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Post by HighCotton on Aug 30, 2010 16:08:09 GMT -5
I might have to make a decision before I get much feedback here(which is why I shot a quick call to my buddy, whitetail1), but here is the situation. I got a call from a fella that needs help on his Harley. He has a trip scheduled and is freaked out a bit that his tranny is going. I may be able to fix him up - won't know until I see the bike (which is possibly tonight). He has a few guns for trade as he is strapped a bit for cash with the trip and whatever else.
One of the guns I'm interested in is the H&R handi rifle in 44 mag. I don't have many more details yet. What, if any, problems should I look for? I only plan to trade for about $200 worth of labor. Any thoughts or concerns?
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Post by parson on Aug 30, 2010 16:16:27 GMT -5
Some of the ones made prior to 2007 had oversized bores. From that point on the problem is supposedly corrected. They're pretty simple guns. If the bore looks good and it locks up tight, it ought to be OK.
I have a .44 mag and a .357 mag, I like them OK.
Should be worth the $200 labor trade off if in good shape.
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Post by Decatur on Aug 30, 2010 16:16:48 GMT -5
I would just make sure the action opens and closes properly, I'd crack it open and inspect the bore, I'd shoot if you can, if not, on a lot of single shots you can open the action and hold your finger over the firing pin hole and pull the trigger to make sure it's there and working. Don't know if you can do this on Handi-rifles tho. I'd also cock it, unloaded of course, and smack the butt on the ground to make sure it doesn't go off too easy.
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Post by parson on Aug 31, 2010 17:56:59 GMT -5
What's the verdict?
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Post by HighCotton on Aug 31, 2010 18:50:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the help guys. All went well. I was able to get the bike set up properly. He had just bought the Harley and needed a little "education" on the "sounds" of the bike. I spent a little time adjusting his primary, belt, and clutch and he thought he had a new machine! It's great when things work out (don't always go that way!!!) I ended up with a nice package deal as seen below including a box of ammo and Limbsaver recoil pad. I got it out for a quick shoot this afternoon and rough-dialed the scope in at 50 yards. We're close to 2 inch groups. I probably only spent 10 minutes so I need to get out and work with some different loads, distances, etc. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied. I was mainly concerned about the scope since I don't even know what brand it is - all I find is a "made in china" sticker. So far, it's locked on and solid. We'll see how she does. I'm mostly excited about the fact that my son will have a gun to deer hunt with since he moved back to Indiana from Virginia this year. Basically, I don't think I could have gone wrong for a little time, grease, and some bloody knucles.   |
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Post by JBDiNos on Aug 31, 2010 19:50:45 GMT -5
That's the scope that comes on it when you buy it from Gander Mtn. It's a package deal for 350.00. I bought the 250 .44 mag for my son and love the gun.
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Post by huxbux on Aug 31, 2010 20:40:00 GMT -5
Just picked up one of those at GM on Sunday for my twelve year old. On sale and a $10 off coupon brought it down to under $300. I'll probably swap out the scope for something better and slap that one on a .22 rimfire maybe. We put about 20 rounds through it to get it close to zero and get my grandson comfortable with it. Didn't want to do too much first time out and have him develop a flinch. I was pleasantly surprised by the trigger which was fairly light for a rifle built in these times (i'm guessing about 4 lbs) and pretty crisp for being brand new.
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Post by Decatur on Aug 31, 2010 21:45:59 GMT -5
Maybe they've done some work on their triggers? Good deal guys!
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Post by parson on Sept 1, 2010 6:12:51 GMT -5
Don't know if you've ever been to graybeardoutdoors.com but there;s a Handi forum there that has a wealth of info on tweaking these guns.
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Post by Sasquatch on Sept 1, 2010 15:23:26 GMT -5
I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Their slug-guns are hard to beat accuracy-wise by anyone, and the bang for the buck is IMO unsurpassed. I imagine their .44 is about the same.
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Post by savagehead on Sept 1, 2010 17:46:38 GMT -5
I just bought one for my daughter. $250 out the door.Marlin currently make the barrels for the Handi-Rifles.the oversized bore issue is a thing of the past.I will have a full report by the weekends end. I got a chance to shoot it.She is a keeper!Dont be afraid to try different ammo.I was holding a .5 in group until I let up on hold pressure on the 8 shot group.I will be seeing what she does @100yds here soon and let you know..   |
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Post by gwinnman on Sept 20, 2010 10:09:50 GMT -5
I just got a single shot 44 mag. I'm shooting Hornandy Leverevolution 300grain bullets. Its topped with a Bushnell 3X9 scope.
What kind of effective range will I have with this gun?
I went 300 grains because my son is going to be hunting for the first time so I'm think 50 yards maybe 75 at the most. Do I need that heavy of a bullet?
If I go lighter bullet weight will it still have the energy to bring a deer down at 100yards or further.
How high should I have it at 50 yards to hit dead on at 100 yards. Its 2 inches high right now. Havent shot at 100 yard yet.
I guess I'm just asking for any info about the overall performance on the range and in the woods on live deer ie... blood trail, hit shoulder, etc. I'm more of a bow guy who gets out the 12 gauge once in awhile.
Good luck to everyone this season.
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Post by hornharvester on Sept 20, 2010 14:07:09 GMT -5
I just got a single shot 44 mag. I'm shooting Hornandy Leverevolution 300grain bullets. Its topped with a Bushnell 3X9 scope. What kind of effective range will I have with this gun? I went 300 grains because my son is going to be hunting for the first time so I'm think 50 yards maybe 75 at the most. Do I need that heavy of a bullet? If I go lighter bullet weight will it still have the energy to bring a deer down at 100yards or further. How high should I have it at 50 yards to hit dead on at 100 yards. Its 2 inches high right now. Havent shot at 100 yard yet. I guess I'm just asking for any info about the overall performance on the range and in the woods on live deer ie... blood trail, hit shoulder, etc. I'm more of a bow guy who gets out the 12 gauge once in awhile. Good luck to everyone this season. Range 150 - 200 yards. 240 grain bullets are great for whitetails and have plenty of energy. If you plan on shooting 100 yards then shoot the gun at that distance and see how it performs. I think you will be surprised how good it will shoot. 240 grain Winchester white box ammo shoots very good out of these guns. h.h. |
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Post by parson on Sept 20, 2010 15:14:26 GMT -5
I hand load 240 gr. jhp bullets over max load of 296. They all touch at 50 yards. Haven't had opportunity to get to a longer range.
Also, Handi rifles typically shoot better after 50-100 rounds are put through them.
I was surprised at the kick these little rifles give you. I sure felt it in the old shoulder after 20 or so shots!
I also have one in 357 that I've reamed to Max. I'll likely hunt with it this year.
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Post by huxbux on Sept 20, 2010 16:11:24 GMT -5
I just got a single shot 44 mag. I'm shooting Hornandy Leverevolution 300grain bullets. Its topped with a Bushnell 3X9 scope. What kind of effective range will I have with this gun? I went 300 grains because my son is going to be hunting for the first time so I'm think 50 yards maybe 75 at the most. Do I need that heavy of a bullet? If I go lighter bullet weight will it still have the energy to bring a deer down at 100yards or further. How high should I have it at 50 yards to hit dead on at 100 yards. Its 2 inches high right now. Havent shot at 100 yard yet. I guess I'm just asking for any info about the overall performance on the range and in the woods on live deer ie... blood trail, hit shoulder, etc. I'm more of a bow guy who gets out the 12 gauge once in awhile. Good luck to everyone this season. I'd go with a lighter bullet. The heavier ones are not necessary and will probably not be as accurate. |
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Post by single_shooter on Sept 20, 2010 20:41:20 GMT -5
I knew a website that was run by a guy who specialized in these things. He was taking factory H&R rifles and getting benchrest accuracy out of them. He does trigger jobs, laps barrels and everything else it takes to make them accurate. I think his shop was named cold mountain or something like that.
As far as a round to use I use the Hornady 240gr. XTP factory rounds in my Encore with a 20 inch barrel and they are seriously devastating. We got 4 deer in 2 days with this tound and none ran more than 20 yards after hit. On one smaller doe my son got (about a 40 yard shot thru ribcage) the exit wound looked just about large enough to fit my fist through!!!
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