Author Topic: Which handi-rifle should i buy? (Read 1476 times)

zackyholdem · « **on:** September 30, 2009, 09:35:24 AM »

Hi, i'm new to the forum so hello to everyone.

I talked the guy at cabelas into letting me trade my nef ultra slug hunter 20 gauge for a new NEF handi rifle.

They have 3 new handi-rifles all are the basic wood stock models with 22" barrel and factory scope mount.

The caliber choices are 30-06, .308, .270

I plan on shooting nothing but whitetails with this gun and most shots will be under 300 yards, most being 100yd range, i plan on shooting hornady factory loads in whichever caliber i choose.

I know all three of these calibers are efficient for deer at the stated ranges, what i'm really looking for is your input about the gun itself.

what i'm looking for is things like "the 06 i had didn't shoot well" or the ".308 wasn't that accurate" or "the .270 i had was great"

i would like some thoughts from people who have owned and shot these different calibers in the handi rifle, i'm looking for someone to steer me in the right direction.

thanks Zack

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:56:15 AM »

Welcome aboard Zack! I have two 30-06s, have had four 270s, still have two, and also have a 308, they all shoot very well with the right factory ammo or good handloads, since you're limited to factory ammo, and I wouldn't insist on sticking with just Hornady since what ever you choose may or may not like them. You could start by reading the Best Factory Ammo thread in the FAQs and Help sticky which will help you make a decision based on the factory ammo limitation you're putting on yourself, then spend lots of time reading in the FAQs, you'll do yourself a big favor armed with the knowledge accumulated there.

Tim

zackyholdem · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:00:01 AM »

sorry i should correct myself, i was just going to start with hornady's since i've had good luck with them in the past, i understand that guns are finicky and i may have to try different brand til i find the right one.

and thank you for the info, i will take a look at the thread.

Thanks Zack

petemi · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:17:07 AM »

Hey Zack, Probably the best thing to do, as any proper Handiholic would do, is buy all three. It's in the Handi Shooters Bible under Timothy, Chapter 1 Verse 1. That way you can't go wrong. I personally don't own a Handi .308, but for me that caliber in my Ruger is a superb Whitetail rifle in the woods or out to 300 plus yards. My '06 Handi will shoot MOA with factory ammo. I don't own a Handi .270, I have a 7mm-08, which is also MOA.

If I were making the trade, I'd ask him to order in a .45-70 Handi. Shoot it and learn it and you'll get your deer at 30 or 300 yards......with a lot of authority

There aren't many of us who'd part with that rifle.

Pete

zoner · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:05:06 AM »

pete's right.....the only thing to do is buy em all

AtlLaw · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:27:01 AM »

Well Zacky old boy, you is already made up your mind, you just ain't realized it yet!

You just need sumbody to point it out to you. Kinda like my wife did when she told me I was going to marry her...

Note the following:

Quote from: zackyholdem on September 30, 2009, 09:35:24 AM

what i'm looking for is things like "the 06 i had didn't shoot well" or the ".308 wasn't that accurate" or "the .270 i had was great"

You see, the '06 and 308 are stated in the negative and the 270 in the posative! This is your subconscious telling you what you really want! Go for it!

With those three you can't go wrong whatever you decide! Not to mention the fact that the cartridge doesn't necessarily make a particular rifle good or bad...

But you really do need a 45-70... and a 30-30, and a 44 Mag, and a 357... and a ... well, you get the picture...

UH OH!!!

notice all the cartidges I just listed are all rimmed! And I don't have rifles in the last 3 cartridges! My mind is telling me I MUST buy those rifles post haste!!!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2009, 12:16:49 PM »

If My memory serves, and usually it does not, Richard, Didn't you buy a 30-30 and turn it into a 30-40 Krag?
You also forgot to mention that Handi rifles can be modified in this way.
45-70 into 45-90, 45-110, and your 45-120.
So. Buying one may have you buying others.

As for my vote. I would vote 308Win. Same ballistics as 06 lettle less recoil.
Personally I do not like 270Win. Both uncles have one and turn too much of the deer into Jelly with the small fast bullets.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2009, 12:37:12 PM »

You can't go wrong with all three, so the easiest answer to your question of which one should you buy, would be just flip a coin!

I've used all three and each has it's own merits, but they basically all get the job done.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2009, 12:45:06 PM »

I don't have any experience with the .308 or .270 but I have shot my friend's '06 Handi and it's pretty accurate with factory ammo.

poncaguy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:16:21 PM »

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:49:02 PM »

30 caliber might give you a wider range of bullet weights.

JerryKo · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:33:42 PM »

Richard...im really scared....I was thinking the same thing about 270 having a posative...dang im even spelling like you.

Hard to pick of the three. They should all be great if you follow the FAQS! Goodluck...cause you really cant make a bad pick there.

Jerry

zackyholdem · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:34:25 PM »

thanks a bunch for all the help, i was leaning towards the .270

, but then i was thinkin that the 06 and the .270 have around the same ballistics with the lighter bullets (150gr) and with a 06 i could step up into the the larger bullets 180-200's if i ever decide to shoot larger game, but then i was thinking that more elk have prolly fallen to the .270 than anyone wants to admit lol,

so then i started thinking 06 but like mcwoodduck said i can do everything with the .308 that i can do with the 06 with less recoil and an abundance of military surplus ammo. the .308 is intriguing to me because i never have really thought of it as a hunting round until i looked at some ballistic tables today

i think my head is going to explode

i guess it comes down to the classic Jack O'connor vs Elmer Keith debate, small and fast vs bigger and a slower.

and i would buy all three but i still have college to pay for

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2009, 03:03:46 PM »

Read up on the 308 and I think it will be the choice for ya. It's almost as popular in places as the 06 or the 270 and will have less recoil and will do all you listed and them some. I have owned several and all were accurate with the right load, several were accurate with several loads. One was the most accurate factory rifle I have ever had, and that's a bunch. In the end, buy the one ya want and you will be happy, I'm sure. Then start yer wish list for the next 30-40 Christmas' cause you'll want more.

DP

IronMan · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2009, 03:05:51 PM »

As mentioned before. Have them order a 45-70. Cant go wrong with them big ol boolets and will take anything in North America.

The Hermit · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2009, 03:22:24 PM »

All three will get the job done. But, put me down as being a .45-70 nut.
Welcome to the forum. Lots of nice folks here.

The Hermit

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2009, 03:49:10 PM »

+1 on 45-70

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:13:32 PM »

What, that old thing? Why you wouldn't catch me havi...oh ya, well that is an excellent choice also.

I keep coming back to that one, the one I have now will probably be here after I'm gone and may have some "sisters" DP

spikehorn · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2009, 05:01:11 PM »

308 308 308 I love the 308 I have a handi that is set up for deer hunting using rem 150gr. i have a stevens 200 set up for chuck hunting with wolf 150gr and a 1916 spanish mauser short rifle that I just shoot sometimes. I think my addiction to 308's almost matches my hadiholicism

Lazermule · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2009, 04:22:31 AM »

+1 on the 45/70.....love that darn thing....

Dweezil · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:35:51 AM »

.308. Best of both worlds. Can be loaded subsonic for plinking. Can be loaded heavy if you decide to shoot Elk. Most versatile of the 3 choices. I'll be odd man out and say don't buy all 3. Take the extra money and START RELOADING. It'll open up a whole new world and will be extremely important when you finally realize you really can't live without a 45/70.

petemi · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:52:09 AM »

If you decide on the .308, try Winchester Supreme 168 gr silvertips. I read somewhere years ago that the 168 gr. boat tail was the ballistically correct bullet for the .308. I tried them, and they're super accurate and reliable out of my Ruger. I never since changed it's hunting diet. I've killed deer, coyote and fox out to almost 400 yards with that round. I do, once in a great while shoot cheap ammo or Mil-Surp out of it....but not often.

Pete

shvlhead.45 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:06:55 AM »

I concur with Petemi. From data that I have read (think it may be in stickies or basics) the 1:10 rifling in the Handi is optimized for most bullets of cup and core configuration in the 160-180 grain weights. My .308 handi only does 2"-3" groups with the 150 and lighter grain bullets. 165 grain Fusions are my go to factory rounds and my brother has loaded some Hornady SSTs and Sierra Game Kings that did very nicely in my .308 and .30-30 Handis. They kill white tails DRT too.

jim36 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:16:04 AM »

Zack... I think your post was incorrect. It should have read, WHICH HANDI-RIFLE SHOULD I BUY "FIRST?"

You have started an addiction that can't be cured. Gettum all. No handiholic can be calmed down till you get the 45 70. Ask Pete, there is nothing like this round. Lots of history, and a "hoot to shoot". Welcome to the neighborhood.

Jim

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:43:58 PM »

Welcome aboard Zack as you can see you probly asked the toughest ?? there is for these guys to give you a straight answer to. All will do the job very well all are extremly whitetail accurate and all three have many differant types of factory loads readily availible personally I would go with the 06... why I do not know I flipped a coin and it was odd man out. Kurt

myarmor · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2009, 04:40:58 PM »

There is always the question of caliber and then there is the question of it in a Handi. Some calibers report exceptional accuracy over others such as the 308, but it might not be as accurate in a Handi as a bolt action.
From track record as I can recall, the 30-06 and 270 have both been excellent shooters over all in Handis. I have had both cals in a couple barrels and both of these cals were very accurate with a lot of different loads.
I am not saying the 308 is a bad choice... heck it's a long tme favorite for me I love it!... nor am I saying that 308 Handis are all together inaccurate, many can testify the 308 Survivor barrels can be VERY accurate..... only that I seem to recall better reports in a Handi with the other 2.
Just my 2 cents... some cals are more accurate in a Handi than others.

-Aaron

petemi · « **Reply #26 on:** October 02, 2009, 02:08:16 AM »

Patty's got a Rem 700 stainless mountain rifle in .270, and I've got my Ruger M77 MKII in .308. She can shoot the pants off me, but it's not because her rifle is better than mine.....she's a better shot. I call the .308 the "Magic Rifle". I have made many "impossible" shots with it over the years. I was wondering, if it could be the light, thin barrel of the MKII compared to the Bull of the Survivor. To the best of my knowledge, the stock on the MKII doesn't touch the barrel, and I believe the natural whip of the barrel is responsible for it's inherent accuracy. You guys got any thoughts on this?

Pete

pvtschultz · « **Reply #27 on:** October 02, 2009, 02:51:54 AM »

I'll throw in my $0.025.

I own a 45-70 and a 223 barrel for my Handi. The 45-70 is a hoot to shoot, but you'll go broke doing it with factory ammo. If you aren't a reloader, I'd take a pass on it for now (you can always pick up a barrel later in life for serious killing power). My first real rifle was a custom rifle that I built on a Mauser action in 308 WIN. I love that cartrige. I had great luck with 150 gr Winchester Ballistic Silver Tips in it. Handloads found it true potential though. My brother-in-law uses a 270 WIN and it does tend to really turn the inside of deer into jello. If you are going to be shooting under 300 yards (you can almost do it with POA and hot 150 gr loads); I'd go with the 308 WIN. If you were buying a more expensive rifle, I would say 30-06 only because the added case volume allows for launching 180-200 gr bullets with greater ease. The 308 WIN is right at home with 150-168 gr bullets (mine thus far prefers 150 gr but I haven't tried many 168 grain bullets). With the Handi, you can buy the 308 WIN, shoot the heck out of it, and if you ever decide to go moose hunting, send her in for a 45-70 barrel and nothing on this continent will be out of reach. Whatever you do, keep all of your brass. The stuff is valuable you others and maybe you in the future if you ever decide to roll your own.

mannyrock · « **Reply #28 on:** October 02, 2009, 06:20:47 AM »

Zack,

Everything you said about the .308 Winchester is correct. It is a wonderful cartridge and will be the best of both worlds for you. In its regular factory loads, it has about 94% of the power of the .30-06, but with approximately 30% less free-recoil energy. If you want a more powerful load for elk, you just buy one of the factory Hi-Energy or Light Magnum loads, with a premium (Nosler or Barnes) 168 grain bullet, and you have the same power as a standard factory .30-06 and more than enough bullet to handle the job.

The .270 is a wonderful deer round. Yes, it can handle an elk, but is marginal for the purpose and leaves no room for any error. Given a perfect shot, yes it will dump one. But, stuff happens, shots can be pulled, wind can shift, game can flinch, range can be misjudged, and then that 150 grain bullet will wound the game.

No reason for your head to hurt. Go with the .308. And if not, then go with the .30-06.

Best,

Mannyrock

1NEFsofar · « **Reply #29 on:** October 02, 2009, 07:50:19 AM »

I vote for 308...however I do it reluctently. I have a 308 and 45-70 and LOVE both. I always have a hard time deciding which to use for hunting. One of the merits of the 308 is pinpoint accuracy even with commercial loads. I recently shot a <0.75" group with my 308 with Remington 150 Core lock bullets. This was a 2-shot cold bore group. My only complaint would be that the 308 heats up faster and starts to string shots after the second shot...of course this should not effect you deer hunting (unless you miss a LOT and often!). I don;t have experience with the other claibers you mentioned as I am very happy with the 308 and do not see any reason to buy anything else to cloud my mind!

I really don't think that you can go wrong with whatever choice you make.