Author Topic: caliber of choice (Read 3885 times)

tykempster · « **Reply #30 on:** October 08, 2008, 03:20:25 PM »

45-70 stretched...

Fred M · « **Reply #31 on:** October 08, 2008, 05:11:08 PM »

Quote from: jdwolf on October 07, 2008, 11:35:39 AM

I have only one Handi, a 223 which I dearly love. Enlighten me here. What is it about the 45-70 Handi that everyone loves?

Beats me?

30-06 would be my choice.

Swampman · « **Reply #32 on:** October 09, 2008, 12:03:43 AM »

Quote

Enlighten me here. What is it about the 45-70 Handi that everyone loves?

It goes off every time, it's very accurate with almost any load, you can shoot cast bullets for almost free, it ejects/extracts every time, with Trapdoor level loads it's fun to shoot and will harvest most anything, with upper level loads it will harvest anything that walks, and it's history is one of great romance. It's hard not to grin when you touch of a .45-70 round!

In a bolt action the .30-06 would be my first choice too (by an overwhelming margin,) but not in the Handi.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #33 on:** October 09, 2008, 01:08:37 AM »

There is no answer to this question that makes sense to everyone. The 45-70 is obviously very popular among Handi owners. I still can not believe that if they only had one, it would be the 45-70. For every reason they give to have one, you can counter with another cartridge. What is wrong with the 38-55? It is an old cartridge, can shoot black powder, can will go off every time, can be accurate, load it down with cast bullets, put down any thing in North America and shoot cheaper than a 45-70, they got the bore size issues worked out in later models. The same could be said of the 30-30 as the 38-55 with the exception of really big game. I seriously doubt IF anyone of these guys would go to Africa; and if they did they would not take the 45-70 in a Handi as their only weapon. So why state that it will take anything on earth when they never will have an opportunity to do so. I will more than likely never go to Africa on a hunting trip and if I did, I would be taking a strong bolt action in something other than a 45-70. I can not see myself only having a 45-70 in a Handi, I just have no need for it. It is not legal for deer hunting in our state, it is not the best cartridge for punching paper, it is not the cheapest to shoot, it has a relative short range, unless you aim at the moon. I can go on and on about why the 45-70 does not make any sense as the only Handi you would have, yet there are people that swear that is exactly what they would have as an only cartridge (read previous postings). We do not all think alike and do not have to explain our thoughts, what makes perfect sense to one does not to another. No, I do not get it either, but it does not matter if I get it or not, it is their choice, not mine.

Swampman · « **Reply #34 on:** October 09, 2008, 01:21:59 AM »

Quote

What is wrong with the 38-55?

It was too problematic, not unlike the .500S&W

No factory ammo.

About the same as a .30-30 unless you load it hot.

Still a fun cartridge for the handloader. I didn't know the .45-70 was illegal for deer hunting anywhere except "pistol caliber only" states. Is the .38-55 illegal for deer hunting there too?

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #35 on:** October 09, 2008, 01:36:00 AM »

.357 Magnum

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #36 on:** October 09, 2008, 02:33:53 AM »

Swampman - I live in pistol cartridge only state (for rifles), so the 38-55 is also not legal; the 30-30 and the 35 Remington are not either. You can shoot them in a handgun, just not a rifle??? The 38-55 did have bore/chamber issues in the Handi, but they straighten them out. Unfortunately as soon as they got it straightened out, they dropped them. The 38-55 is/was considered one of the best target rifles back in the day of black powder and lead bullets, better than the 45-70. The 44 Mag also had bore issues, but they straighten them out, but have not dropped them as of yet. The 500 S&W is a very high pressure round with a large head size, it cause a lot of flexing in the lug/latch area and also puts a strain on the breech face. It is on the outer limits of what a Handi can handle. I can see it being dropped eventually. We all like something different for our own reasons. I still do not get the 45-70 as an only cartridge. I get it as far as a fun cartridge and one to show off to friends and maybe even as a short range hunting cartridge. I know the story of the Army guy that shot an Indian chief 800+ yards away. It brings that old nostalgia rushing up. It had to be lucky shot, but it is what legends are made of. I just think there are better choices out there for hunting. How dead is dead? There are just so many other fine choices for a guy that shoots a lot. If it is your only gun, I assume you are going to be shooting it a lot. But like I said it is not my choice, it is yours and that is good enough for me and should be for everyone else. Good Shooting and Good Luck.

Swampman · « **Reply #37 on:** October 09, 2008, 03:06:18 AM »

I don't think I'd want a Handi as an only gun. I thought we were talking about if you could only have one Handi. If I could only have one gun, it would be my Remington 700CDL in .30-06.

CrimsonTide · « **Reply #38 on:** October 09, 2008, 03:11:15 AM »

I must have misread the original post. I was thinking that I read "Only one handirifle, what caliber would it be?"
I refuse to answer, only one gun, what would it be. That kind of talk is the devil.....

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #39 on:** October 09, 2008, 04:15:21 AM »

It was; if you only had 1 Handi rifle. I guess if it is a closet queen and you shot it infrequently, then you would go with the most fun caliber, not practical. I assumed that it would be shot a lot, even if you have other guns to use. I guess that is what I get for assuming. That is why we all think of something different when we think "only one", which by the way IS the devils work

Again; it is a matter of personal choice, and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

MSM · « **Reply #40 on:** October 09, 2008, 04:25:21 AM »

I will agree with a few others about the rimmed cartridges in the NEF. I will also confirm the .45-70. A rimmed straight wall case is about as easy as it gets to hand load (carbide dies for revolver cases make hand loading even easier...no case lube needed.) and there are zero problems with mechanical function in my Handi. Plus I just like the .45-70. Very versatile cartridge to re load.

Tunaman · « **Reply #41 on:** October 09, 2008, 05:04:17 AM »

I too will go with the 45-70. It shoots very well and works flawlessly.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #42 on:** October 09, 2008, 06:58:30 AM »

You all ask what's with the 45-70.
Well. It is a great brush round for deer and bear.
With hotter loads you can take brown bears,
Enough mass and power for moose and elk. 300 to 405 grains in jacked hollow points/ soft points to solid lead. As well and all copper bullets.
Recoil is not bad. Aout that of a 20ga shot gun. Some of the hotter loads could feel like 3" sluggs.
Has a huge rim for positive ejection.
And while not a varmint round it will work on Coyote, and Bob cat. If and when you hit a ground squirrel with one, it is dramatic.
With a single shot, the big cartridge and hole in the back end of the rifle make it easy to load a second shell if it were ever needed.
Personally if I could only have one singel shot rifle ( let's say the evil Obama wins and we have to hand in everything but a single, single shot gun) I think it would be a 308 win. Does everything the 30-06 will do, is more accurate, and there are more factory loadings for it than most other caliers and range from 125 grain reduced recoil loads to 180 grain premium bullets.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #43 on:** October 09, 2008, 07:41:53 AM »

"let's say the evil Obama wins and we have to hand in everything but a single, single shot gun"

Say it ain't so Joe!!! If Obama gets in I will throw all but my allowabe guns in the ocean so I will not have to turn them in. After he is out someday, I will go diving for them and put them back in my gunlocker....<><....

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

canon6 · « **Reply #44 on:** October 09, 2008, 01:49:51 PM »

What Andy said. Doug

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #45 on:** October 09, 2008, 01:59:16 PM »

I don't have to worry about Obamy because I don't have any guns!

Nope, none, nadda, zilch, and not even one!

I just come to this site just to read about them, and dream since I don't even have one.

Did I mention that I don't even own a gun?

Nope, I sure don't!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #46 on:** October 09, 2008, 02:11:37 PM »

Jimbo,
Me either. I lied too, earlier on this post and all the others if Osama, sorry Obama gets in and they read this. Since I'm a low tech redneck and have not been able to post any pictures. No one can prove i'm not full of hot air.

Spanky · « **Reply #47 on:** October 09, 2008, 02:16:38 PM »

Let 'em come try to take them.
Things will get real interesting in a hurry!!

Spanky

cwlongshot · « **Reply #48 on:** October 10, 2008, 12:29:37 AM »

My read on the question is one HANDI, not one gun. So my caliber choice would be my 357 Maxi.

IF it where one firearm, I wouldn't pick a handi.

If it WAS only handi's. I would agree with the majority, the 45-70 would be my choice. It will do everything I ask it.

CW

FW Conch · « **Reply #49 on:** October 10, 2008, 05:47:34 AM »

From my cold , dead hands !

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #50 on:** October 10, 2008, 06:21:41 AM »

Sorry to have started that.
I was only kidding around. there is no way they could or would enforce a firearms ban or confiscation.
I hunt with a few police officers and they said they would flat out refuse to knock on doors to collect.

petemi · « **Reply #51 on:** October 10, 2008, 06:48:42 AM »

I'm 68 years old and afflicted with three diseases. cancer, Handiholicism and Charlton Hestonitis.......Let 'em try it!! I'd rather not die in bed!!! Perhaps we'd really document what the .45-70 can do

LONGTOM · « **Reply #52 on:** October 10, 2008, 06:52:10 AM »

"there is no way they could or would enforce a firearms ban or confiscation."

That is what some of the other country's thought too!

I won't lie, I have gun, LOTS OF GUNS AND LOTS & LOTS OF AMMO.
If they come for them I will gladly give them up starting with the ammo, ONE ROUND AT A TIME, well MAYBE IN SHOURT BURSTS!!!
BULLETS FIRST!!

"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE YOU DIRTY COPPERS"--JAMES CAGNEY

When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns.
MEET THE NEXT OUTLAW aka LONGTOM!!!!

LONGTOM

petemi · « **Reply #53 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:39:00 PM »

Tom, I hate to sound like a jerk, which I probably am, but look North my boy. They didn't confiscate them, but they can't use them freely and not a shot was fired. That's how it happens...one step at a time. Next they'll confiscate the hand guns already rendered useless by law. No shots fired. The long guns will fall next; guaranteed no shots fired. OH!!! CANADA. I Love your country as my own and I cherish our common freedom, and I will fight to preserve it. We have to get on it together and turn this around before the antis eat us up.

I think statistics (hate them) show most anti-gun people are urbanites, and Canada is plagued by urbanites. I believe, with immigration and urbaniztion, Canada has been torn away from her frontier roots. I forget the actual percentage of urban people to rural, if anyone can, please help me, The bulk of her population is centered in the major Southern cities, and they haven't a clue that the Long Rifle bought the land.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #54 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:48:51 PM »

22 Hornet without a doubt. My hornet barrel has killed more critters than the others I own combined. In fact, if you leave out my 10-22 it has killed more critters than all of my rifles combined. And ya know what I bet the barrel will never get eroded.

Saloon slug · « **Reply #55 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:55:29 PM »

Well since I only have one at the moment I would have to say .308 Being from SoCal there is not much with big teeth or claws to wory about. The .308 works great for Mule deer to coyotes.

drewD · « **Reply #56 on:** October 10, 2008, 04:31:56 PM »

I think my decision is on a 12 guage barrel with interchangeable choke tubes. It's good for everything. Bird shot for small game, heavy field loads for the next step up, turkey loads for turkey, slugs for big game, and 00 buck for defense. I just don't think you can go wrong with a 12 guage.

petemi · « **Reply #57 on:** October 10, 2008, 04:32:52 PM »

Sorry I got off topic. I'll be better later.....perhaps

Thanks Y'all

JPShelton · « **Reply #58 on:** October 10, 2008, 09:34:38 PM »

If I could have but one Handi-Rifle, and I could only have it in one caliber, it would be chambered in .223 Remington.

Ammo is cheap, both to buy and reload. It is available pretty much everywhere that ammo is sold.

Recoil is virtually non-eixistant. My .20 Beeman R-9 air rifle kicks harder than my .223 Handi-Rifle does. Lack of recoil makes it a joy to shoot.

My Handi isn't the most accurate .223 rifle that I've shot, but I've plenty that were less precise. Minute of angle works for me just fine, and my Handi delivers that.

The 1:9 twist barrel allows me to use a useful range of bullet types, which helps increase the rifle's versatility from paper punching to smaller thin-skinned, light big game animals, like California blacktails and the smallish whitetails that live arouund my hometown.

Of all of the rifles I've owned over the years, my .223 Handi Rifle rates as a favorite.

statelinerut · « **Reply #59 on:** October 11, 2008, 02:41:26 AM »

243 with 95gr Fusions