Opinions on NEF Handi Rifle?

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I am thinking about one of these simple single break actions in .223, .22-250or .243. I am thinking it will be a great gun for new shooters I take to the range or hunting (nephew, wife, eventally my kids etc.) plus it would be a cheap toy that I could justify to the missus as I don't have a gun in a varmint cartridge or a single shot :D.

Any opinions or experience with this gun? See the web page I thought I would go with either a bare bones or the synthetic stainless.

h ttp://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/handiRifle.aspx
 
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If you are sold on the single shot then also check out the Baikal offereing. I have one and it shoots quite well.

If you are looking based on price, save $30 more and buy the stevens 200.
 
I like them (I have 2 at this point 204 ruger and 22 hornet), but I do think if a Stevens comes chambered in something you like then the Stevens is the better bet(I have one of these).

Handis can be prone to issues and sometimes require tinkering to get the most out of them, but the two I have where real easy to get to shoot I had a third it was a bit of a problem child but in the end it shot OK.

I would go wood stock then thumbhole, because forearm fit is one of the areas that can cause problems and in general the wood stocks are easier to work with. My hornet has a synthetic stock but accuracy requirements are not that stringent its already done a hair over 1.25" for 3 shots @ 100 so that is plenty good enough seeing there is maybe 50 more yards in it as a coyote gun.
 
I have a .243 bull barrel and it's fun to shoot.The deer this year never knew what hit it. The only problem is finding what they like to eat.Mine is 80 grainers.Anything else you can't predict where they are going
 
Hi,

Mine is a Ultra Hunter in .270cal. It shoots good, not heavy and accurate enough for hunting.

The only problem is that some reloads stick in the chamber. I don't have this problem if I shoot commercial ammo, just with reloads.

There are many sites with info on how to accurize the Handi, O ring, forearm bedding, polishing the chamber etc. The rifle seem to perform better if the reloads are not too hot, and is also often more accurate with mild loads.

If your looking at a one shot rifle, they are nice for the price but my next one I think will be a Baikal in 30-06 or .308 if availlable, they have metal ajustable sights, good reputation but the wood is a bit bulky so if you want to have something different and not too $$$ it's another option, same for the Stevens.

Good luck
 
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Paul T try using a small base die for your handi reloads. I use one for my 30-06 and it helps with the sticking in the chamber. This is one of the biggest issues with there rifles, and reason enough not to own one. Heck my 30-30 handi started sticking brass due to the smallest amount of corrosion in the chamber from 2 days of hunting. The crappy ectraction/ejection spring is way to weak to pull the brass out every time.

If you want to use a handi you had better bring a cleaning rod to poke out the stuck brass just in case.
 
Hmmm, I've never had brass stick in my 45-70. Then again, I don't go too crazy with the 'fun' loads, 'only' about 2000fps with cast 405's :D Lotsa power, but only in the 40,000-45,000 psi range, not like the 65k 308 & family operating pressures
 
I have one with a short barrel in 30-06. I bought it "used" from the gunshop at Wholesale Sports in Saskatoon. I don't know for sure, but likely someone bought it, fired one or two shots, then brought it back. I put an El Cheapo scope on it and take it out when I need to treat my soul to some good, honest recoil and noise. Seriously, I love the little thing, except that it has no iron sights. Therefore, it is not a rifle I would take out too far from home in case the scope went "south". I also use lead "reduced" loads in it. Great for plinking and soothing the desire to fire guns.....
 
Republic of Alberta said:
Paul T try using a small base die for your handi reloads. I use one for my 30-06 and it helps with the sticking in the chamber. This is one of the biggest issues with there rifles, and reason enough not to own one. Heck my 30-30 handi started sticking brass due to the smallest amount of corrosion in the chamber from 2 days of hunting. The crappy ectraction/ejection spring is way to weak to pull the brass out every time.

If you want to use a handi you had better bring a cleaning rod to poke out the stuck brass just in case.
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lol your right, they have a reputation for sticking cases, I will fix that spring before I bring her out again. The cleaning rod at the range, it's not too bad but while hunting, you don't want to carry that rod with you, imagine not been able to have that second shot because of a stucked case :eek: .

I found a site where they explain (at your own risk) how to make a notch on the edge of the chamber to be able to use like a small flat screwdriver instead and it's way quicker and easy to use and bring. A winter project for me :cool: .
 
Ive had two. The first one had a laminate stock and a bull barrel in 223. It was a nice gun, I liked it lots but the action became loose after awhile and kept opening when I fired it. I got another stainless sythetic in 223 a few years later. About 1 out of 3 cases stuck in the chamber, both factory and reloads, regarless of the type. Some people say if you dont lube them very much it helps but I could not get mine to work. The trigger was good on both of them and they were both decently accurate.
 
I have seen way too many problems with the NEF rifles to have any faith in them as a hunting firearm. Bad triggers, broken ejectors, rusty chambers, the new models are only slightly better.
Sorry fellas but you only get what you pay for... sometimes less.
 
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