NEF Handi Rifle .22 Hornet

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greengt88

Well-known member
Just scooped this up at the local gun shop, came in as a trade over the weekend.
Got it for a song and a prayer.
Other than trigger jobs, what would be the best modifications or upgrades to do?
The barrel is in immaculate shape inside.
Already has a hammer extension...obviously the scope needs to go, its a no name crap chinese scope.
 
Now this is interesting..... I have the very same gun, that has been sitting in the corner for about 6 years. I pulled it out the other day and thought, Well, what the heck can I do with this. The trigger has already been messed with (me, first try on a Handi trigger) likely took off a bit much cause ya have to completely pull it through the shot to get the "interrupter" to get in and out.

I am really thinking about having it chambered out to an Ackley Imp or K Hornet just for giggels.... I would like to be able to get some new trigger parts but I dont know if there are any available. Really if I could get someone to make a trigger set up for it with a half cock and a detente (sear/fly) where I could polish it down to 1 lb or so I would be a happy camper.

Good luck with yours.
 
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Had one. Accuracy was so so. Had a problem with cases sticking in the chamber. Had to knock them out with a cleaning rod. Not just fired cases either. Tried polishing the chamber. Didn't help. Finally sent it packing.

Hope you have better luck than I. Fun little gun otherwise.
 
I had one for years with a full forearm stock and killed tons of groundhogs with it. I still have it but think to many rounds down the barrel over the years.
 
I had one. It's trigger was so heavy that I couldn't shoot it. I'm guessing 12lb. Sand bagged it shot decent. Bought it for $130, traded it for $150.
 
Has the hammer been bobbed? On my Handi I reversed the hammer extension and ground off all the hammer that stuck above the hammer extension. That allowed me to use lower rings. I just painted the ground off portion with a black marker and it held. You might consider replacing the butt stock with a Monte Carlo version. The scope lines up better that way.

The Hornet barrels used by NEF were all over the board on accuracy. I hope you got one of the good ones. The Superlights had the worst accuracy, so if it is a standard it should shoot pretty well. I have a buddy who does trigger jobs on them for about $40. It is not a job for an amateur.

Check the Handi Rifle forum on Graybeard Outdoors for plenty of info.
 
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Awesome info guys...
I think this may have had a trigger job already, it definitely has a light pull. The scope is going to go in the trash as is the mount and rings, i was planning to go with a Talley mount, and a Leupold VX-1 3-9×40...i think that will be a much better fit for this rifle...i am however tempted to shoot it 1st, and see if its even worth doing anything to it or sending it along...i'll report back asap
 
My friend just bought a Ruger #3 in a 22 Hornet. He had it at the club today. Its a HOOT to shoot for sure. He had several different loads for it, some it shot terrible others shot really good. Now he's got me wanting one. LOL
 
Handi rifle forearms will effect accuracy just like other rifles. Sand out the barrel channel and dont tighten the hanger screw. Just snug enough that it wont fall out. You can also use a thin washer between the forend and barrel, sort of poor man pillar job.

The extraction problem can be cured with a stronger spring that will keep the extractor tight against the rim. Encores are famous for this now that S&W has them. You can also tweak the extractor up just a little with some needle nose pliers.

Accuracy can be quite good with some tweaking. My kids started deer hunting with one in 223. They both killed deer with it and so has a friends grandson and wife. Good luck.
 
Originally Posted By: huntschoolIhitchcox:

Can you put me in touch with your Handi trigger job friend????

Thanks

He is JJ Mills at Mills Gun Supply in Pikeville, TN. It would be quite expensive to ship the gun in and back, but if you want his phone number, I will get it for you.
 
Sandy, I had issues with a hand 7-08 and was giving up on it when as a last ditch effort I put a rubber O-ring around the forend screw. The groups went from 3 to 4 inches to about 1 1/4 inches.
 
lhitchcox:

Thanks, I'll google the shop and see what we can do. I have some other work I might want want done while he has the gun. Shipping the gun is cheap. You can PM me the shop number if you want.

Thanks
 
I got 2 boxes of Hornady 35gr Vmax to try. Im gonna just function test it, and shoot a group. I really want this thing to be a keeper, i do have a new leupold to try also. Im just worried the mounts and rings are that crappy that it will be inaccurate. Hoping i can get out monday.
I have 6 new or new to me rifles that all need to go to the range.
 
I knew a guy who had one years ago, shot factory ammo through it, held a fairly descent group, most of the time for the kind of money you are talking its hard to go to far wrong.
 
I've had one in .233 and my brother still does. His shoots "ok" mine was about a 1.50 moa gun with hand loads. I found that both were pretty sensitive to the way you closed the breach. The more consistently you closed it the better it shot. IMHO if you really wanna mess with a break over single shot the only way to get accuracy good enough to live with is to get into Thompson Center rifles.
 


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