First day with my H&R ultra varmint, disappointing

The only NEF I have ever seen that was worth owning IMHO, is the Classic Buffalo special in a 32" barreled 45-70 gov. with factory peep sites. But its not like we were expecting it to shoot Varmints... It shot better then 1" two shot groups off bags at 50 yards little over 1" two shot groups at 100 yards, with a factory loaded ammo. But a Buffalo is a BIG target. I had a NEF .223 with a 6-24x50 scope that I was gonna use to shoot PD's and it took me probably 100 rounds three bullets and 4 differnt powders to finally get it to even shoot in the neighborhood of an inch...

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/buffalo.asp
 
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There are good ones and bad ones, there seems to be a lack of quality control as mentioned earlier. I, my father, and my brother have the 20 gauge pardner with rifled barrel. Two of them can clover leaf at one hundred yards off a rest (not all day though, darn things really start thumping on you), and the third is not far behind. My brothers 357 handi will shoot 2.5 inch groups at 100 off rests. The list of decent shooters goes on. The 45-70 my dad had ran 5-8 inch groups at first. A call to h&r and a barrel swap later and it runs 1.5 to 2.5 with the right round in the chamber depending on how I was shooting.

My 7-08 however, wouldn't even stay on a target at 100 yards. about 150 rounds later and ten different factory ammos, along with some tinkering didn't fix anything. And I didn't have the receipt for that one so I'm stuck. But, i got it for cheap and 100 bucks will get me a new barrel fitted to it that is under warranty. So I imagine once it ships out and comes back with its new 223 barrel clad in iron sights, I'll probably be content all over again.

It is worth noting not that long ago they were actually cheap guns, and with the warranty were actually worth buying for a budget gun. Since then the single shot and cheapy h&r guns got popular and the prices sky rocketed to the point I wouldn't get a new one unless the shop was running a darn good sale.

It is also worth nothing that while some of you think a two inch group at 100 yards is unacceptable (and for plenty of good reasons), almost 100% of what I shoot at is within 100 yards, so its all I need and has never done me wrong. If I'm shooting further I get a different gun. Its all a matter of perspectives, needs, and standards.

Edit: Sorry guys, late night browsing and not paying attention, didnt mean to bring it back from the dead. Also, the 20 gauge pardners were shooting that at 50 not one hundred, double my bad.
 
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No matter what anyone wants there will be critics. I have one handi left & thats because it will shoot an inch 3 shot group.
I remember when I was young (that means a long time ago) I read many Weatherby rifle ads that they gauranteed 1.5" 3 shot groups @100.
They sold a boatload of 'em with that claim. I've always gotten better then that with Remmys & Savages.
Good luck with your Handi........... ;-)
 
I had 2 hr ultravarmints in 223 both would do 1 in at 100 with factory ammo. The one with hand loads would do 1/2 in. The other 3/4 groups. Sold them to fund pistols and wish id kept one of em. Sure some maynot shoot great but compare prices to a tikka. And ive seen plenty of shotgunning tikkas, rems, etc.. It doesnt need to shoot 1/4 in groups for coyotes. Just has to do under 3-4 in at 200 yards for a capable hunting rig
 
Originally Posted By: crowpopperI had 2 hr ultravarmints in 223 both would do 1 in at 100 with factory ammo. The one with hand loads would do 1/2 in. The other 3/4 groups. Sold them to fund pistols and wish id kept one of em. Sure some maynot shoot great but compare prices to a tikka. And ive seen plenty of shotgunning tikkas, rems, etc.. It doesnt need to shoot 1/4 in groups for coyotes. Just has to do under 3-4 in at 200 yards for a capable hunting rig

And a Yugo will get you back and forth to the store!!
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Got rid of mine today. sold it to a big box store for quite a loss.
But, after sending a trendies amount of ammo down the barrel I am finally rid of my heartache.
I have run into a bunch of guys at the range with rifles that would drill single holes, but my 243 just wasn't one of those :-(
 
Originally Posted By: trickrickGot rid of mine today. sold it to a big box store for quite a loss.
But, after sending a trendies amount of ammo down the barrel I am finally rid of my heartache.
I have run into a bunch of guys at the range with rifles that would drill single holes, but my 243 just wasn't one of those :-(

I have always heard that the .243 Handi's are lemons due to how the chambers are, and that the 30-30's and 45-70's are a couple of the safest bets AFA cartridges in a Handi.

My brothers' 30-30 Handi looks to be a keeper so far, though it needs more shooting to confirm. It did put two shots of 125grain HP blue box Federals into a slightly larger than caliber-sized hole at 100yards once, but it hasn't been shot enough with that load to determine if that is typical or not (only had so many of those).......I'll know more soon. It appears to like the 170grain Federals, too.

A castration band was recently placed between the forend and the barrel......seems to shoot better when the barrel is hot after doing that. Again....needs more shooting to know for sure. This is an early 90's Handi with the ?ballard-cut? rifling.
 
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