H&R Handy Rifle

[Axis II]

I would take a CVA over an H&R any day. I own both. Incase you didn't know H&R is no longer in business. When Dicks sporting goods clearance the handi rifles I purchased one and it had chatter marks on the rifling. I returned it and out of 5 guns only one didn't have chatter marks. I don't know if its the gun or my loads but it will shoot say 1'' groups at 100yards and come back 15min later and its shooting 4'' groups. The cva is built better, has customer service and IMO is a better gun. Only reason I haven't ditched the H&R is I paid $100 new and apparently that caliber and receiver is very sought after. I had guys offering $300-400 for it.

 

[clone]

I have a few. 223, 30-30, two in 45/70, 12ga, 20ga, 410. They are best for hand loaders, and shoot fine with loads they like. Would like to have one in 327 federal magnum but they have been shut down. Hoping Henry will make one though.

 

[ThomasT]

I had a Handi Rifle in .280 Rem and it was both of those, depending on the ammo. Love the caliber. Enjoyed shooting the rifle.
It was an MOA shooter with Winchester ballistic silvertips. With any other type of ammo, it looked like you shot the target with a shotgun.
I tried a dozen combinations of bullets and powders trying to replicate the accuracy of the Winchester bullets, to no avail.
You would reload a piece of brass once or twice and it would eject about a 3/4" piece of the case and leave the rest in the chamber. So I guess it had bad headspace problems.

I traded it, with a full disclosure of the issues. Glad to see it go.

I have heard good things about them chambered for straight walled cartridges.

I have read that some of the 35 Whelen Handi Rifles had bad chambers also. Supposedly the 243s were hit or miss (sorry, bad pun). I had forgoten about it but I did have a 357 with factory open sights and 16" barrel. I let my bud talk me out of it and he bough a cheap 3x12 scope from Academy and put on it. Intead of rifle with a scope it looks more like a scope wearing a rifle. But for fun at the range on the 30 yard line he likes shooting the tacks on the back board that hold the targets. So I guess you could say that rifle is a "Tack Driver". And no he won't sell it back to me.

If money wasn't a little tight since I took early retirement and disability I would get one of the Henry single shots in 357. I just wish they would offer extra barrels like NEF did.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

I have never owned a H&R handy rifle. I did buy one of the Henry single shots, in .308, a couple years ago. From looking at H&Rs and the Henry, the Henry is quite a step up in quality. I do own a TCR 87, in .270 Winchester. I don’t consider the Henry as well made as the TCR. The Henry would fall midway between the TCR and the H&R. It would be worth to check out the Henry before you buy a H&R. They may be priced just a wee bit more but what you will be getting in quality would be well worth the difference. The wood on mine, is very pretty. I think the same scope mounts and sights, that fit the H&R will also work on the Henry. I put a Williams receiver sight on mine. I use it to shoot heavier bullets, as a brush gun. It works great for that purpose, being light and short. You will get a lot of gun for the money.