Handi-rifle

J

John Fultz

Inactive
I'm thinking about getting an NEF handi-rifle in either 243 or 270. I do most of my hunting in deep woods with my Marlin 336 30-30. I want something with a little better range and knock down possibly doing a little Arkansas Elk hunting. Does anyone have any experience with the handi-rifle if so what are the advatantages/drawbacks and what of the 243 with elk, is that too light?
 
Both the .243 and .270 are generally considered too light for elk. But with proper shot placement most calibers will work---Problem is-How many times do you get a chance at a perfect shot in the real world?
 
I've seen them in 30-06. that would be enough. I do know a guy who killed a 6*6 with a 280, but he is an excelent shot under hunting conditions. I have an Ultra-Rifle, it is About the same, but make by H&R. it's a heavy barreled .223. They are nice rifles, but the draw back is, obviously the single shot, and sometimes you need a 2nd on elk. If they don't fall with the first shot, many guides will tell you to shoot again. Sometimes they need a little bit of tuning to be super accurate, I had to free float mine.
 
The place I would hunt elk and deer is mostly wooded areas. The longest shots I would get woud be in the 200-250 yard range and that would be few and far between. How fast can the handi-rifle be reloded? I'm pretty fast with my springfield SS 12 guage.
 
the key to hunting any animal with a single-shot is SHOT PLACEMENT. If you wack an elk with a single you should have time to eject the spent case and reload while watching where the animal went. practice at the range until you can reload without looking at the gun so as to keep the animal in sight. I can reload my singles as fast as most people can rack the bolt on a bolt gun. but I have been doing it for 30 plus years.
 
I love my NEF

I have one in 30-06 with a .223 barrel. I love it. I admit that on paper I am not very accurate with the 30-06, but with deer sized game, it hits. The .223 on paper shoots .7" all day.

The NEF's are inexpensive, thus allowing more dough for a good scope, ammo and practice time. Like RemChester's, they need some "tuneing" for the best accuracy. Click on my www link for info.

Disadvantages...they are inexpensive so fit and finish isn't awesome, but definately acceptable. I have read a few post's of people that HATED their NEF\H&R. Maybe they got a lemon.


The two technique's I use: I shoot right handed...

1:
When taking standing shots, after I fire the shot I open the action and rest the rifle in my left hand at the hinge. With the right hand I grab a new round out of the butt cuff and pop it in the chamber and close the action while bringing the rifle back to my shoulder. Never lose sight of your target (you already knew that)

2:
When shooting from a bag or stick's, I hold an extra 2 or 3 rounds between my fingers of my left hand. After the shot I leave the forearm resting in the stick's with my right hand controling the gun. Then take one of the rounds from my left hand and slide it in and close the action using the sticks as leverage.

A buddy of mine has an NEF and he took one of those but cuffs and cut it so there is only 3 slots. He then hot glued the "cuff" to the side of the frame so the slots are parrallel with the barrel. He stuffs 2 .223's in each slot. He also has a mouse squeaker glued to the forearm. It works for him.


NEF Single Shot Discussion Group
 
Between the 2 calibers listed, I'd go with the 270 for the heavier bullets available. Might be iffy with a deep penetration shot, but I've seen enough hunters with a good 270 do the job. Have also seen a few morons with 338 Win mags wound one because they thought the caliber's capabilities would outshine their inadequacies.
 
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