to relieve the barrel pressure and a $.75 washer and it shoots .95" groups. Total cost to modify $1.75 and about 30 minutes of tinkering. Wish I still had it.

 

[lpo1981]

I have a 308 in the H&R single shot and love it, Nikon 3-9x40 on top and its a tack driver at a 100yds. Pretty much all I hunt with now other than my old 30-30.. I also have a NEF 243 handi rifle with a bill barrel and I had it shooting excellent groups out to 200yds... My opinion the single shot NEF's and H&R's are excellent little rifles at a good price.. For you though I'd go with a 308, excellent all around cartilage...

 

[348Winchester]

I have had one in 270 for 16 years. Killed lots of deer, a few bears, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, dogs, and some groundhogs with it. It has been an excellent rifle. Bought another one in 45-70 and added the 50 cal. muzzleloader barrel to it. Have taken about three deer with the 45-70 and one bear. With the 50 cal I have killed a bunch of deer. Handi-Rifles are the best deal going for the money. The are simple, rugged, and accurate.

For a child's rifle, strongly consider one chambered in a pistol caliber like 44 magnum. There is very little recoil and 44's are deadly on deer. There is the added benefit of shooting 44 special ammo out of it for those who are extremely recoil sensitive. Also choose the wooden stock over the trendy black plastic for these reasons; wood is heavier and more dense so it absorbs more shock which further dampens recoil. Also, wood is much quieter. It will not make unnatural and loud noises when it is scraped by a branch or popped inadvertantly with some object such as a zipper. Finally, wood is simply more pleasing to the eye than those Mattel toy plastic stocks or, God forbid, the cheesy-ass camo stocks which are both terribly ugly and totally unnecessary.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I agree with 348Winchester. A Handi Rifle in 44 MAgnum or even 357 MAgnum is the way to go for a kids gun. The Handi-Rifle is light weight and is going to kick in any of the real rifle chamberings. The 44 would be preferable but a 357 with heavy bullets fired froma rifle barrel is an acceptable deer round.

I have one with a 50cal muzzle loader barrel that I've killed a couple of deer with. It's reasonably accurate and has a pretty good trigger. A friend has about half a dozen handi rifles and loves them. They are a great value for a basic rifle.

 

[rj112275]

I had a 270 that killed deer just fine. I never spent much money on a good scope, and didn't need too.