Boo-Radley
Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2011
- Messages
- 55
It seems like the H&R Handi Rife is steadily gaining popularity. I'm not sure about numbers sold, but I see them everywhere.
Some people seem to think the Handi Rifle is relatively new to the market place. It is not. Only the name is new. Back before Harrington & Richardson closed their factory, and reorganized, they marketed the Handi Rifle under the name Harrington & Richardson Topper Model 158.
The older Topper Model was only available chambered for 30-30 Winchester, and you could choose a 20 gauge or .410 shotgun barrel if you wanted one.
I literally watched the disintigration of the quality of this rifle. We purchased our first one around 1970, and it was a beautiful rifle. It was also a tack driver that would perform well with just about any load we tried. We ended up pushing a Speer 150 grain JFP with 35.5 grains of IMR 4895 at around 2300 fps MV. No black tail or mule deer ever required a 2nd shot, and I took the head off more than one grouse.
We purchased the 2nd rifle around 1973. If you tried a 170 grain bullet you may as well be throwing rocks. We had to back the 150 grain bullet down a full grain or the cartridge cases would not eject. The tolerences on the chamber were to sloppy, and that allowed the case to swell and stick. The finish on the stock was clearly inferior as well as the wood work.
We purchased a 3rd rifle a few years later, because hey, at around $89.00 they were still a great buy. This 3rd rifle had a straight stock instead of a pistol grip, and the machine tolorances weren't any better than the 1973 rifle. In addition, after a relatively low number of hours in a scabbard on a motorcycle the finish on both metal and wood started showing signs of wear.
At present, I am still a fan of the Handi Rifle. I am seriously considering buying one chamber for .243 Winchester or .308 Winchester. Those seem like the optimum cartridges for that rifle. However, having seen the decline in the 1970's I would like to hear from folks who currently own, and hunt with, an H&R Handi Rifle.
Some people seem to think the Handi Rifle is relatively new to the market place. It is not. Only the name is new. Back before Harrington & Richardson closed their factory, and reorganized, they marketed the Handi Rifle under the name Harrington & Richardson Topper Model 158.
The older Topper Model was only available chambered for 30-30 Winchester, and you could choose a 20 gauge or .410 shotgun barrel if you wanted one.
I literally watched the disintigration of the quality of this rifle. We purchased our first one around 1970, and it was a beautiful rifle. It was also a tack driver that would perform well with just about any load we tried. We ended up pushing a Speer 150 grain JFP with 35.5 grains of IMR 4895 at around 2300 fps MV. No black tail or mule deer ever required a 2nd shot, and I took the head off more than one grouse.
We purchased the 2nd rifle around 1973. If you tried a 170 grain bullet you may as well be throwing rocks. We had to back the 150 grain bullet down a full grain or the cartridge cases would not eject. The tolerences on the chamber were to sloppy, and that allowed the case to swell and stick. The finish on the stock was clearly inferior as well as the wood work.
We purchased a 3rd rifle a few years later, because hey, at around $89.00 they were still a great buy. This 3rd rifle had a straight stock instead of a pistol grip, and the machine tolorances weren't any better than the 1973 rifle. In addition, after a relatively low number of hours in a scabbard on a motorcycle the finish on both metal and wood started showing signs of wear.
At present, I am still a fan of the Handi Rifle. I am seriously considering buying one chamber for .243 Winchester or .308 Winchester. Those seem like the optimum cartridges for that rifle. However, having seen the decline in the 1970's I would like to hear from folks who currently own, and hunt with, an H&R Handi Rifle.