Author Topic: NEF .223 vs stevens 110 (Read 1242 times)

mattri · « **on:** August 11, 2009, 05:03:35 PM »

Been looking to pick up a decent varminter in .223 without dropping a ton of cash. The price difference between a NEF .223 and a stevens 110 is pretty close. The stevens has a very good reputation,a strong aftermarket and a 4 round mag. What are the advantages to the handi? Thanks, Matt.

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2009, 06:26:48 PM »

I don't think I'd say there are any advantages to the Handi. I don't think I'd say there are any disadvantages to it either. $:-\$
Get them both in your hands and see which one talks to you... then buy it.

Spanky

xsilver03x · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2009, 08:11:47 PM »

the stevens is a savage minus the accu-trigger. AND a bolt gun. To me there would be nothing to compare. You have the option, with the stevens, to make a great shooting gun. Add a bb and a timney trig and you have yourself a real tack driver. Dont get me wrong I like my handi but, I love my savage!

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2009, 11:24:43 PM »

My .223 NEF/H&R's have been one of the calibers that have required no tinkering for shot to shot consistancy. As has been reported on this site many, many times, the little Handi's are a tinkerers dream. That may be their downfall as well ... many have had to do work on their's to achieve shot to shot consistancy. Refer to the FAQ for details.

None of my Savage/Stevens, new or used, have ever had to be worked on the get them to shoot.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2009, 11:50:09 PM »

It depends on what you like. I have an Ultra Varmint in 223 and I have 2 Stevens 200s in 223. Both of my Stevens have been highly modified and I have converted both to single shots. I really did not give them much of a chance to prove them selves. The first one, I shot a little bit and got average results, but to be fair, I did not do much load development with it and did not like the trigger at all. Then I saw Midway had a heavy fluted stainless barrel in 223 with an action wrench on sale for $99. I ordered it and a Rifle Basix trigger. After installing the heavy barrel, I had to open up the barrel channel on the stock and it looked mighty funny after that, so I ordered a Boyd's stock for it. I then ordered a bolt and recoil lug through SSS and the next thing I know I have a tack driver, but not exactly stock any more. I then bought a second one and did not even give it a chance - I never put a shot down the barrel, it was pulled and another barrel put on, new trigger, new stock, etc. Both had single shot trays put in. I just like single shot rifles

I think the accuracy potential for a stock Handi and a stock Stevens are on par. If you start adding triggers, stocks, and barrels to the Stevens you will get better results from it than a Handi - but you will have more money involved. If you do a trigger job on the Handi and buy an after market trigger for the Stevens you are still about even. On the Handi rifles I have bought, the stock trigger is better than the stock trigger on the Stevens. I think it comes down to how much tinkering you want to do and/or how much money you want to spent after the initial buy. If you do not want to spend extra money after the initial buy get the Handi - just about all improvements (if you need any at all) are very low cost or no cost. On the Stevens, if you want to improve on it, it will cost you more money. I really think it comes down to which style you like best. The Handi rifle has grown on me; the more you use it, the more you like it. Like has been said above - get both. Good Luck and Good Shooting

chipmunk · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2009, 01:16:05 AM »

I had the same choice awhile back and after holding both guns it was obvious which one was for me. The nef guns just balanced right! Without any tinkering my nef puts 3 .223 bullets through 1 hole at 100 yds almost every time (as long as I do my job) Having only 1 round tends to make you a better marksman too!

IMO, the biggest advantage of the stevens is that you don't get addicted and end up buying more and more of them!

trotterlg · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2009, 07:51:06 AM »

If you have a choice take the Stevens. It will have a 9 out of 10 chance of outshooting the H&R right out of the box. H&R's are great fun and work reasonably well for the price, but the Savage/Stevens will win in all areas at least 90% of the time. Larry

rickt300 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2009, 08:03:59 AM »

The truth is how short does your rifle need to be? The Handi's, especially in the light barrel contour are quick and easy to get into action. I seldom need a second shot from my truck rifle and being easy to get pointed out the window gets me on the varmints fast. I own a lot of bolt guns, I use them for my main hunting rifles but the Handi's get used when I hunt out of small box blinds, the short thing coming in handy again.

xsilver03x · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2009, 07:44:36 PM »

chip what ammo are you shooting! if hand loads what is the workup!

Default · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2009, 12:13:26 AM »

My hand fitted 223 bull barrel with the 1 in 9 twist consistently placed groups smaller then a dime @ 100 with the 75 gr. Hornady TAP ammo .. and nothing more then a rubber "O" ring was added under the fore arm lug .. Now I like my savage alot but my other tack driving 223 is my Ruger Target Grey M77 bolt action .. And costs twice what a new handi costs ..

I think it , as always is a cost and preference issue.. You do have a number of advantages with the handi though that would cost quite a bit more with the Savage.. You can add barrels to that handi till your blue in the face and feeding a whole herd of bastard mouths from 204 Ruger to 500 S&W , At roughly $100 -/+ a caliber .. with the savage you have to change bolt face diameter and barrel and are locked into short action calibers ..

And as mentioned the handis hands down wins on over all length ...

Default

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2009, 01:18:27 AM »

Quote from: chipmunk on August 12, 2009, 01:16:05 AM

IMO, the biggest advantage of the stevens is that you don't get addicted and end up buying more and more of them!

... however, there are exceptions.

Wolfgang · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2009, 04:24:07 AM »

Mattri,

I ended up getting rid of a Remington 700 after my wife got me an Ultra .223 for Christmas a few years back. Thought I might keep it if it shot even close to as good as the Remmy did. Went out and with the same handload I had worked up for the 700, the H&R shot circles around the 700 and that was with doing nothing to the Ultra and its trigger being nothing to write home about. The 700 went down the road.

I have a Savage in .308 that was purchased for work and after a stock replacement, high end glass and so on it too shoots way better than I can. I think it boils down to which you like better after holding each one. A rifle or any gun for that matter, is a very personal thing. Some people like Fords some like Chevys some aren't satisfied with anything less than a Rolls Royce. All of them get you there, but some do it with more style than others. I like simple, reliable, proven and cost effective things. The Handi is all of that and more.

Wolfgang

1911bmw · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2009, 03:27:32 PM »

Stevens/Savage.

tykempster · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2009, 02:41:36 AM »

Stevens can be upgraded infinitely more.

44 Man · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2009, 07:11:33 AM »

I can't argue which one shoots better as I have neither, but an Ultra in 223 in on my list. My only problem with the stevens is the same problem I have had with every bolt action I have owned (and I sold them ALL). A bolt gun feel like the most akward gun in the world to me. There is just no natural action to working the bolt. A handi opens with a push of the thumb. A lever action works with just a flick of the wrist. But a bolt...... Nevermind. It's a personal preference. Not that they are not good rifles, but I don't own one now and never will again. 44 Man

bill439 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2009, 07:53:06 AM »

the stevens 200 is a lot more gun for the money, and a lot more can be done with the stevens as far as modificqtions. To me dollar for dollar the h & r is very much over-priced. bill439

Casull · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2009, 07:55:04 AM »

Wow, all these handi's seem to shoot one hole groups. Think I'll get into benchrest competition on the cheap.

fr3db3ar · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:18:36 AM »

I wish my Handi in .223 shot one hole groups by only adding the rubber washer $:-\$

awp101 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2009, 11:32:38 AM »

Quote from: xsilver03x on August 11, 2009, 08:11:47 PM

Add a bb and a timney trig and you have yourself a real tack driver.

BB?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2009, 11:51:47 AM »

I do not have a 223 but have a 22 mag H&R.
I also have a bolt action 22 mag.
Depending on what and how I hunt I take one or the other.
If I am going to be laying down and having multiple targets then the bolt is the pick.
the bolt works better with the bipod in the prone position. the top breaks be come a little akward.
Walk around hunting or preditor either gun works.
if it is going to be a lot of shooting such as standing and varminting then the top break gets the nod.
We were shooting varmints in a field one day and my buddy had a bolt I had a single and we were running neck and neck in hits / shots and as he went through his third and last magazine for his bolt I was able to hit three more while he was reloading one mag.
As 223's go. i have 2 bolts one auto load and a 16' T/C for long walk around medium game in steep terrain. (Javilina in AZ.)

hope this helps.

mitch132 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2009, 12:57:19 PM »

awp101,

bb = Bull Barrel

awp101 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2009, 01:01:08 PM »

Thanks, kind of had a "DUH!" moment there...

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2009, 01:16:43 PM »

I thoought the BB was refering to a poor mans trigger job.
Had a friend that would cut the springs on CZ rifles and add a BB to them and smooth out the trigger.
Would not let him touch my rifle.
Never want to get one of his either....