Author Topic: Some info on handi rifles please (Read 1644 times)

57mlevermatic · « **on:** September 27, 2009, 03:42:12 PM »

Hi, I was just wandering if I could get a little more information on these rifles. The first question I have is what kind of accuracy can I expect out of a 22-250 barrel. The general range of shooting will be 400 yards or less. I don't expect it to split bullets on an axe blade but figure if I can reasonably get a 5 shot 1.25" group or so at a 100 yards then it'll be good enough to deer hunt with. My dad has a Rossi 22/410 matched pair at 75 yards iron sights I get a 5 shot group a little bigger than a quarter with the 22 barrel. I've heard with some of the more potent calibers like the 22-250, 243,etc. that accuracy lacks a little bit in the handi and it produces alot of flyers and terrible groups, and was wandering if there is any truth to that. I also heard from a post somewhere that some of the Handi's have the Marlin Microgroove rifling I don't remember the caliber or the forum, but if it were true and the 22-250 had the microgroove then that would be a dream come true for me to have a high powered rifle with the same accuracy as my marlin 22 magnum but with super extended range. I just put a Rossi .223 in layaway for the wife to deer hunt with, but for myself I want a little more range thus the 22-250. So I'm in between the Handi and the Rossi as none of the stores around here have a Handi for me to compare the two with.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:57:17 PM »

I have never owned a Rossi but I have handled a few and I can say I am not in the market for one.

I think handies are better made and feel much better in my hands, I have fifteen handies and they will all shoot well, some shoot alright, some shoot great, None shoot bad. I don't have a .22-250 but my .223 shoots inside of 1.5 at 100 and it is one of my least favorite handies. My .308 and .280 both shoot about 1.5 at 100 but I haven't worked with them much. I have a .357max that will shoot 1 inch groups at 100yards.

They will shoot but sometimes they need a little help and tinkering to do so. ( Which is why a lot of us like them.)

Welcome and have fun.

petemi · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2009, 03:49:19 AM »

I've got nine Handis and all will shoot MOA. I'm not saying I can do it, suffering from oldfartatudamous, but a buddy of mine, and an excellent rifleman, can.

I have never owned a Rossi, and I think, from what I've read here, I never will.

Pete

pondenck · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2009, 04:22:32 AM »

all mine shoot 1.5 or smaller.hope you can try one good luck Jim

T/Chmr · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2009, 04:31:55 AM »

I have only had one Handi...it was a .243, it had the sweetest factory trigger of any gun I have ever owned, but it wouldn't group for squat....."minute of pie plate" was the best I ever got. I really liked the way that rifle felt and like I said, it had an awesome trigger, did some horse tradin' and got rid of it. I sure wish it would've worked for me but I didn't have good luck. I've heard good ones are out there, but mine just wasn't one of them

gendoc · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2009, 04:34:33 AM »

the only microgroove barrel that handi's have is in the 22 rimfire versa-pac barrel...

mostly all standard conture barrels will walk if you don't let them properly cool
after shoot'n.. between shots.

i have worked many rossi's and that is a fact of walking!!!!
and some handi's do it too.

the rossi .243 barrel is the worst...
first shot is fine, then its starts to fade out.

even higher priced centerfires do it too
kimber, ruger, remington, browning and so on...
if you don't let the barrel cool down

just plain accuracy can be had by finding the ammo your rifle likes
or handload development, if your equipment is up to par!!!

good luck

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2009, 11:40:00 AM »

All mine shoot less than 1" at 100 yards, including Huntsman (if I premeasure loads with scale for consistency). But I don't have a 22-250.

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2009, 06:38:36 PM »

Thanks for all the input guys, I got to say I like the idea the Handi comes in a wood stock instead of just synthetic because I just like the look and feel of a woodstock. When I get it I'll probably cut the high part of the stock off and make it flush along the top. I hand't decided yet have to get it in my hands first then see. But I got to get the wife's gun first funny how they always end up with the good stuff huh lol. Since this will be her first year hunting. I have the option at the store I'm buying her Rossi at that I can change guns as long as I hadn't paid completly for it yet think I'll just see if they can order in a Handi.

wreckhog · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2009, 07:30:07 PM »

IMHO, if you want a guarantee, buy a used gun from a priavte seller that will show you targets and talk about loads. Or maybe a bolt action like a Tikka or CZ that comes with a test target. Or an AR from a place like Accuracy Speaks that guarantees specific accuracy. Production rifles shoot all over the place. I am currently dealing with a newish Marlin lever that keyholes starting at 15 yards.

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2009, 11:35:29 PM »

If you are thinking of the .22-250 as a 400 yard deer killer I think you are mostly kidding yourself. It's a good varmint round out even past that but a long range deer killer it really is not.

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:01:38 AM »

I don't think I'm kidding myself with a 22-250 being a 400 yard deer killer because a friend of mine grows tomatoes to sell commercially, with the CZ he has we have taken several string line measured. He also works road construction thus the string line, one shot kills 400, 500 one shot drop in their tracks kills with his 22-250. and even a couple 600 yard clean kills as well. So I know how potent the caliber is when placed properly.

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #11 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:18:36 AM »

sorry I meant to say 400, 500 yard and even a couple 600 yard killin shots with his 22-250. I'm not the best typer in the world so I miss a few things now and then.

bobg · « **Reply #12 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:28:10 AM »

I sure would like to see some of these 400 to 500 yard shots with the 22-250. I wouldn't do it with my 270. But that is just me.

bobg

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #13 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:36:15 AM »

Well don't get me wrong there are thousands of people that are better shots than I ever thought about being, but I do have confidence in my ability when I take a shot and if I am not then I don't take it. I hunt for the meat and the last thing I want to see is a a crippled up skillet full of tenderloins get away from me and go to waste. My friend that I was talking about and his immediate family were the first to shoot them out of his fields. Most of the terrain around here is woodland so really the majority of the time it will be within 100 yards or less but there is increasing need from farmers around here as well.

taylorce1 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:39:57 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on September 28, 2009, 11:35:29 PM

If you are thinking of the .22-250 as a 400 yard deer killer I think you are mostly kidding yourself. It's a good varmint round out even past that but a long range deer killer it really is not.

Well at that range at least the varmint bullet will not be blowin up, however I agree whole heartedly with that comment. If you want a reliable deer killer at long range I'd start looking at a .25-06 at a minimum. I prefer the .270 Win myself for anythin deer sized out to 300 yards. Heavier bullets retain energy better and a .25-06 will at least double the grains of the heaviest bullet most .22-250 rifles shoot well.

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #15 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:54:43 AM »

The 55 gr varmit bullets is not what I planned on using, the 64 gr winchesters will be my starting point. A 25-06 is no question a good long range round but personally I prefer less kick. For years I used a 243 out to those distances with the same results as with my friends 22-250 but as luck would have it I no longer have my Remington 700 so that's why I am in the market for it now.

petemi · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2009, 10:02:46 AM »

I would have more respect for the animal than to hunt deer with my .22-250. Why? Cause I've got much better calibers to reach out and KILL deer with. The 250 was never intended to be a deer rifle cartridge. Yes, it will kill them, all things perfect. I, as a kid killed a deer with a .22 LR. That doesn't make the .22 a deer rifle either. There seems to be some kind of an inane challenge going about to kill the biggest critter with the smallest bullet................IMHO that equals Slob Hunter.

An adder to this post: The Hornady .22-250 60 gr. SP drops 34.8 inches at 500 yards. The velocity is 1877 fps. and the energy is only 470 foot lbs. So, you're telling me you can humanely kill a deer at 600 yards, putting a bullet into vitals the size of a pie plate, shooting off an impromptu shooting rest such as bipods, a rock, a tree, etc. I say "B.S". The best marksmen here on this forum have difficulty taking prairie dogs at that distance......off a bench. Prairie dogs aren't much smaller than a deer's vitals.

Sorry to spew.

Pete

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2009, 10:18:35 AM »

I've killed plenty with a 22 lr to dead is dead no matter how its killed if it dont suffer how much better can you kill something than falling in its tracks an there is not a bow around that has the energy of a 22 magnum and there's plenty of deer killed with it to. It's not slob hunting to use a gun that don't kill at both ends or be able to shoot game in the rear end and bust it's brain. It just means you take more time to place your shot the way it should be

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2009, 10:20:04 AM »

and you don't tear up as much meat either than using the lastes ultra high deluxe belted super magnum

petemi · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2009, 10:32:08 AM »

Go back and read my adder. The deer you shot with the .22 were probably under at light at 25 yards........or perhaps I'm wrong.....you may have gotten them at 600 also. For your information, bows don't kill with energy or shock. They cut.

Pete

57mlevermatic · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2009, 12:21:27 PM »

no my deer that I killed with a 22 was not under 25 with a light avg 50 to 75 in daylight just cause you can't hit where you aim and make up the difference with a canon does not mean I have to. I personally do not care or criticze what another person is comfortable with as long as they get the job done they are comfortable with that than what I prefer and that's fine. Different opinions is what makes the world go around. But I did not start on you until you started on me first. I came on this post to ask a legitimate question and I sincerley appreciate the guys who answered respectfully. But then there is always somebody who has to say they are right everybody else is wrong. And that what they use is the only thing that will work. If we spent more time apreciating the views of each other as hunters and sportsman then there would be less room for groups like PETA to chastise what we enjoy. We may also learn something from each other if we take the time, but I will not be disrespected or called a slob hunter just because I use something different than you. Gut a deer sometime that HAS repeat HAS been hit in the heart or lungs with a 22-250 and just see what little of each you find I can promise you it will not be much. To me when it does that without bloodshoting edible meat and dont bruise my shoulder, or cause me to start flinching after 5 shots at the range with it then that is all I need. I am sorry you cannot enjoy the same. And yes if the state game and fish would legalize it all I would deer hunt with is a 22 magnum because I am confident enough in my ability that it's gonna fall when I shoot. And if you don't think it will cleanly kill I invite you to stand 50 to 100 yards in front of somebody with a 22 magnum and let them shot at you. I bet your story would change real quick then. And yes I know a bow cuts but it still has to have energy to reach the vitals of an animal. But I suppose your next arguement will be apple to oranges.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2009, 12:41:37 PM »

Here's a pretty good article by Craig Boddington on the use of .22 cal centerfires on big game, I personally wouldn't use one even if it were legal here which it isn't in most states, 6mm is the minimum here. I'd hate to have to pass on the only legal deer I saw during the season due to not having a perfect shot opportunity which would be required using a 22-250. $:-\$

Tim

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/centerfire_22_biggame/

petemi · « **Reply #22 on:** September 29, 2009, 01:24:25 PM »

JEEEZ, I gotta wonder why most states would outlaw .22 cal. centerfires for deer? Do they think they might actually be a tad inadequate?
Standing in front of a .22 magnum and being shot at is as stupid as trying to take a deer at 600 with a 250. I own and shoot a .22-250 at least a day a week at 300 yards. I know what it can or can't do. I suspect your .22 magnum has you flinching after 5 shots. The flinch is in your head, not in the recoil. I'd like to field dress a deer that had been hit at 600 yards with a .22-250 and witness the vast damage. Please invite me to the next gutting party. He probably died of anaphalactic shock from the bee sting.

More seriously, I have seen deer sustain a terrible amount of damage in the vitals, at close range, with .30 cal. weapons, and still go a mile. That's why I like my .45-70. It knocks them off their feet and they seldom get up. I HATE to see a wounded deer run. It takes all the joy out of the hunt.

Pete

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #23 on:** September 29, 2009, 01:52:48 PM »

I would take a shot at 5-600 yd on a yodle dog, but unless it was wounded, no way would I shoot a deer at that distance. With wind and my wobbles, I just wouldn't. Out here in Montana, the wind can be blowing several directions between you and the animal at 300 yd. Even on ranges with wind flags you can see them blow different directions, and they are flat, not full of ridges and cuts. DP

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:08:59 PM »

I can and have shot squirrels in the head at 100+ with a 22 LR and 125+ with a 22 MAG and there is zero cahnce of me ever shooting a deer at any range with one. The chance that a projectile with that low a momentum will glance off a bone and injure instead of kill is just too high. Is it possible? yes. Ethical hunting? NO.

petemi · « **Reply #25 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:25:16 PM »

Thank you Kevinsmith5. "Ethical hunting? NO."

dp, it's always gusting here. Wind warnings tonight to 50 mph. I agree with you, it is always variable. The only constant is it is pretty much always windy. That's one of the reasons I like my big, fat, slow bullets. I have learned, with the .45-70, if its blowing hard out of the North (which it usually is), give it about a foot in that direction at 300. I've had more than a few times when I misjudged wind speed and the bullet went south by a foot or more. Things like that make it all interesting. It'd be awful darned boring if you could step out anytime and cloverleaf them at 300.....or 100.......or even 50. Keep up the good shooting, friend.

Pete

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:38:21 PM »

The great thing about a 500 gr bullet is that it either misses or kills at pretty much any range...

gendoc · « **Reply #27 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:44:43 PM »

hey pete, can ya still ring that gong witha 50mph wind blow'n

i betcha can!!!!

wreckhog · « **Reply #28 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:00:01 PM »

What 22-250 load is killing these things at 400-600 yards? What scope? Just curious.

petemi · « **Reply #29 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:09:33 PM »

Quote from: gendoc on September 29, 2009, 02:44:43 PM

hey pete, can ya still ring that gong witha 50mph wind blow'n
i betcha can!!!!

Yeah, I do. But I start out about 15 inches to the right, which is North and where the wind is coming from. I try to shoot every day, under all weather conditions, all year long. It's simple to learn my own failings and my rifles capabilities. You can shoot at 100 yards on a range with zero wind, and the monster buck shows up at 200 yards with a 40 mph wind........Oh crap....what do I do now. I've sent a lot of bullets into the 300 yard berm at my place going "splat" in the clay....not hitting squat....but that's how ya learn. I like to shoot targets off hand in a snow storm, cause that's when "da tirty pointer" is gonna show up. You learn to deal with snow/water/ice/fog on the scope, blinding snow and zero cold. Ya know..........we're nuts.

Pete