N.E.F HANDI 223

[kenawell1]

New memeber.
 HI my name is Dave. I livw in Altoona PA. I have the N.E.F. HANDI 223. Now the second letter in my serial number is T  Ive read that the T production started in 2003. Now How can i find out the Twist. My problem is Im sure you know so far I havent found a paticular factory bullet that shot good. A 63 grain keyholed and would not hold any type of a group. So i bought some Wolf 55 grain HP'S they did a little better, i probably could have dialed them in a little better also. My old lady picked me up some federal 55 grain fmj they did ok once again only shot at like 50-65 yard. I did not try to dial it in like most of my rifles b.c that was not the bullet i ulimately wwant to use . so i had a friend give me some 55 grian psp bullets. So now I'm going to try loading some loads up and see what If I can get the grain of bullet/powder figured out that this gun likes.

 I read an artical that said they made from 2003 0n variations of 1-12 twist and 1-9 twist. also someone else said something about is it ejector style or somthing else i forget what the other thing was. How can i tell what twist this is so I dont waste my time trying/loadng all of these bullets and wasteing them if the gun wont shoot a certain grain because of twist.  Please help me get this twist dealt with!
                                                                      DAve

P.S. FRIENDS SHOOT G-HOGS AT 350 WITH NO PROBLEM. THEY HAVE THEIRS FIGURED AND ALOT OF PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE ACCURATE.
                                                                             

[mechanic]

Great to have you on board Dave.  There are a great bunch of guys here, and very knowledgeable.  I'm not far from a "newbie" myself, but I've learned a ton on this site. 

I'll tell you what the experts here will tell you, spend some time in the FAQ's.  Just about every Handi question you might have is answered there, along with some great accurizing tips.  I don't have a 223, but my 243 went from a 4" to a 1" gun by following those tips.  In the hands of a real shooter, it would do better than that!

Ben

[Dustyvance]

'03  Is a 1in12 twist rate its in the FAQ's

[trotterlg]

The classic factory round for a Handi is the 45gr winchester white box ammo from walmart, they seem to universally shoot good in these rifles.  Larry

[kenawell1]

kinda confused i was told also that they made 1-12 and also made 1-9.  now is there a way to tell somthing about the ejector or extractor?

[quickdtoo]

Welcome Dave! H&R didn't start making 1:9" barrels until 2005, and then only in the fluted barrels. Read the FAQs twist rate info, it pretty much tells the story. If the rifle is second hand, it could always have a late model accessory barrel which could very well be 1:9", but as stated in the FAQs, the only for sure way to know what the twist rate is for anything made in the last few years is to check it with a rod as described below the twist rates in the FAQs.  Generally 1:12" will shoot 55gr and lighter bullets, but there are a few exceptions, 1:9" barrels will shoot the same bullets plus those a bit heavier.

Tim

[the lone gunman]

Hi Dave,

I live not far away in Dubois ,Pa. I picked up a handi 223 with heavy barrel at Grice Gun shop about a month ago. I really like it, have only shot 62gr CTFBs in it so far and not with the best rest setup,just off the hood of my jeep. Part of the fun is finding what they like. the 62s for me are in the 1 1/2" to 2" range at 100 yds. I want to try some lighter bullets soon. And some tips from FAQ section.

[zoner]

if the 55 gr bullet shot better than the 63 i would try a 50 grainer next

[Default]

Like Tim said,

 The 1 in 12 twist 223 i have loves 55 gr Hornady V-Maxes (bought some 50 gr bullets to try for trying sake and good price)

 My handy bull barrel 223 1 in 9 twist has been fair with 55 gr projectiles , but best results were repeatable dime size groups and smaller with the Hornady TAP 75gr ammunition

 The pictures below are from these two different 223 rifle twists....  The target is the result of the 1 in 12 , The hog is the result of the 1 in 9 with the afore mentioned 75 gr TAP round

[petemi]

Zoner, my .22-250 seems to like lighter bullets also.  Within the next couple of days I should be done with the "new" .357 and get back to work on the '250.  I want it shooting sub-MOA and know exactly where it's going out to 400 yards, so I've got work to do.  My biggest problem is I need a spotter.  I can barely see a .22 hole in a target at 100 yards, let alone 400.  I have to have some excavating done this Spring, so while the equipment is here, I'm going to have him dig a spotter pit.  It's all sugar sand, so it should stay well drained.

Default, nice shootin' and nice hog

Pete

[Default]

Thanks Pete,

 Forgot to mention that that target is a 3 shot group too 

[chipmunk]

My .223 ultra shot about like you described with the heavier bullets, but will shoot through 1 hole with Hornady 40gr VMax factory rounds.  Most of the time I get not just 3 touching holes, but one single (slightly enlarged) hole at 100 yards.  This is without applying any of the suggestions on the FAQ's yet, except I polished the barrel a bit.  Those rounds are a bit expensive in my mind, but after seeing the groups I've decided to use them for groudhog hunting until I find some primers.

Good luck