Handi Rifles

canoe2 · #1 08-08-2018, 11:09 PM

Would like to hear some opinions on the H&R Handi Rifles from those that have used them. I'm considering one as a short/light bush/truck rifle, but I'm a bit unsure of the quality. Thoughts? Thanks!

Dick284 · #2 08-09-2018, 04:39 AM

Far from light.
Chamber may need polishing.

obsessed1 · #3 08-09-2018, 07:29 AM

Like dick said not light but they are short. My sb2 bull barrel has a 24" tube and measures 6.5" less than my Parker hale with 24" barrel. But the handi is not light by any means. Mine is a fabulous shooter though. If a 30/30 h&r came across my path I doubt I could resist it from coming home with me.

TBark · #4 08-09-2018, 07:52 AM

I have 2, a 35 Whelan and a 17 HMR.
Good for spares.

TBark

Pioneer2 · #5 08-09-2018, 09:02 AM

The S2 may be heavy but the older 158's were quite handy .Mine is in 30-30 and was used as a trainer with my kids to make the first shot count.Doubt it weighs 6 + lbs scoped.Straight 4X Banner.

Groundhogger · #6 08-09-2018, 09:39 AM

I've used the rimfires (22, 22WMR) and have been close to buying one a handful of times. They're heavy, over-built, a bit clunky...but simple and kind of fun. The reason I never bought was due to the heavy trigger pull, and a VERY small amount of Google research suggested that there was little you could do to remedy it. Should have nabbed a 22 when my LGS had them for about $149, but they're little temptation to me now.

Closest I have/use these days is a Cooey 84 in 20ga. Trigger pull on it is better than the HRs I've tried, and for a shotgun...not looking for anything light anyway.

heybert · #7 08-09-2018, 10:02 AM

Good utilitarian rifle. Decent accuracy. If you want a single shot, less than a TC and definitely less than a #1!

saddleup · #8 08-09-2018, 01:02 PM

I have the nef 158 topper model. comes with 2 barrels, 22 hornet, and 20 ga 3 inch mag. Not the most accurate rifle , but great truck gun. Its relatively light, tough built, and the 20 kicks like a mule. Have owned it for 45 years its its really a fun gun, but would love to have one in the 30-30 or 243 cals.

West O'5 · #9 08-09-2018, 11:31 PM

I had 2 at one time,.204 Ruger heavy barrel(tack driver) and a .25-06 laminated stock that I bought originally intended for my 12y old boy but he was a lil recoil shy so I bought him Ruger American .243 and sold both H&Rs....regrettably.
Wish I had kept the .204 now....they were both good shooters though/sub-MOA easy.

Hawkeye · #10 08-09-2018, 11:46 PM

I bought a heavy barrel Handi Rifle in .223 about 10+ years ago
Put on a cheap Tasco scope and it shoots really well!
My wife had never shot a firearm before. We got her started shoot a .22 LR and after a few shots, gave her the .223
She took a few shots at modest ranges and then we had her shoot at a clay pigeon at 300 yards. She hit it with the second or third short, as I recall.
Gee, that's embarrassing!
It is not particularly refined or a fine piece of craftsmanship, but it simply shoots!
I have heard of other people with Handi Rifles centre fires in larger bores, and with those, accuracy seems to be hit and miss, some are good and others are hopeless.
Good luck!

Stinky Coyote · #11 08-10-2018, 02:20 AM

Have also had a few, all were shooters. Older ejector models can maybe have issues with stuck casing after shot and see polish chamber comments. Extractor model better imo. And all were more accurate than the Thompson in 7-08 I put a fair bit of custom into.

Flieguy · #12 08-12-2018, 01:24 PM

The old H&R toppers and Handi Rifles are excellent quality and gorgeous single shots, I have a small collection. I love how robust, short, and truly "handi" they are, and they tend to shoot pretty well.

I had a new one (2014 manufacture or something like that) in 35 whelen and it was garbage, front heavy and terrible fit and finish.

Tpindy · #13 09-01-2018, 08:40 AM

They are a great little carry gun. Used my 243 for deer. Lightweight, reliable and surprisingly accurate given the price point.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Moo Snukkle · #14 09-01-2018, 08:59 AM

I acquired one with the help of a generous friend. It’s in .243 and I got it for my daughter to shoot. She has a very slight frame and the gun has enough heft to reduce any recoil to minimal. A bit of tinkering with the forestock and it was a smidge better than MOA with factory 90grain fodder. I’d have no problem using it myself for everything but moose. Now, if I could only find one in 357mag.....

fps plus · #15 09-01-2018, 03:37 PM

Other than the ease of loading and unloading any more “handi” than say a Winchester 94????

Pioneer2 · #16 09-01-2018, 05:43 PM

You can scope a Handi

fps plus · #17 09-01-2018, 06:40 PM

Yes you can. Can scope a 94 as well , not as cleanly though

Pioneer2 · #18 09-01-2018, 09:56 PM

After 64 isn't a real 94.So not scopeable without ruining collector value if you use a crude scout mount or D+T the side and go Williams or worse yet Weaver.My 158/30-30 will shoot under an inch with handloads and a 4x Banner used as a trainer on my kids to teach them the first shot is the only one that counts.Moose and a lot of deceased deer.

Flight01 · #19 09-01-2018, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by West O'5

I had 2 at one time,.204 Ruger heavy barrel(tack driver) and a .25-06 laminated stock that I bought originally intended for my 12y old boy but he was a lil recoil shy so I bought him Ruger American .243 and sold both H&Rs....regrettably.
Wish I had kept the .204 now....they were both good shooters though/sub-MOA easy.

That’s the 25-06 I bought. Hoping to put some roasts in the freezer this fall with that one. Taking my wife’s younger cousin out to the range. He will hopefully be as good a shot with the 25 as he is with the 223. If we are successful in November I will post pics and a story.

Quest206 · #20 09-01-2018, 10:46 PM

I've owned several and they are built tough. Good for a truck gun or on the quad. Not light as other members have mentioned. Terrible trigger but serve the purpose. For the price of a used H&R you could do better.

Grizzly Adams · #21 09-02-2018, 07:45 AM

Haven't seen any for sale for a while. Are they still available ?

Grizz

Sitting Bull · #22 09-02-2018, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Haven't seen any for sale for a while. Are they still available ?

Grizz

I have a 45-70 i could be persuaded to let go of. Actually I will getting rid of several rifles in order to go down to one rifle for all my needs.I'll be posting in the buy and sell tonight.

Hawkeye · #23 09-03-2018, 07:23 PM

They stopped selling new ones a few years ago.
There are two just posted on CGN, one in 30-30 and the other in 357 Mag.

aardvaark · #24 09-04-2018, 08:37 AM

I had one in 204R a few years ago and it was accurate, but the reason I got rid of it was that it would misfire, evry 4th or 5th round the firing pin would hit but it wouldn’t ignite. I looked at it a little more closely and the design of the firing pin was such that it would hit the primer at an angle; the firing pin laid in its place at an angle to the cartridge. Very strange.

1100winger · #25 09-05-2018, 08:25 AM

Bought prob 15 years ago, not light but much shorter than a bolt action. Very good accuracy out to 300 yards with lighter bullets. Coyotes seem to like it. If I had one wish - better trigger.

Jurrit · #26 09-05-2018, 08:48 AM

I have one in 45-70 and from what I've shot from it, it appears to be a decent shooter. Fun little rifle for sure, not light but my wife doesn't mind shooting it because it soaks up some recoil.

West O'5 · #27 09-06-2018, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flight01

That’s the 25-06 I bought. Hoping to put some roasts in the freezer this fall with that one. Taking my wife’s younger cousin out to the range. He will hopefully be as good a shot with the 25 as he is with the 223. If we are successful in November I will post pics and a story.

Ahhh yes,I remember now Flight01....that was a cpl/few(?) years ago,still haven’t drawn blood with it??
Anyhow,,,,cool,good luck with it!! 😎
Kinda wish I had kept both now.....the boy is 15 now and same height as me(5’11”) and shoots my 30-06 now no problem,I suspect at this rate he will be taller then me by Christmas,lol
I miss the .204 for coyotes,gonna buy another this winter,and my thoughts at the time with the .25-06 was a single shot would be a great trainer for a new young hunter both safety-wise and learning to make the first shot count.

Norwest Alta · #28 09-06-2018, 08:22 AM

I had a 25-06 handi rifle. It was far from light but it was a good shooter. Had firing pin issues and the hinge pin was a little sloppy

QBC · #29 09-06-2018, 08:12 PM

I have the Ultra-Hunter in 45/70 and it shoots very well. I've killed three of my last four Elk with it, longest shot was 227 yards. I love that heavy beast.

My better half has the Ultra Varmint in 243. Again, shoots great and no recoil so she likes that about it. She has taken two Elk and one Cow Moose with hers, all one shot kills with no tracking involved. A single shot is all you really need...

303carbine · #30 09-07-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canoe2

Would like to hear some opinions on the H&R Handi Rifles from those that have used them. I'm considering one as a short/light bush/truck rifle, but I'm a bit unsure of the quality. Thoughts? Thanks!

I like the Handi Rifles, I prefer the ones chambered for rimmed cartridges like the 30-30 and 45-70.
Some of the older Handi's were notorious for having a fired case stick in the chamber and not extract.