Handi-rifle for my only hunting rifle

[smittty]

Well, not long ago I was looking at the 308 survivor, then switched my sights to the stainless 30-06 handi and then got prices that were more than a Stevens model 200 and decided to shelf the idea of getting a handi-rifle.

Since then I've looked at the Stevens 200 and in the 30-06 length action and I'm not impressed.  The 308 action length feels better but I've decided that my one hunting rifle should be in 30-06 caliber.  I already have a 30-06 target rifle with lots of ammo so the 30-06 for hunting makes sense.

I'm back to considering a handi-rifle.  There are a lot of things I like about a single shot take-down rifle and these handi-rifles are appealing to me even though they are not high-end hunting rifles. 

If you guys had to pick just one handi-rifle (in 30-06) which model would it be? 

I don't have a discount store near here that stocks these things so I will end up paying near full retail.

Thanks for your advice,
Smitty

[Mac11700]

Go with an Ultra if you can get it..

Mac

[quickdtoo]

There's not much choice, the wood stocked Handi would be my first choice, there's no Ultra 30-06 any more, but if you can find one, get it as Mac said, the other choices being the synthetic stocked blued or stainless, all with 22" standard contour barrels. I have a stainless in gray laminated stock set, and an Ultracomp in the camo laminate, both are very accurate, get the one that appeals to you the most, if you don't like the way it handles, swap stocks. The stainless came in synthetic stocks, but didn't shoot good for the previous owner, so he sold it to me for $200 with Leupold rings, I immediately removed the syn stock set and put it in lams, has shot good for me in that configuration, don't much care for the syn stocks myself, but they have their following.

Tim

[Jimbo47]

I had also thought about getting the Stevens, but I found a good deal on the Handi .243 at the gun shop, and couldn't pass it up.

I usually hunt with a 7mm mag. but the last couple of years a bad shoulder has not made hunting with that rifle a very comforting thought.

I decided that I could get back to using a .243 since that is what I learned to hunt with, but I guess all those years of shooting larger calibers spoiled me, and ruined my confidence in the lighter round.

I've never lost a deer with a .243, but I also haven't shot deer at the ranges I 've shot deer with the 7 Mag.

So I compromised, and went with the single shot Handi, and found a barrel in the classifieds in 7mm-08, (had two choices either 7-08 or 25-06) for the light recoil, same size bullet I'm used to shooting, and the compactness of the rifle, and besides I've seldom needed a follow up shot, so the single shot isn't an issue as far as I'm concerned.

I know you can't go wrong with the 30-06 no matter what type of rifle you decide on!

Good hunting this year!

[PHATINJUN]

If you got a walmart near by that sells guns nobody beats their price and they will order if not in stock. kurt

[Jimbo47]

If you got a walmart near by that sells guns nobody beats their price and they will order if not in stock. kurt

That's a great idea, but be aware that a lot of Walmart stores have discontinued selling firearms, due to a marketing move, and it will save you some gas and time to call around and find one that still sells guns, and can order them.