NEF 22 Mag Sportster performance

[Davemuzz]

I purchased one of these 22 mag's specifically for shootin fox earlier this year. Since it was near the end of the season, I only had a few chances to take the gun out but I'm sure it will do it's job next season. It's short, light and easy to handle and I mounted a 3-9 50mm objective lens scope with a lighted reticle on it (since I hunt those critters at 5:00 am with a red lens light).

However, this time of year I have been taking it out on groundhog excursions and using it when the field is under 100 yards (or the max is 100 yards). I'm really impressed with the accuracy of this gun. It seems to like Winchester 40 grain hollow points, and the groundhogs seem to not like 'em. Of the 5 that I have shot with it, only 1 had required a second shot because of my poor shot placement, and I will admit that I did miss one. And I can't blame that on the gun. But I came back the next day and he met another Winchester 40 grain.

Nice gun. I did give it the "trigger job" with a dremmel and flitz.

Dave.

[handirifle]

Dave
Some questions on your sportster.  I want a 22mag but dont want one that's not accurate.  You mention yours is accurate, can you be more specific please?  Are 1/2" groups at 50yds close with this rifle?  I want to use mine for bobcat calling up close.

I see you mounted a scope so I assume the SPORTSTER barrel is already drilled and tapped for scope?  You didn't have to do it yourself did you (the drilling)?

Any pics?

Is it an ejector model or extractor?  I like the extractors but not on a rimfire.

Thanks, glad you like yours.

[ironglow]

 
   Handi;
  I bought my Sportster about 3 years ago (as a .22 mag) light barrel with factory mounted scope rail.  I later bought the .17 HRM bull barrel and then standandard .22 LR.. 

  My NEFs are all drilled & tapped for scope..I believe that is regular practice..except on lightweight shotgun barrels.

   Mine has the ejector..from what I understand, if you want an ejector rimfire..you better hurry..because theyb will be switching over.

  Perhaps Mac or Tim can help...

[quickdtoo]

Handi,

ALL current production H&R rifle barrels are drilled and tapped for a scope rail, even those that come with sights as standard. No one as yet has reported an extractor equipped rimfire or shotgun.

Tim

[Davemuzz]

Dave
Some questions on your sportster.  I want a 22mag but dont want one that's not accurate.  You mention yours is accurate, can you be more specific please?  Are 1/2" groups at 50yds close with this rifle?  I want to use mine for bobcat calling up close.

I see you mounted a scope so I assume the SPORTSTER barrel is already drilled and tapped for scope?  You didn't have to do it yourself did you (the drilling)?

Any pics?

Is it an ejector model or extractor?  I like the extractors but not on a rimfire.

Thanks, glad you like yours.

Handi,

I can't tell you the groups at 50 yards as I have not shot a 50 yard target. But at 100 yards (and I will go from memory here, but this is a good number as I just had this gun to the range last week) it will group 2" to 2.25" at the most. Now, I don't do any cartridge measuring or weighing, I just pull 'em out of the box and shoot.  .5" groups at 50 yards? I dunno...but I would say 1" groups would be no problem at that range. I''ve popped a crow at 60 yards with this little gun. If I were goin Bobcat huntin I'd have no problem takin this gun if the shots were 100 yards or less. Take the air out of the lungs and it's all over.

My fox huntin this fall\winter will be mostly at 50 yards. Those critters are really not all that big and I have all the confidence in the world that this 22 mag will do the job.

The gun is drilled and tapped for a scope mount as Tim has pointed out. (BTW, no one on the planet knows more about Handi's than Tim).  Just remember that if you have to order one thru your gun shop, have them order the scope mount as well.

The gun has the ejector, not the extractor. I like the ejector, just don't aim it at your face when you open it up. That brass fly's out of there at Mach II speed.

Dave

[handirifle]

Thanks Dave and Tim.

I've got a 22 mag in my future, but haven't made my mind up on which one yet.  I am a leftie so it narrows down my choices quite a bit.

[xhare]

I have a 22 mag Sportster.  It is very accurate.  Yes I have gotten .5 inch at 50 yards with a couple of loads.  Mine likes Winchester 34 grain ammo and others.  It has been a while since I took it out, but it is quite the squirrel zapper, particularly it you are not interested in eating your squirrels.

[handirifle]

I have a 22 mag Sportster.  It is very accurate.  Yes I have gotten .5 inch at 50 yards with a couple of loads.  Mine likes Winchester 34 grain ammo and others.  It has been a while since I took it out, but it is quite the squirrel zapper, particularly it you are not interested in eating your squirrels.

Thanks, did yours come with the straight comb stock?  Do you still have it and use it with a scope?  How well does it work that way?

[xhare]

Mine has the Monte-Carlo type stock and no sights.  I still own it, but I pirated the scope from it to put on another rifle so for now it is vacationing in my gun cabinet.  It is very accurate.  I did notice shifts in impacts with some loads.  A group from one load would be to the left of another.  But other loads would land nearly on top of each other.  The point here is to buy several kinds and find what works.  Even the loads that shifted were relatively small. 

[Plainsman]

I just had my Sportster out yesterday and put a lot of rounds through it!

Mine seems to like MOST ammo! 
I've been using Winchester Supreme 34gr, CCI Maxi Mag TNT's and DynaPoints for a little variety.  The Supremes and TNT's seem to be hitting the same POA, while the Dynapoints being heavier seem to be low about 1" at 25yards and worse further out.

When I shot for 'groups' one day, I found the Supremes holding a tad tighter.  At 25 yards, I was tearing one ragged hole!!   At 50 yards they'll hold close to a half inch with me shooting!   They'd probably do better with a better shooter!  Even with me shooting, I'd say they'll hold under 1.5" at 100 yards.  This is with a factory trigger job and a Bushnell 3-9x40mm scope.  I'd like to get a better scope just for smaller crosshairs!

I also like the performance of the lighter bullets on impact!  As a comparison on targets, we had several 4oz bottles of eye solution, factory sealed for testing.  The lighter bullets would blow the little bottle apart.  While the Dynapoints blew through the bottles and simply knocked them over.  If you want to see some explosive targets, use carbonated soda bottles factory sealed or even power drinks such as Gatorade.  The pop bottles will literally blow apart!  I had a Coke bottle practically disintegrate!!  We hardly found remains.  This is quite exciting for kids to see and helps them to realize what would happen if somebody was shot.  My son at 7 years old has an excellent appreciation of the killing ability of firearms and is very safe at the range with me.

[Ireload2]

The supply of .22 Mag ammo has nearly dried up here. About all I can find is the Winchester Dynapoint, and a few CCI and Federal loads that have the 45 and 50 grain bullets. 17 HMR seems to be taking over.