H&R single shot rifles
- Thread starter snowsniper8
- Start date
They are reasonably accurate ?
Solid build but I do not like the plastic on the fore arm section
If the lock up latch has any oil at all on it the rifle can pop open upon firing
For the money IMHO they are an OK buy but not great.( I think new they are more than $200 ) For about the same money you can get a bolt action axis with a DBM which is more for your money.
For better quality single shots look to TC or Rugers but that will cost $$$
Solid build but I do not like the plastic on the fore arm section
If the lock up latch has any oil at all on it the rifle can pop open upon firing
For the money IMHO they are an OK buy but not great.( I think new they are more than $200 ) For about the same money you can get a bolt action axis with a DBM which is more for your money.
For better quality single shots look to TC or Rugers but that will cost $$$
They have reportedly corrected that break open issue..... and if you had a rifle that had that issue they were fixing them free of charge...
I guess I should clarify that mine has teh heavy bull barrel which likely helps with the accuracy....
- Location
- Chilliwack
I talked with a fellow on another forum who worked at the factory building the H&R rifles.
What I learned from him is that the 7MM-08 was the caliber that gave them the most problems. The more you shoot the rifle the better the rifle will shoot.
What I learned from him is that the 7MM-08 was the caliber that gave them the most problems. The more you shoot the rifle the better the rifle will shoot.
I have one in 357 magnum. It's an okay gun, I like the simplicity. It was not $200, but closer to $350 with taxes and shipping. If you can find one at a local shop they might be wanting to get rid of it for less.
Really unless you are buying a caliber that isn't common, (22 hornet, 45-70 etc), you might want to pony up another $100 and buy a Stevens 200 or Marlin.
Really unless you are buying a caliber that isn't common, (22 hornet, 45-70 etc), you might want to pony up another $100 and buy a Stevens 200 or Marlin.
I got one in .45-70 about a month ago, its a handi-rifle 22" barrel, wood stock, open sights, really good recoil pad on it too. This year i was deer and bear hunting near algonquin (thick bush), and the size and power are perfect for that task. I gotta say though, the open sights on the handi are ok, but they could be better. I am thinking of adding a rear peep and a marbles front, so long as it doesn't end up costing more than i paid for the gun. Also looking for a Buffalo classic, They also make a 12 gauge slug gun with open sights, that might be cool too. skokie.
A lot of guys have their hate on for the handi; and I sort of agree: for just a tiny bit more money, you can find a Savage Axis or Stevens 200 or Marlin XL-whatever. Any of those would make far more practical hunting guns. Almost certainly more accurate, too.
But, I do have a soft spot for the handi. It *is* a fun little package, especially for plinking. The break action means you get a very short overall gun, and they are indeed very 'handi.' Personally, I think H&R should produce a carbine version; make it as short as legally possibly, perhaps coming from the factory with a 16.5" barrel; I could see how that set up would be extremely popular with farmers and ranchers, and those who could use a short, fast truck gun.
Accuracy-wise they're OK, I've never had any complaints. Though if you're looking for benchrest bug-holes, this is probably not the gun for you. But for splattering gopers out to about 200 yards, you shouldn't have too many problems.
Personally, I prefer my Handi's in smaller and/or slower cartridges. To me, something like a 30-06 or 270 just isn't what the handi is all about. Because of the hammer spur, mounting a scope is problematic - in order for the bell to clear the hammer, the scope needs to be mounted pretty dang high. So, for a long range scoped hunting rifle, I'd look elsewhere.
But for a nice 45-70 boomer (or the 500S&W!) with open sights or a small scope with a small bell, or a 44 magnum plinker; or a 22-hornet or 223 varminter for cheap gopher blasting, the fun factor of these (or any) break-action single shots is really hard to overstate. They're an absolute hoot for this sort of usage.
As to build quality - they're reasonably well built and solid feeling. About what you'd expect for any gun in this price range I suppose. Because of the nature of the action, they tend to loosen up if you're pushing the pressure limits, or blasting through a ton of ammo. But, as I say - smaller and/or slower (lower pressure) cartridges are what this gun excels at. Whip up a bunch of 44 magnum cowboy loads with soft lead bullets at about 800fps, and tell me that this isn't an addictive little rifle for bashing gongs or gophers with, I dare you. Nobody who's tried my 44 with these loads has ever failed to grin like an idiot
But, I do have a soft spot for the handi. It *is* a fun little package, especially for plinking. The break action means you get a very short overall gun, and they are indeed very 'handi.' Personally, I think H&R should produce a carbine version; make it as short as legally possibly, perhaps coming from the factory with a 16.5" barrel; I could see how that set up would be extremely popular with farmers and ranchers, and those who could use a short, fast truck gun.
Accuracy-wise they're OK, I've never had any complaints. Though if you're looking for benchrest bug-holes, this is probably not the gun for you. But for splattering gopers out to about 200 yards, you shouldn't have too many problems.
Personally, I prefer my Handi's in smaller and/or slower cartridges. To me, something like a 30-06 or 270 just isn't what the handi is all about. Because of the hammer spur, mounting a scope is problematic - in order for the bell to clear the hammer, the scope needs to be mounted pretty dang high. So, for a long range scoped hunting rifle, I'd look elsewhere.
But for a nice 45-70 boomer (or the 500S&W!) with open sights or a small scope with a small bell, or a 44 magnum plinker; or a 22-hornet or 223 varminter for cheap gopher blasting, the fun factor of these (or any) break-action single shots is really hard to overstate. They're an absolute hoot for this sort of usage.
As to build quality - they're reasonably well built and solid feeling. About what you'd expect for any gun in this price range I suppose. Because of the nature of the action, they tend to loosen up if you're pushing the pressure limits, or blasting through a ton of ammo. But, as I say - smaller and/or slower (lower pressure) cartridges are what this gun excels at. Whip up a bunch of 44 magnum cowboy loads with soft lead bullets at about 800fps, and tell me that this isn't an addictive little rifle for bashing gongs or gophers with, I dare you. Nobody who's tried my 44 with these loads has ever failed to grin like an idiot
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
The .17 HMR sportster is what I had my eye on. I am reading plenty of reviews of amazing accuracy out of these guns, and they are $200.
I'll be pickin one up as soon as the LGR is gone. I ain't buying anything NR till then.
I'll be pickin one up as soon as the LGR is gone. I ain't buying anything NR till then.
I actually paid over $400 for my NEF Superlight in .223Remington, but that was before the Stevens200 was on the market. At the time, it was the lowest price for a new rifle. The price has since come down, but I don't mind because I got what I wanted when I wanted it.
I have been very lucky and since acquired a used barrel for it in .308Winchester so now I have a coyote rifle and a deer rifle.
Snowsniper8, yes, they are any good. There are guns that are better in various ways and those cost at least a little more, some a lot more. As others have said, the Handi-Rifles are accurate enough for hunting, and they are light and handy to carry and simple to operate. Those of us that like all that tend to like the Handi-Rifle a lot.
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
I came upon one of these rifles in 45-70 for a good price, and I love it. Really nice if you reload though....cheap as dirt. My only complaint is the front post is too thick for my liking. Well, that, and the recoil when you start working your way up.
They seem like they might be ok, but i fear that some accuracy issues i might be stuck with. Impossible to have a free floating barrel or bed the stock with the 2 piece stocks :S That said, if it'll shoot 2 moa that's probably good enough for what i would use it for, or expect from a rifle in the lower end price bracket.
It would be nice of you could mix and match. The "survivor" model with the bull barrel in .223 or .308 would be nice because of the bull barrel if it didn't have the wierd fugly stock. Even one of the synthetic handi grip stocks looks better. I'd like one with both .223 and .308 barrels, but with the grey thumbhole laminate stock from the stainless 45-70. The rifle stocks are apparently interchangeable.
It would be nice of you could mix and match. The "survivor" model with the bull barrel in .223 or .308 would be nice because of the bull barrel if it didn't have the wierd fugly stock. Even one of the synthetic handi grip stocks looks better. I'd like one with both .223 and .308 barrels, but with the grey thumbhole laminate stock from the stainless 45-70. The rifle stocks are apparently interchangeable.
I don't like the look of my survivor stock but it is surprisingly comfortable to shoot... Especially from a bacvk up against a tree position while yote hunting.... If you don't like the stocks choate makes all kinds of aftermarket ones that fit the handis...
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Wouldn't be my first choice...Or second, or third or....
Or my last!
I shot this group out of my H&R survivor today as I sighted it in for yote season (.223).... this was my intitial group shot using a lawnchair and a monopod at 100 yards..... nothing fancy..... it may not be what you want to bring to a shooting match... but goddam close!
