I have an H&R .45-70 Buffalo Classic and a .45 Colt Buffalo classic. What were you looking to do with it? There's a variety of H&R subvariants and calibers, so they can be used for a wide range of game/defense uses.
+1 to the H&R Handi-Rifle. I have been very pleased with mine. Most people that I know that use one are very happy with the accuracy (and a lot of people use them here because they are legal for primitive weapons season).
Another vote for H&R, my .308 is the cheapest centerfire I own and literally the most accurate gun in the house. Guns costing 6 times what my H&R cost may come close but do not match or exceed the .308.
I really like the idea of the Wizard, although, the first few I've touched in gun shops had a few issues from the factory like stock, sights, lock-up, etc. I decided I'm holding off until they have worked the bugs out some, but having an "Encore" like rifle with interchangeable barrels which cost 1/2 to 1/3 as much is a big plus.
Not exactly "cheap", but the CVA Apex is getting rave reviews, from consumers and gunsmiths, alike. The NRA even gave it some award this year. It's basically the first product on the market that competes, head-to-head, with the Encore. It can be fitted with ML, center-fire and rimfire barrels, in ~15 different factory configurations. With a good gunsmith, the sky is the limit, just like with the Encore.
I've heard good things on the Apex, but It doesn't fall into what I'd categorize as cheap, but maybe it is for others. Probably should just shut up now, because cheap to me is lower than most.
This year CVA has the Scout; similar to the APEX but Centerfire-only. At least on paper and in pictures, it looks much more appealing to me than the NEF or Rossi. It should be priced right around where the Handi-rifle is. I've been looking for them in gun stores, but haven't found one yet.
As Bandit would say, though, you can get a Marlin XS7 for just over $300 and just load it with one shell. I'm having my grandkids load one shell only in their bolt guns for the first year they hunt.
I would only consider the Apex (or Encore) "cheap" if the long-term plan was to use that platform with several barrels to build most of a new shooter's arsenal. Even at that, used guns are much more cost effective and typically work very well.
I'll take my Ruger's... the aftertaste of poor performance lasts much longer than the feeling of saving a dollar. I did have a H&R Topper in .410 that was pretty fun to shoot though, not enough squirrels around here to make it worth keeping.
I have both and there is no doubt that the Ruger is a much nicer looking rifle but I cannot say that it will out shoot any of my several NEFs. Both the Ruger and all the Handi rifles are excellent shots.
If you can still find a Mossberg SSi out there, they are a decently priced and made SS rifle. There's an option of switching barrel as well. I owned one in 30/06 which was actually quite accurate. They are, of course, no longer produced, but you might be able to find a good deal on a used one. If I remember correctly, I only paid $279 for mine, NIB.
I saw one used at Cabelas today in .30-06 with a Leupold VXII 3-9x40 on top. Price tag said $299. I looked long and hard, but ended up passing. I have my heart set on an AR as my next addition.
The H&R handi-rifle is a simple, time-tested action that is made well and typically delivers what used to be considered excellent accuracy. Unless you get a lemon, the gun itself will be capable of 2" groups at 100 yards, and might even shoot groups half that size. It's not typically a sub-MOA gun, from the factory, but it's also 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the guns which guarantee minute-of-angle, so you're getting what you paid for...a very good value, in a single-shot gun.
I've looked at them, but I just personally don't really go for synthetics and I honestly see no difference in the scout and Handi, except the handi has a few more and different calibers; although this list is slowly dwindling. I like wood on my guns, albeit I did settle for synthetic on my Traditions Buckstalker. I've been itching to pick up some wood blanks and make my own for it. I have looked at the Rossi line-up a good bit, especially the new Wizard, but every one I've gotten my hands on has loose stocks and some other issues also quality wise.
I also prefer big bores and actually have to use them. I currently load for my .45-70 Gov, .45 Long Colt and .45 ACP. The lands I hunt on are not really good for a High power chambering and the owner won't allow smaller fast moving rounds due to the location of some of the close bordering neighbors. I do have a 7.5x55 Schmidt Rubin which is very accurate, but can only shoot that at the range. It's cool though, because it's his land. His land is also only 4 miles north of the border for shotgun required hunting, thus we try not to tilt the ballance into having the powers that be move the line further north.
I bought all 10 of the firearms I purchased this year for under 1500 bucks though by watching for sales and deals and all were new purchases. I guess I'm just a cheapskate that likes wood, or champagne on a beer budget, lol.
On single shot rifles, my choice is the NEF Handi-Rifle. I initially bought the .223 in a heavy barrel, topped it off with a 4-12 Simmons WT hunter, and was completely satisified. So much so, I bought additional barrels in 7mm.08 and .243 Winchester. These two barrels are equally accurate. But, I hand load a moderate load at around .75% case capacity.
How accurate, with a variable scope I can consistently shoot groups under 1/2" off a rest at 100 yards.
I hate to say this but it is as accurate as my Remington 700's and Ruger #1.
I don't consider them cheap, just inexpensive. Good luck on your search.
I have an H&R .223 that will do just over an inch at a hundred, and a .45-70 that will do 3"...both of which are satisfactory for me and better than my last Ruger 25-06.
The 45-70 will shoot 1/2 in at 50 yards, which makes it a good hog gun. Depends on what you are after, I guess.
Well experiences do vary. I've owned 8 or 10 handi rifles over the years and none of them were accurate. I'm not really very demanding in that regard, for a hunting rifle I'm satisfied with 2 moa as good enough. None of the handi's I've had would do that. I presently own two, a .243 superlite which I got for the wife. I've tried a bushel of handloads and 2 1/2" seems about the best it will do. I also have an old H&R Shakari 45/70 which goes about 4" at 100. My last experience with handi's was the Buffalo Classic carbine in .45 Colt. I and a buddy each got one thinking it would make a great truck gun. We both tried numerous handloads and neither of us ever got better than 2 1/2-3" groups at 50 yards. I could almost match that with my Ruger Blackhawk revolver. The cheap price is attractive, that's why I've owned so many of them, but I have made myself a vow that I will never buy another.
I know this flies in the face of so many who report excellent accuracy from their handi's but I can only report my own experience. I feel they are pretty much what they look like, a cheap beater gun for deer at 100 yards or less.
Wow, you're the first person I've ever heard offer this kind of report on the handi-rifle. There are guys who buy ONE and it's not a shooter, but 8 or 10? I am really surprised! I have 2 actions and 4 barrels. The 50 cal ML shoots 2.5" groups at 100 yards, but the 243 and 358GNR (wildcat) shoot 1.5" groups on a regular basis. The 243 has shot a couple of groups under an inch and is capable of better groups than I am, at this point. (The fourth barrel has bad headspace issues, but that's another story.)
If you ever get a chance, have a conversation with David White, of D&T gunsmithing. He creates true masterpieces on the H&R frame that will shoot with the best bolt guns.
Depending on how you define Inexpensive, and what your intended use will be, an original cut-down springfield trapdoor rifle is a great option. Very high quality, if you get one with a good bore you can have a little trigger work done, dress up the stock, upgrade the sights and you are in business. cut down trapdoors are not rare, and make a great hunting rifle or BPCR. The only drawbacks are limited options if you want to mount a scope and set triggers can be tricky to install, but it can be done. Joe S
Hmm, sorry about your luck on the Handi's Coyote. My .45-70 BC will put 3 in a group between .75" and 1.25" with the factory iron sights. You do have to let them cool in between shots as many tend to be temperature sensitive. Another common issue is forearm pressure which amplifies this temperature sensitivity. My little .45 Colt BC is capable of 2" groups all day at 100 yards and is less temperature sensitive due to the thickness and shortness of the barrel. I off hand shot a 10" gong every shot today at over 100 yards, which is my test to see if it's deer worthy and my Blackhawk was tested on the same gong to 75 yards again. IF you still own any of your Handi-Rifles, I'd take a trip over to the Graybeard Outdoors forum and check out the FAQ's on fixes which can make them even better shooters. Mine are out of the box accurate and will be better once I tune them. Worst case scenerio, if you still have them and don't want them, there is quite a market there for them. Peace.
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