Author Topic: Light and "Handi" Handi rifle? (Read 2781 times)

Fortkevin2 · « **on:** November 09, 2009, 05:57:48 PM »

Well guys, I bought a rifle recently(223 ultra) and have sold everything but the receiver...

I'm looking for a new "project" to work on. I'm looking for a rifle that's light, compact and powerful( 243 cal and up). Synthetic stock is a must and if I can shorten the barrel to make it lighter, All the better!

I want a rifle that I can carry around all day while hiking/walking around the lake etc. What have you guys done? Pictures and info would be great! THANKS!

Dinny · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2009, 06:53:10 PM »

For shots on deer up to 150yds, I would recommend a customized .357 Maxi with a 16.5" barrel. You would have a blast shooting some of the lighter .38 loads too.

Dinny 5 more days.........

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2009, 08:20:01 PM »

243 Superlight.

Tim

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2009, 02:14:26 AM »

Quote from: Dinny on November 09, 2009, 06:53:10 PM

For shots on deer up to 150yds, I would recommend a customized .357 Maxi with a 16.5" barrel. You would have a blast shooting some of the lighter .38 loads too.

Dinny 5 more days.........

X2 on what Dinny said. With that setup you'd be all set from squirrels to black bears.

Swampman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2009, 02:18:22 AM »

The .357 would be my choice.

Couger · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2009, 02:18:49 AM »

Why not a std contour barrel cut to 20inches, or even 18inches ..... ??

in .243?

.260?

7mm-08?

.30-30?

or .308?

You didn't give many details on what you'd use your ltwt all-day-carry piece, nor the conditions or shooting you'd be doing. Heck, even saying what state you live in and kind of land you shoot on wpould go far to explain your "needs."

jlwilliams · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2009, 02:38:20 AM »

I have a similar project in the works. 357 mag, shortened to 16 1/2" with a synthetic stock. I'm really leaning toward fluting the barrel. The Handi's mostly have fairly thick barrel contours to allow the barrels to be interchangeable. That leaves some of the small and midsized bores in fat barrels. I figure fluting a shortened barrel may make a Handi more handier.

The weight of the barrels is kind of an issue. I never quite understood why the "Survivor" rifles have heavy barrels and no iron sights. A survival gun, with no iron sights? No backup for the glass? And the bull barrels, while nice and accurate,are a bit heavier than really needed. Bull barrels are great for shooting, not so great for carrying. The Survivor rifles would be in more canoes, backpacks and bush planes if they had a few more ounces shaved off here and there. My .308 is also screaming for a fluted barrel. Oh yeah, and backup sights.

Also working on modifying a folding stock (originally from a Mossy 500) to put on a Handi. I've been using the action from the 357 as my set up point. I don't know if I will ultimately go with a folder on a Handi, I'll see how it feels and points. I'm really leaning toward a $200 tax stamp for my contender to make it a short barreled rifle and use any barrel I have with the carbine stock. If (when) I do that there won't be much point to the folder on the Handi when I can put a Choate folder on the Contender for a reallly backpackable rifle.

There are quite a few places who will flute and refinish a barrel for you. Whatever round you decide to go with, a shortened and fluted barrel may make the end result light enough to be what you want.

As an aside, all the playing around with the plastic and the folders has yet to make any of them my favorite Handi. That honor still goes to my pallet wood .223 (or 20g slug barrel, depending what time of year it is). The Handis in wood just seem ..... more right.

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2009, 02:51:02 AM »

Nice thought out post, jl. I completly agree with you on the iron sights. You can tell that decision was made by an office plankton.

When trying to go light, I have noticed that sometimes the wood is lighter than plastic. You just have to weigh them and see.

I've been giving thought to a 45 ACP/Auto Rim for a light weight Handi.

Cat

peternap · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2009, 04:09:00 AM »

Jut Kidding!

I'd agree with a shortened 357, Good Iron Sights and Warne QD Rings.

Buckeye · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2009, 04:15:01 AM »

I once had a Rossi in 357 Max..was thinking of a similar project ..but sold it..

Buckeye · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2009, 04:22:20 AM »

On a second thought ..you may want to be careful about which Caliber (cartridge) you chose if you are going to bob the barrel...maybe a caliber that doesn't loose alot of velocity with a shortened barrel..maybe a pistol cartridge or 30-30 ..i'm sure how much effect a shortened barrel would have on a 243 Win.
the 357 Max would be a good choice though..powerful round that shoots a larger dia. bullet...the 180 gr. XTP is a great bullet for this round..really hard to beat..

Mike

BrianB · « **Reply #11 on:** November 10, 2009, 04:32:17 AM »

I agree on the .357 Magnum. Whether you handload or not, there is no way you can beat the versatility.

Fortkevin2 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:02:12 AM »

hey Guys,
Thanks for all the info!! I currently have a 357 barrel that's been reamed to max. I LOVE THAT GUN! It's an awesome round. I was thinking about using the max barrel but I'm hesitant to cut it shorter. It HAS iron sights as of now which is a big plus in my book. I am "cheap" though and not sure if I want to pay $50 just to install a front sight once I cut the barrel.

I will give it some thought and see... does anyone have pics of a shortened 357 barrel? I did a search and found one that had been shortened to 17".

OSOK · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:36:44 AM »

Peternap, it that thing still 8mm? That has to be rather brutal when it comes to recoil!

mike@nds · « **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2009, 03:37:36 PM »

It's really counterproductive to chop the barrel on a high velocity cartridge. Not to mention all the muzzle blast.

I agree with the pistol caliber or 30-30 recommendations.

I have a 16" 8mm mauser carbine, and I only enjoy shooting it for the looks it gets at the range. Don't ever shoot it without earplugs.

Elkoholic · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:22:10 PM »

I like Tim's 20" ultra lite 243 option - especially if shots can be 150-200 yards. If they're always under 100,
take your pick: 243, 357 mag/max, 30-30... or 44 mag too. However, the 243 ultra lite is ready to go, no
cutting, crowning. etc.

Let us know your final decision... and of course - PICTURES!!

Mike

Fortkevin2 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2009, 05:52:50 PM »

Thanks everyone!! I'm thinking about getting my 357 max cut to 16.5". I saw a buddy's handi chambered in S&W 500 and the fiber optic sights were awesome. Does anyone know of someone that will do a GOOD job cutting the barrel, crowning it and putting a sight set like that on for a reasonable price?

Swampman · « **Reply #17 on:** November 10, 2009, 11:56:13 PM »

The .243 light weight barrel is probably the hardest barrel H&R makes to get to shoot well.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #18 on:** November 11, 2009, 12:08:04 AM »

I agree with Dinny.. the 357MAXIMUM, hands down!!! If no, the 357Mag, 44mag, 500S&W or handloaded 45Colt. All would be efficent in a short barrel have plenty of power for the task at hand and with syn stocks be quite lite!!

Let us know what you do!! WITH PICS!!!

CW

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 11, 2009, 02:14:05 AM »

If your shots are going to be less than 150 yards then another good option is the 45 Colt especially if you handload. Mine was light and Handi right out of the box. The 20" barrel is plenty short on a Handi action. The only change I made was putting a front firesight on it which can be done at home easily.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #20 on:** November 11, 2009, 11:09:12 AM »

Quote from: Catshooter45 on November 10, 2009, 02:51:02 AM

I've been giving thought to a 45 ACP/Auto Rim for a light weight Handi.

Cat

Heck yeah! I've been wishing H&R/NEF would offer Handis in the auto pistol calibers. May not be what the OP requires, but a light carbine in 9mm, 40s&w or 45acp would be a great plinking or walking around gun for lots of people. Not at all whitetail rifles, but great for rabbits, possum, racoon and all sorts of vermin animals or just general plinking. The auto pistol ammo tends to come up on sale now and again and people tend to stock up on it when they can, if even just because their Glocks eat so much ammo so quickly at the range. I'll bet plenty of guys would like an under three hundred dollar rifle that shoots ammo they already have. Handloaders can get some real performance out of the little cartridges.

Default · « **Reply #21 on:** November 11, 2009, 01:20:52 PM »

44 mag with the SB1 reciever with a compact bushnell banner with a survivor stock ( and you can stow your ammo in the rifle ) comes in at 6 pounds on my scale , whack off 5 1/2 inches of barrel and I can see this package becoming even more appealing as far as weight is concerned, Cause we all know the 44 isnt lacking in power and can be loaded to a low roar with 22 mag recoil .

Default

myarmor · « **Reply #22 on:** November 11, 2009, 01:38:35 PM »

Quote from: Default on November 11, 2009, 01:20:52 PM

44 mag with the SB1 reciever with a compact bushnell banner with a survivor stock ( and you can stow your ammo in the rifle ) comes in at 6 pounds on my scale , whack off 5 1/2 inches of barrel and I can see this package becoming even more appealing as far as weight is concerned, Cause we all know the 44 isnt lacking in power and can be loaded to a low roar with 22 mag recoil .

Default

Diddo that. Or even save more weight with a decent Reddot.. depending if/on the range you are wanting to shot.
Nice compact Thumper.... love the 44Mag in a carbine!

-Aaron

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #23 on:** November 11, 2009, 02:14:42 PM »

The bigger the bore, the lighter the barrel. 44 mag, 45 Colt, 45-70, 500 S&W would all be pretty light to start with and then shortened. Make sure ya put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it!

Forgot to add the 45 colt/410 combo barrel. DP

Default · « **Reply #24 on:** November 11, 2009, 05:33:13 PM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on November 11, 2009, 11:09:12 AM

Quote from: Catshooter45 on November 10, 2009, 02:51:02 AM

I've been giving thought to a 45 ACP/Auto Rim for a light weight Handi.

Cat

Heck yeah! I've been wishing H&R/NEF would offer Handis in the auto pistol calibers. May not be what the OP requires, but a light carbine in 9mm, 40s&w or 45acp would be a great plinking or walking around gun for lots of people. Not at all whitetail rifles, but great for rabbits, possum, racoon and all sorts of vermin animals or just general plinking. The auto pistol ammo tends to come up on sale now and again and people tend to stock up on it when they can, if even just because their Glocks eat so much ammo so quickly at the range. I'll bet plenty of guys would like an under three hundred dollar rifle that shoots ammo they already have. Handloaders can get some real performance out of the little cartridges.

Just load up the 44 mag with 5.5 grains of HP-38 for 907 FPS out of a rifle ( IMR's Data center listing) w/ a cast 240gr bullet , and it has 22 mag recoil and you didnt have to want, beg or borrow remington to get it.. In fact that seems to me to be close to 44 spcl. velocities out of a light carry gun

This is a load i took with me for a buddies little girl to try for her first time shooting and accuracy was there with consistency .. 2 1/4" high at 50 and bullseye at 100 , this is the load i will let my 9 year old twin neices learn to shoot with

Default

Fortkevin2 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 11, 2009, 07:39:55 PM »

The Plan--
Since I already have the 357 Max barrel I'm going to stick to that. I picked up a youth synthetic stock from a buddy of mine and will be going with that. If it doesn't fit how I want(way to small) I'll put it up for sale here. I will post some pics when I get it all put together!

I'm at SOME POINT going to shorten the barrel but I'm hesitant to do that. To be honest, I will probably just get a smith to cut and crown it + put the front sight back on. That way I know it will be done right. Will have pics asap. Thanks all!

jlwilliams · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:31:24 AM »

Quote from: Default on November 11, 2009, 05:33:13 PM

Quote from: jlwilliams on November 11, 2009, 11:09:12 AM
Quote from: Catshooter45 on November 10, 2009, 02:51:02 AM

I've been giving thought to a 45 ACP/Auto Rim for a light weight Handi.

Cat

Heck yeah! I've been wishing H&R/NEF would offer Handis in the auto pistol calibers. May not be what the OP requires, but a light carbine in 9mm, 40s&w or 45acp would be a great plinking or walking around gun for lots of people. Not at all whitetail rifles, but great for rabbits, possum, racoon and all sorts of vermin animals or just general plinking. The auto pistol ammo tends to come up on sale now and again and people tend to stock up on it when they can, if even just because their Glocks eat so much ammo so quickly at the range. I'll bet plenty of guys would like an under three hundred dollar rifle that shoots ammo they already have. Handloaders can get some real performance out of the little cartridges.

Just load up the 44 mag with 5.5 grains of HP-38 for 907 FPS out of a rifle ( IMR's Data center listing) w/ a cast 240gr bullet , and it has 22 mag recoil and you didnt have to want, beg or borrow remington to get it.. In fact that seems to me to be close to 44 spcl. velocities out of a light carry gun This is a load i took with me for a buddies little girl to try for her first time shooting and accuracy was there with consistency .. 2 1/4" high at 50 and bullseye at 100 , this is the load i will let my 9 year old twin neices learn to shoot with

Default

No doubt that 44 mag handloads cand do anything the smaller pistol rounds can do and more. I think that offering the Handi in the auto pistol calibers may bring in people who may not have considered the practicality of the single shot rifle. People who have a semi auto pistol (single firearm owners) may go for a companion rifle in the same caliber. For non hand loaders, there is no cheaper centerfire round than auto pistol ammo. Besides, I think that the market in 9mm rifles is way out of whack. You could pay a grand for a blowback AR looking rifle that shoots 9mm. A grand, for a blow back gun shooting a dinky round? Yep. Now, offer me a rfile that shoots the same round as a pistol I already own and offer it to me for about $260 (last I looked) and I may get one just to take it to the range with the pistol. Now I know, .357 and .44 revolver rounds are way more versitile than 9mm, .40 or .45 auto pistol rounds, but offering Handis in those calibers would bring people in. Don't those poor souls deserve a Handi? I think they do.

wreckhog · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:35:23 AM »

High Point carbine or maybe a Keltec. The HPs are considered ultra reliable. The Keltec ultra compact. They might even use existing pistol mags.

Default · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:43:47 AM »

J,

Your point is well taken ... I agree 100% that there is a giant gap to be filled with pistol calibered carbines ... Unfortunately when they come from a good source they just want to damn much for them or its one of those boat anchor Hi-points ( YEEEeeeeessSsSSS I know they can be accurate but come on Buck Rogers lol) And then it doesnt take long to watch them fall from the companies line up , Like the Ruger carbines ... Or even better yet the Deerfield44 mags from Ruger, everyone loves the idea but i think it is just a 1000 of us nationwide , cause they dont stay in production long enough for us average joes to save up for one ... Then they are gone and there is always some SOB that wants to charge $200+ over the original MSRP for them at a gun show or on gunbroker lol ...
Sorry for the rant , Just pives me..

But i can see people that dont reload wanting to have the same advantage i have with my 357/44 mag/45 LC pistols and same calibered rifles ... You know i think those cowboys were onto something with that duel calibered long arm/side arm idea..

My only concern is given the track record of carbines in the seni auto realm i doubt Remmie will take the chance , other side of the coin is they do make them then they have poor sales and are gone before they have a chance to shine.

Default

trotterlg · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2009, 12:53:35 PM »

This is about what you will get, this is a 17 FB, but it could just as easy be a 30-06. Larry