- Location
- Kawartha Lakes
Thinking of picking up a H/R Handi-Rifle.......just because. But cant make up my mind on what caliber......any Suggestions? pros/cons? experiences?
35 Whelen, 444 Marlin or 45-70 Gov ?
- Thread starter deckerhead
- Start date
- Location
- Kawartha Lakes
Ya gotta admit....Im leaning towards the Whelen....
Can't go wrong with the 35. I have two, its easily my favorite caliber. Not quite as versatile as the 30-06, but more so than the 444 or 45-70. I've used it on deer, elk, moose, and a couple coyotes. Nothing bad to say about it really. I would guess the recoil in that rifle chambered in the 444 or 45-70 would get your attention relatively quickly, too.
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- Location
- Kawartha Lakes
Why ??
In older Handi Whelen's there were headspace problems ... This is largey a thing of the past... I own all three... For versatiity, I would rank them #1 .45/70 #2 whelen #3 .444... But for usefuness within the moderate range big game niche I would put the Whelen ahead of the Gov... And .444 still last.
Also, the design of the extractor is not the greatest for a rimless cartridge. The least bit of resistance when removing a fired case and the extractor can slip over case head leaving the case struck in the chamber. This doesn't happen all the time - the rifles I have shot averaged about one failure to extract in every 50-75 rounds. Not an issue at the range - just carry a short piece of brass rod to drop down the muzzle - but a definite concern when hunting if you ever think you will need a second shot in a hurry.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
What is the rifle for? As a general purpose hunting round, the .35 Whelen is easier to shoot at longer ranges, but as a bear defense cartridge, the .45/70 handloaded to its full potential out performs the two. If you can get a .45/70 a .444 Marlin would seem to serve little purpose, just like the .45/70 would serve little purpose if you could get a .458.
The problem associated with these cartridges is the rifle you intend to use them in. The little H&R rilfle is pretty light, which I assume is its charm. I had an early one in .22 Hornet that was so difficult to shoot due to its heavy trigger, I was seldom able to take advantage of the cartridge's usefulness. In your case, due to the rifle's light weight and poor stock design, recoil will be just terrible, particularly with a .45/70 loaded with 500 gr hard cast WFN bullets at 1850 fps. That is not the load for a 5 pound rifle, and I frankly would be concerned about the cheap hinged action, and non-bushed firing pin taking the heat. As a survival gun to carry disassembled in a pack, none of those cartridges would be my first choice, but the little H&R rifle would shine in that role.
Dare I suggest you consider a Ruger #1? While a #1 has its disadvantages, this rifle is fully capable when chambered for the most powerful rimmed or rimless sporting cartridges ever to drop off a drafting table, and there is enough weight there to make shooting them survivable. The triggers are usually pretty good, and accuracy is well within the acceptable limits if my .416 Rigby was typical.
The problem associated with these cartridges is the rifle you intend to use them in. The little H&R rilfle is pretty light, which I assume is its charm. I had an early one in .22 Hornet that was so difficult to shoot due to its heavy trigger, I was seldom able to take advantage of the cartridge's usefulness. In your case, due to the rifle's light weight and poor stock design, recoil will be just terrible, particularly with a .45/70 loaded with 500 gr hard cast WFN bullets at 1850 fps. That is not the load for a 5 pound rifle, and I frankly would be concerned about the cheap hinged action, and non-bushed firing pin taking the heat. As a survival gun to carry disassembled in a pack, none of those cartridges would be my first choice, but the little H&R rifle would shine in that role.
Dare I suggest you consider a Ruger #1? While a #1 has its disadvantages, this rifle is fully capable when chambered for the most powerful rimmed or rimless sporting cartridges ever to drop off a drafting table, and there is enough weight there to make shooting them survivable. The triggers are usually pretty good, and accuracy is well within the acceptable limits if my .416 Rigby was typical.
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- Location
- Kawartha Lakes
Thanks all......I don't think the H/R Handi rifle comes in 458. The reason I'm considering it is because they are cheap.
- Location
- Prince George. BC
Get 45-70, 444, Then get a 30-06, and when you get more money a 308, those 4 plus a 22 rifle and your set for life.
- Location
- Kawartha Lakes
I dont need another 30-06 or 308....own about a dozen!! and probably about 30 22cal in different variations......pretty much set for life with a lot of others.....but don't own a Whelen,45-70 or 444...."yet"......lol
- Location
- Kawartha Lakes
I would like a H/R Buffalo Classic in 45-70 and even tried to buy one on EE.....but everyone seems to forget that they were a $300 rifle !?
