I'm in - got my first Handi-Rifle

[Marcos]

Hi guys.  Been crusin' this site for some time and you convinced me that I NEED a Handi-Rifle.  Been a lead bullet shooter for years and I think these NEF rifles will be fun.  I just got a 30-30 to start with (lots of 30 cal moulds available) and will expand from there.  Unfortunately, upon initial cleaning of my new rifle I discovered that it has a bad bore just ahead of the chamber.    Rough and some pits !!    A call to H&R and a talk with a very nice lady will resolve the problem with a return to the factory for a replacement barrel and the addition of a .357 barrel.  Dissapointed that I couldn't shoot my rifle this weekend, but so it goes sometime.  Anyway... a couple of questions.

1.  Besides 30-30 and .357, which other cartridges would you suggest for lead bullets?  (I see that 45-70 is very popular.)

2.  Have any of you throated your bores ahead of the chamber to faciltate improved loading of lead?

3.  If I catch your disease and become a Handi-Holic is there any cure besides more Handis ?? (That would be okay!)

Thanks !!  You have a great site here !!      Marcos             

[stimpylu32]

Marcos

Welcome aboard , the 45/70 is a must have for the cast shooter also the 44 mag with its oversized bore is great for the guys that cast , they can get bullets that fit .  The 38/55 is also another good one for cast bullets .

As far as throating Quickdtoo has done most of his 45 cal. rifles if i remember correctly and no there is no knon cure but we do offer support here . 

[Datil]

 Marcos Welcome to Gbo's forums! you have caught the handi-holic fever,
 No cure just buy another handi. If you like to shoot cast bullets The
 45-70 is it. Every body needs a 45-70 or a B.C. Sorry to hear bore on
 the 30-30 is messed up, I am sure H&R will fix it up for you  Good luck
 Marv.

[Marcos]

Thanks Guys.  I guess a 45-70 will be next for sure.  Probably buy an entire new rifle.    I've shot 45-70s for years (trapdoors and such) and alway enjoyed that cartridge.  I'm thinking a 7 pound Handi is going to have impressive recoil !!  I'll keep loads down however so I shouldn't get tears in my eyes. 

As soon as I get my 30-30 back I'm going to break it in some and then try it  with a tapered schutzen style bullet and see what it will do.  I eventually want to try breach seating the bullets but will have to throat the barrel for sure.  I'll keep you posted on my success (never say failure !!) !!!    Marcos     

[cowboyup453]

Welcom aboard. The new 444 marlin and 45 colt might be good for cast when they get them out. Dont know how the 1in 38 twist on the 444 will work but with the right cast bullets it might be ok. As stated no cure unless you have a strong willpower to put it back if you pick one up at the gun store. These guys already convinced me I need a 45-70 so I got one. Now I need a 30-30 and so on. Best of luck whit your new disease.

[Dillohide]

I'm thinking a 7 pound Handi is going to have impressive recoil !!  I'll keep loads down however so I shouldn't get tears in my eyes,

There is a hollow in the stock behind the kick pad that guys fill with everything from BB's, lead, round balls and recoil reducers to weight the 45-70 down for bench shooting. I used 54 cal round balls and works real well. My recoil from a 300 gr bullet at about 2000 fps is not that bad with the stock weighted down. Take the weight out for hunting.

[Survivor]

I have a 30-06 Handi on its way now as well.  What are the first things I should look for when I get it out of the box?  How did you discover the bore problem while cleaning?  Sometimes I worry about these guns.  I hope for no problems of course.   :-\THNX

[ONE HOLE 4570]

45-70 is a great next choice. Good luck with the 30-30

[Marcos]

Hello Survivor.  The bore problem with my 30-30 was very obvious after I completed initial cleaning in preperation for a range day (that never happened ).  Upon completion of the cleaning I examined the bore to be sure that I had done a good job.  At the muzzle, the bore was bright and appeared perfect but from the breach, the bore was quite rough and I could actually see a number of pits (tiny shadows).  It's easy to check the condition of your bore by holding your barrel up to a moderately bright light, rotating it slowly while examining it full length.  Two important things here: Examine your bore with a MODERATELY bright light.  If you hold your barrel up to, say, a 100 watt bulb the extreme brightness of the light will  make it difficult to accurately assess the bore.  Hold your barrel slightly away from the light and you will be able to see the bores surface condition much better.  Secondly, you have to learn to adjust your eye focus so that you are looking first at the chamber, then just ahead of the chamber and finally about mid barrel.  Then swap ends and view from the muzzle to just below the muzzle and finally mid bore.  This can be tricky.  Try it with your glasses on (I'm old and need eye help) and with them off for clearest vision.  You'll find the best method for you.  Learning to examine a rifle bore is very important in out sport not only for initial examination but also to check out effectiveness in cleaning, possible leading, or copper buildup.  Also, ALWAYS check your bore before shooting to be sure that you don't have some kind of bore obstruction!  That's a quick way to make a good day very very bad !!  Well, I've rambled here a bit but I hope this has been helpful.  Bore condition is extremely important for accuracy and safety.  Nuff said.  Marcos
           

[Survivor]

THNX Marcos