NEF Handi Rifle

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OttoJara

New member
Ive been thinking of getting a Handi Rifle, I like the iron sights and wood stock. That leaves me with 45-70 or 30-30. I think the 45-70 is a bada$$ round and would love to own one. The 30-30 will be more affordable to feed. I do own a 336 in 35Rem. So I have something like the 30-30 and expensive to feed like the 45-70. I'm not sure which one to get. I live in Florida, so huge game is not a factor.
 
Since it is want more than need, what do you want?

As a nod to the 45-70, it is a great old round and a lot of fun to shoot. Ammo isn't cheap but both Remington and Winchester make some cheaper basic hunting rounds. As a bonus, and you would have to check to see what the NEF can handle, but the 45-70 can be loaded really, really hot.
 
The 30-30 will be more affordable to feed.
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Ha!

I was just in Cabela's the other day, and saw the price on loaded .30/30 ammo :eek:

I can't imagine what .45/70 would run.....

Handloading is the only way to go.
 
I would go w/the 45/70 even if I didn't handload ( I do ). It's not like you are going to be plinking with the thing. You'll probably shoot, what, half a box a year? I would really look into handloading, you can do it for @300.00. It's fun, cheaper, and you can make better ammo than factory.
 
One of the cool things to do with them is to make sure you get one of the "high pressure" frames. I bought a .243 youth.

Then you can send it back to NEF and get extra barrels fitted for the "low pressure" rounds.

I did it and I got a .223 Heavy Barrel, a 45-70 barrel with open sights, .410, 20 ga and 12 ga barrels for them.

I just got a strap on cheek piece and removed it when I was using iron sights/shotgun barrels.

I only shot the 12 ga barrel once...:o
 
Great idea Crow Hunter. Thank you all for your advice. I think I'll go with the 45-70 first and get a 30-30 & 3006 barrels for it later. I just love the simplicity of these guns. I have a 12 ga and take that and leave my 870 Wingmaster and Browning A5 at home. I can't wait to shoot this bad boy.
 
I think I'll go with the 45-70 first and get a 30-30 & 3006 barrels for it later
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You need to check and make sure that the 45-70 is one of the "high pressure" frames.

I know the 30-06 is. (Be sure you want this, those guns are really light and a 30-06 has a lot of recoil energy. I felt my brain rattling around after firing the 12 ga with 7/8 oz target loads just one time.)

I know the .243 is. (What I got).

I was thinking that the 45-70 was one of the "low pressure" frames like the shotguns and will only be able to mount shotgun barrels.
 
Regarding the frames/receivers, I believe only shotguns, pistol caliber carbines (.357 & .44 mag), and rimfire rifles come with the weaker version. All guns chambered for centerfire rifle ammo come with the stronger frame.
 
I tried to call H&R but it was after 5pm. I read on their website that it looms like 45-70 is the S2 receiver. The shotgun is a S1. OK so, looks like its the 45-70, I'll order it tomorrow. :):D
 
As long as it's newer production (should be - the .45-70s sell like hot cakes), it will be built on the SB2 frame.

You'll be good to go, and can add any handgun, rifle, shotgun (except 10 ga), or muzzleloader barrel they offer in the "accessory" program. The only things that they won't fit to the standard SB2 frame, are rimfire barrels.
 
you can load it up to marlin levels

I called H&R years ago. They said it was ok.

I loaded mine that way for years. no problems and one heck of a 200 yard dear gun. Never had one take a step with it.



steve
 
Ballisticly, at 75 to 200 yards, is the 45-70 really any harder of a punch then the 3006? The drop at 100 - 200 yards is what, about 14 inches?
 
I know from the shooting shoulder end, the .45-70 405gr Remingtong Core-lokt Trapdoor safe rounds out of a NEF with iron sites were WAY less painful than a 165gr Core-lokt .30-06 rounds out of a Browning Abolt Stainless Stalker with a Leupold 2-7X33 scope mounted.

I could shoot the 45-70 all day and keep a smile on my face. (Well until I looked at the price on the rounds. And this was in 2005:eek:)

After about 5 rounds out of the Abolt on the bench, I needed to swap rifles and take a break.:o

I never tried any of the faster 300gr rounds though.
 
I know from the shooting shoulder end, the .45-70 405gr Remingtong Core-lokt Trapdoor safe rounds out of a NEF with iron sites were WAY less painful than a 165gr Core-lokt .30-06 rounds out of a Browning Abolt Stainless Stalker with a Leupold 2-7X33 scope mounted.
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That's a "pop gun" load, compared to modern .45-70 loads. ;)
 
I got an NEF handi rifle 45/70 used for $100 in the 1990s and I have had a lot of fun with it.

I learned how to calculate firearm strength from analyzing it.

I learned how to make filled cartridges with it to kill raccoons with body shots and sound like a BB gun.

I learned how much recoil I can take with it, trapdoor loads. It combines the "push me back several feet" type of recoil with the "stabbing pain" type of recoil, with the "punch me in the face so hard I forget who I am" type of recoil.
 
You want an SB2 frame. The SB1 is shotgun frame. You can go from rifle to shotgun but you can't go from shotgun to rifle barrel.
From the H&R web site:
"Rifle barrels may be added to firearms manufactured since 2000 and only to frames (SB-2) that originated as a rifle, if frame passes inspection.
Rifle frames (SB-2) newer than 2000 may be fitted with additional rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader barrels, if frame passes inspection.
All shotgun frames (SB-1) 1987 and newer and rifle frames (SB-2) produced between 1987 and 1999 or 1999 and newer may be fitted with additional shotgun and muzzleloader barrels only, if frame passes inspection."
 
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