Sooo,  I've made up my mind to get a handi rifle in 357mag , so I can thread the barrel for my silencer, and maybe have a movie-quiet rifle.  I've gotta keep it subsonic, so I'll use some 200gr bullets and load them light.

Anyway, where's a good place in Salem or Portland to find one?  Who carries a bunch of these?

I understand that unless I find a used one, they probably will not have that caliber.  H&R doesn't make 357 rifles anymore, but they will add a 357 barrel to your existing rifle for $85!?

I figure I'll have to buy another caliber and then get a new barrel in 357mag from the factory.  Sooo, which other caliber should I get?  I've already got an AR in 223 and 9mm, an custom 10/22, and a 12ga shotgun.  I've been thinking 308 Winchester.  I'm not a hunter, but that caliber could be used in case I had to hunt.  Or maybe a 500 S&W.  I wonder if that is good for anything...

Comments?

Advice?

Discussion?

Not sure what a handi rifle is, but curious about this.

On the note of a quiet rifle. One of the most quiet things I have ever heard is one of those suppressed Ruger 77/44 bolt action 44mags from Doug Melton or SRT in Arizona (Tom Denall (sp) here in Oregon also builds em) shooting a 300gr bullet.

Here's a Handi-Rifle.  It's a single shot break open action (like a shotgun).  They are extremely simple and cheap to manufacture, and cost somewhere between $200 and $300, and are available in a bunch of calibers and stocks.  Think of it as a poor man's T/C Encore rifle.  Plus, it is as quiet as a bolt action, just not repeating.

Ain't gonna be movie quiet unless you serously download the cartridge.  .357 mag is supersonic even out of short barrels.  Out of a rifle it will probably go faster...

Quoted: Sooo,  I've made up my mind to get a handi rifle in 357mag , so I can thread the barrel for my silencer, and maybe have a movie-quiet rifle.  I've gotta keep it subsonic, so I'll use some 200gr bullets and load them light. Anyway, where's a good place in Salem or Portland to find one?  Who carries a bunch of these? I understand that unless I find a used one, they probably will not have that caliber.  H&R doesn't make 357 rifles anymore, but they will add a 357 barrel to your existing rifle for $85!? I figure I'll have to buy another caliber and then get a new barrel in 357mag from the factory.  Sooo, which other caliber should I get?  I've already got an AR in 223 and 9mm, an custom 10/22, and a 12ga shotgun.  I've been thinking 308 Winchester.  I'm not a hunter, but that caliber could be used in case I had to hunt.  Or maybe a 500 S&W.  I wonder if that is good for anything... Comments? Advice? Discussion?

Quiet? a .357?  Maybe if you load up some wimpy .38spl loads it might get a little quieter.  I really can't see subsonic 357 Magnum loads being much quieter without going to a silencer.
If you want "quieter" from a Handi-Rifle/NEF product you should be looking at a 22 Hornet or a 17 Mach 2.

I have a Buffalo Classic in 45/70.  I like it a lot.  Really big holes.  Kicks alot.  You can load it down to 1200 fps with lead bullets and Trail Boss powder or you can get hot and push 350gr JFP bullets to 2300fps.  I have also pushed 405 gr JFP bullets to 2200fps.  Very versitile gun and round.



My other Handi is a NEF Sportster in 17HMR.  Super accurate.  Lots of fun.



SW in Salem carries a few Handi-Rifles.    

ZM

Yes, I do already have a silencer.  I have it on my AR 9mm Oly upper.  It is very quiet, but the action is very loud, slamming back and forth.  I thought a subsonic shot from a handi-rifle through the silencer would be much quieter (no moving action).

Also, the heaviest easily obtainable 9mm Luger load is with a 147gr bullet.  I've found 357 magnum bullets of 200gr.  Even if I do load them subsonic, they'll have more energy than the 147gr at the same velocity.

Another alternative is a TC/Encore, or a custom made bolt gun in 38/357/9mm caliber, but I thought the Handi-Rifle might be the cheapest.

If you already have a Handi you can get the 357 barrel through the barrel accessory program.

ZM

Quoted: If you already have a Handi you can get the 357 barrel through the barrel accessory program. ZM

How much are these barrels?

Never mind. I see the $ on their web site.