Anyone have an NEF Handi-Rifle in 223?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone have an NEF Handi-Rifle in 223?

Posted: 4/20/2015 4:18:10 PM EDT

I've been shopping for a bolt action 223 with a heavy barrel for a while, for the purpose of target shooting. While I was looking around the other day, I realized that I'd have no problem with a single shot either.

Basically I want something with a heavy barrel that I might bust the occasional varmint with, but otherwise my main goal is to shoot tiny groups in paper targets. I was wondering if anyone who has had a Handi Rifle can comment on its accuracy.

Posted: 4/20/2015 4:27:27 PM EDT

[#1]

My friend has one.

It's a little laser beam, that uses .223 bullets as the beam.

Seems to like ammo 55 gr or lighter, with a preference to 40 gr, though. Not sure what the twist is, other than slower than the tacticool 1:7, or even the 1:9 civilian "compromise" rate.

Posted: 4/20/2015 4:29:01 PM EDT

[#2]

I have an H&R Handi Rifle in .357 magnum. It's accurate and reliable. I haven't had any issues in the 300 or so rounds that I have fired.

I'm not sure exactaly how accurate it is, beacuse my rifle has a red dot sight.

Don't knock it until you try it. It's a fun gun. It's great for shooting close rage at my buddy's river lot. I know that I can hit aluminum cans at about 75 yards. I managed to hit a medium sized tree stump at close to 300 yards. I had to aim a few feet high, and it took a few "zeroing" rounds.

Make sure you take the barrel off of it and clean all of the crud out of there before you shoot it. I found metal shavings and dried up coolant residue in my reciever. Many of the parts wern't oiled, and the barrel was packed with a thick sticky oil. It's a cheap gun, what do you expect?

All and all, it's a great gun for general purpose shooting. I don't expect it to hold up for a huge round count, but it is cheap and easy to replace. I want to get mine fitted for a 28 or 20 gauge shotgun barrel.

Posted: 4/20/2015 4:30:12 PM EDT

[#3]

Got a bull barrel version in .243...Laaaaazer beam...

Posted: 4/20/2015 4:33:16 PM EDT

[#4]

I've read many good things. But despite trying many bullet/powder combinations, I never found a load that grouped better than 1 1/2". This was after getting a trigger job. I like the gun. I've shot several animals with it. But it's not a benchrest gun.

Posted: 4/20/2015 4:33:45 PM EDT

[#5]

Got a bull barreled ,223 and it SHOOTS, esp after the O ring trick (check out greybeard's Outdoors Handi page)

Posted: 4/20/2015 4:35:47 PM EDT

[#6]

Had one with a bull barrel. Very accurate and handy.

Posted: 4/20/2015 5:49:26 PM EDT

[#7]

I have a Buffalo hunter, 32" barrel and globe sights....first shot off hand was 100 yds off-hand... center of a soda can..

Posted: 4/20/2015 5:51:30 PM EDT

[#8]

I have one in 300 BLK and its a great little gun.

The trigger was a little rough until I smoothed it up by dry firing with powdered graphite in the action.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:25:49 PM EDT

[#9]

Not a Handi-Rifle but my 14" Contender works well enough. I'd imagine the barrels are similar.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:28:57 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Got a bull barrel version in .243...Laaaaazer beam...

View Quote

I have one with the bull barrel too. It's not everything I hoped it would be.

I have an older one in 22 Hornet that I love. I think it's the perfect combination of size and power, perfect urban rifle for critters when you need more than a 22 LR.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:29:16 PM EDT

[#11]

I have a 12 gauge single shot made by them that I just love best 100$ gun I've bought

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:30:53 PM EDT

[#12]

Get one now, they're going out of business.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:31:39 PM EDT

[#13]

Yes. I have the "survivor" version.

The trigger is gritty, but it is very accurate. Love it. I used it to blow up a Volvo once. True story!

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:33:32 PM EDT

[#14]

I had one, it shot okay after a trigger job (pain in the ass).

I would pay $150 for one right now, but no more than that. They are heavy, hard to reload while on the bench or prone, and really not that great compared to some budget bolt actions. I think they are going for over $300 new also.

I would much rather have a lighter bolt rifle with an internal mag than another handi.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:35:22 PM EDT

[#15]

Yes. 24" bull barrel varmit version. The twist is 1:12. Mine likes 40gr bullets at high velocities. Laser beam is an acccurate description. It has disassembled many a varmit.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:36:09 PM EDT

[#16]

I've had a couple. Love those little guns

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:40:13 PM EDT

[#17]

I had one with a bull barrel in .223 and 1-12 twist for light bullets.

It was not a great shooter, 2" at 100yds with ammo it liked from a bench. Heavy trigger pull from factory.

I traded it for a Rem 870 and never looked back.

I do have a .308 Survival Handi and It is a much better rifle after a trigger job.

Like has been mentioned they are discontinuing the NEF line so no more barrel program for the rifles.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:52:15 PM EDT

[#18]

I have two now, 300 Blk and .243 Both are good shooters. I had one in .357 that was a shooter too. I sold it to a fellow employee who wanted it for his son to shoot.
Triggers aren't precision worth a damn, but they shoot as well as I do.

Posted: 4/20/2015 6:55:21 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Had one with a bull barrel. Very accurate and handy.

View Quote

This. I sold it to a friend and the jerk won't sell it back.

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:02:53 PM EDT

[#20]

What's the average price on these rifles?

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:03:19 PM EDT

[#21]

Cool ....want a 308 Handi..

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:07:12 PM EDT

[#22]

Are these single shot?

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:07:19 PM EDT

[#23]

I had one before I got into ARs. Like others have said they are great with light bullets. I remember paying about $175 or so new and just checked at Buds and they want $300+

I wouldn't mind getting one in .30-30, but seems like those are impossible to find anymore.

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:16:14 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
What's the average price on these rifles?

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More than they are worth.

Last time I was seeing them it was over $300, I think I remember seeing a few in smaller shops pushing $400 used.

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:20:14 PM EDT

[#25]

I have a 2002 era one. That thing is accurate and fun. I have had significant cash offers which I turned down. Not certain how they are since the Remington acquisition.

Eta - just saw that they are being discontinued. I will be hanging on to mine.

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Posted: 4/20/2015 7:27:16 PM EDT

[#26]

I have 3 of them. They were purchased for my children to teach them to aim before shooting, and have served well for that purpose. Two are 1 in 12 twist, and one is a 1 in 9 (or 8, I can not remember) twist. The 1 in 12 twist are near useless with anything over a 55 grain bullet, and they do better with lighter bullets. The 1 in 9 twist shoots my basic load of a 64 grain Winchester power point over 25 gr of varget just fine.

In general I would recommend them knowing their limitations, but I would not purchase a new one as I believe there are better firearms for not too much more money. The three listed above were purchased used for about $150.00 each several years ago.

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:27:52 PM EDT

[#27]

I had a heavy barrel .223 1in 12" twist. It loved fiocchi 40gr vmax. I have no idea why I sold it. It was amazingly accurate for a $150 rifle. I wish I would have kept it.

Posted: 4/20/2015 7:42:30 PM EDT

[#28]

They are fun little rifles. Some will shoot well. Some wont shoot well until you work on them. I have 3: .44mag, .223, and just got a 300BLK. I had a fourth, but gave that to my daughter. It was a .357 Max. GreyBeard Outdoors is THE place to go for all things handi.

BTW, Grabagun had the 300BLK for $219!

Posted: 4/20/2015 9:23:16 PM EDT

[#29]

I have a Survivor in .223, cut down to 18", and threaded. With a factory trigger job it's not a match rifle, but will do well enough with good ammo. H&R says a maximum of 55 grain bullets. I've used some of the 45 grain varmit bullets and it's fun to shoot. To bad they are being phased out.

Posted: 4/20/2015 9:36:18 PM EDT

[#30]

I have the H&R .223 varmint with 24" bull barrel 1:12 twist, it likes winchester 40 grain varmit bullets and 50 grain v-max. I sent it in to H&R and for $130 had a .308 22" bull barrel fitted to it and have killed several deer with it. It's been a really good rifle for me.

When my boys are old enough to deer hunt they will start with this handi little rifle.

Posted: 4/20/2015 10:33:55 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
I had one before I got into ARs. Like others have said they are great with light bullets. I remember paying about $175 or so new and just checked at Buds and they want $300+

I wouldn't mind getting one in .30-30, but seems like those are impossible to find anymore.

View Quote

Didn't realize they were 300+. At that price point, I'm probably better off stepping up to a Savage Hog Hunter or Model 11.

Posted: 4/20/2015 10:50:12 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
Get one now, they're going out of business.

View Quote

FIFY. Remington closed their door in regards to production and the barrel exchange program. They are just a front for importing the "H&R" chicom shotguns.

And for the OP, my .223. It has a 1:12 twist and is ammo picky but for <55 grains, it's a laser

(old pic of when it was first finished)

22" folded

I'm currently working on fixing the folder for a straightish back angle, it's just taking A LOT of fitting

I also have a 7.62x39 and it is increadibly accurate even with cheap steel cased crap

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone have an NEF Handi-Rifle in 223?

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