Author Topic: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy  (Read 2475 times)

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Offline DLEB

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Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« on: August 17, 2008, 12:18:27 PM »
What kind of group size can I realistically expect shooting factory ammo? ???

Offline Spanky

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2008, 01:03:44 PM »
I can't say for the 444 but my 45-70 will put 3 shots touching at 100 yds. with Remington 405's or my handloads. I only shoot the trapdoor level stuff cause it's very accurate and recoil is nothing.

I think Quick has a 444 and could probably give you an answer on that.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one.



Spanky

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2008, 02:01:01 PM »
  I am sorry to say that no one here can accurately answer your question. Frankly there are too many variables.
The average handy is capable of stellar to accuracy. How well you can shoot that depends on your ability to shoot. Also what one shooter considers acceptable groups may not be for another. Not being smart, or a wise guy, just stating the facts.

 Guns are individuals, what I mean is, we could both by the same gun, same caliber with a single digit difference in the SN and they could be totally different shooters.

Mine was bought with syn stocks and shot pretty good out of the box. I swapped Ultra Laminates on it and the next time I shot it it was several inches off center and shot scatter-gun patterns. Some careful investigation and a bit of filing and it shot even better than before. Now its easily inside two inches at 100. That's all I personally expect from this gun in this caliber.

 One thing is for sure, you will enjoy figuring it out!!

CW
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Offline Troyboy

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2008, 02:44:42 PM »
My 45-70 shoots better than i can ! Bushnell 3-9x40 gun show reloads 300gr i think you can almost see that giant bullet flying through the air. You'll love it.
.204 .22lr .22wm .25acp .223 5.56 .243 .25-06 6.5x55  .308  .300wbymag  7.5x54  7.62x25 7.62x39  338-06  9x19 .38spl  9x18 .45acp . 45-70 .500s&w 12rfl 12smb 20smb  .45lc 410smb .22hornet .280AI    Ask not what your country can do for you BUT what can YOU do for your country

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2008, 05:00:54 PM »
Mine was one of the first barrels made in the 1:20".444, it was tested at the factory before it was shipped to me, they shot Rem 240gr, Hornady 265gr Light Mags and the Leverevolution ammo, all three shot 1½-1¾" 100yd 3-shot groups. I've not shot any factory ammo in it, but it shoots 3 different handloads under 1" with Hornady 240gr and 265gr jacketed bullets and 355gr cast bullets.

I have five 45-70s, depending on the load, they all shoot under 1½" 100yd groups, most under 1" with handloads, haven't shot a lot of factory ammo in them tho, what I have shot is the discontinued PMC +P ammo, that was right at 2½" at 200yds. I shot the Rem 405gr ammo in a new SS Ultra Hunter a couple weeks ago, it grouped less than 2", and the Win 300gr Silver box at ~1½".







"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline DLEB

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2008, 11:17:42 AM »
Decided to pick up a Handi-Rifle in 444 today. Can't find info on the twist rate. This being a new rifle, would it be the 1:20"? Gonna try Hornady Leverevolutiion 265s

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2008, 01:38:42 PM »
Congrats, late models are 1:20" as stated in the FAQs.

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline cajun

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2008, 03:53:32 AM »
DLEB:

Congratulations on the new rifle.  I picked one up last week in 444 and put a 4X fixed power scope on it.  I shot it this past weekend with the Hornady Leverevolution 265's.  It took me a bit to get it on paper (my fault not the rifle) and was able to get a 2" group at 100 yards.  I think the rifle can do much better as I was tired and shoulder weary when I did get that group.  I put a LimbSaver recoil pad on mine and it definitely helps to reduce the recoil.  I would compare the recoil to a heavy load 12 gauge shotgun.  It's not bad at all but after 20 rounds off of sand bags, you do start to feel it a little.  I'm a sissy anyway and normally shoot much smaller caliber.  The trigger on mine is absolutely great....light and crisp.

Anyway, I'm definitely very pleased with mine.  Good luck and enjoy the new rifle! ;D

Offline DLEB

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2008, 08:54:31 AM »
The trigger on mine seems light and crisp for a factory job. Will check it with a trigger gauge later today.

Offline DLEB

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Re: Scoped 444 or 45-70 H&R handi rifle accuracy
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2008, 02:32:39 PM »
Scope mounted and checked the trigger. Very crisp, no creep, and breaking at 4.5 #s. Not bad at all for a factory trigger. We'll see what it does at the range.