Handi-Rifle (pistol calibers)

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Ksmirk

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Fella's what kind of groups should I expect from one of the handi-rifles in one of the pistol calibers (357,44 Mag) and just being me and never satified with off the shelf I wonder if one of the 357 handi-rifles could be rechambered to 357 Max? you thoughts would be great but real world experience would be a huge help! Later,

Kirk
 

brennan

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I do not know about the pistol calibers but the rifle calibers usually get around 3/4" at 100 yards. And I don't see why it could not be chambered to 357 max.
 

Ksmirk

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I'd rather not dump the money into a rifle that will be thrown into the truck and rattled around plus I really don't like the contenders, I'll stick with my bolt guns I build but just looking for something that shot good and didn't break the bank to purchase, for the cost of the contender I could get the handi and a decent scope and still be able to purchase a box of rounds for it, just want to get the most bang for he buck :) Later,

Kirk
 

GUN DOG

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Yep rent a reamer for a 357 max take out the extractor & ream until the rim cutter on the extractor touches the chamber & yer done. Did a 44 mag to 445 balistics just shy of a 444 marlin. My 357 handi will take .360 brass & is stock not reamed shoots good I have a peep & fire sight on it fun little gun. Some have done their 45 colt to 454 & 460's.
 

RustyW

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I've had a few of the Handi Rifles. None in pistol calibers though. I've had .223 bull bbl, .243 std bbl, .270, and 45/70. All have shot 1-1/2" groups or better. I handload so I've not shot any factory ammo through them. I could get the .223 to shoot 1/2" at 100yds and the 45/70 to clover leaf 330gr cast LFP at 100yds. If you shoot from a bench, and use a rest, put the rest behind the forearm just ahead of the trigger guard.
 

Ksmirk

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45 colt to 460! you evil evil man you! now why did you go off and say such a thing? now my little brain cell is just jumping with excitment but with what I have planned for this little rifle I beleive the 357 Max would be more than I would really need but then I didn't know they made the handi in 45 colt. I'm just looking for a pardon the term cheap brush gun for some of these little deer around home, I've got my long range stuff for when I go out West but a 284 Win with 26" barrel shooting 162gr. A-Max at these little deer up close would not be a pretty sight.

GUN DOG I might have to bug you a little more if you wouldn't mind, especially about the 45 to 460 :-) Later,

Kirk
 

GUN DOG

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Kirk,

Before you go & ream anything I would make sure you have a high pressure frame. They have an SB1 shotgun & SB2 high pressure 270 etc. es

Some 357's were put on SB1's the new one I think are not too sure. Give H&R a call with your serial # & they will tell you if it is a high pressure frame or not. Use to have quite a few handies but have let some go over the last couple of years. Still like the pistol cal's 357 & 45 colt do not have a 44 went 45 route. 30-30 in a handi can be very rewarding you can use pointy boolits in them. Nos BT work great because the do not get pushed as hasrd in a 30-30. This is the rifle my son shot his 1st deer with using a 125 gr & h4895 shot a 131 yrds so it will always be in the safe.

If you have a high presure frame you can send the frame in & have any rifle, pistol or shotgun barrel adde except 10ga & 12 ultra hunter (on 10ga frame) I think

http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp

looks like the 45 colt barrel is no longer availible?? wasn't out for long
 

Ksmirk

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I see they offer a 500SW barrel and for $90 that's cheaper than I can get a blank for my bolt rifle builds! Since you seem to know a little about these do you know if anyone can work the trigger down to an acceptable working range? I know the ones I have shot the triggers are not all that great. Thanks for the info on the receivers I didn't know they had 2 different pressure frames thanks that's good to know! Later,

Kirk
 

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