Recoil of H&R Handi Rifle?

Hawkeye sniper · 02-15-2008, 11:33 PM

Hey all. My first gun was a H&R 20 guage which kicks more than alot of 12s in 2 3/4". But its a great gun and I'm interested in a handi rifle in 270 or 30-06. I hunt turkeys with a Rem 870 with 3 1/2" shells so I can handle some power. But I cant shoot that gun much due to the recoil and with the rifle I want to put some rounds through it at the range. For those that own handis on comparable calibers what do you think?

OkieHenry · 02-16-2008, 12:56 AM

Every Handi Rifle I've ever owned (but one) had a factoy recoil pad and kicked like a 410 shotgun. If the one your looking at don't have a recoil pad, Limbsaver makes a great slip-on.
I've had 4 Handi Rifles 2 in 270 win, 1 in 30-06, and 1 in 45-70 govt.
The 45-70 I shot once and sold, because 400 grain JSP Bear Loads and no recoil pad just didn't feel good.

two-70 · 02-16-2008, 04:00 PM

the 270 win i had in the handi rifle kicked like a mare mule lol

petemi · 02-17-2008, 10:01 AM

My .45-70 Handi Rifle, wood stock and recoil pad, has managable recoil with Hornady's 325 gr. Leverevolution. My .22-250 is a sweetheart, but I'm a little spooky about the Handi Mag .300 Win. Magnum I've got on order, it only weighs 7 pounds and comes with a synthetic stock. We'll see. I intend to sight it in and then only hunt serious game with it. She just ain't a plinkin' rifle! If I get it sighted in, I'll be fine; I don't even hear the gun go off when I'm hunting!!

Hawkeye sniper · 02-17-2008, 11:06 AM

Think I might try the 270. A store nearby has a good price one one. I like the looks of the Handi Mags. Let me know how your 300 win mag shoots for ya.

jerry · 02-17-2008, 11:09 AM

My 223 has little to no recoil, but it is a 223. That said, the wood stocked guns have some weight to them as well as a mentioned decent recoil pad.

texnmidwest · 02-17-2008, 11:12 AM

I have always admired the Handi rifle. I found one Friday in 7.62x39 on sale for a great price. I may buy it Monday.

I would stick with a mild mannered caliber though. That light of a rifle can get pretty Ornery with the larger ones. There was a post about that where one of us tried to help a shooter who had a similar Rossi in 06. Wound up breakin' the scope mount with his eye. Not fun.

Hawkeye sniper · 02-24-2008, 12:29 AM

Bought the 270 yesterday with a decent scope mounted and boresighted. Too good of a price to pass up. I'll let you know how it shoots. I predict a deer in the freezer next season.

N2914J · 02-24-2008, 01:45 AM

I've got a Handi-Rifle in .500 S&W, and it kicks about like my .30-.30, totally manageable. My latch spring is weak, and sometimes the barrel opens up when I shoot. Not a big deal, just try to avoid the big calibers.

LouMG · 03-20-2008, 11:00 AM

I have a HR 20gauge Ultra Hunter. To cut down on recoil, I cant think of any other reason as the heavy barrel weighs quite abit, the factory puts a lead weight inside the butt. You can hear it move around. I know the 20 dosent kick at all, unless I use 3inch magnum loads. Maybe the same weight could be put in your gun.
Lou

02-15-2008, 11:33 PM	#1
Hawkeye sniper Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 27	Recoil of H&R Handi Rifle? Hey all. My first gun was a H&R 20 guage which kicks more than alot of 12s in 2 3/4". But its a great gun and I'm interested in a handi rifle in 270 or 30-06. I hunt turkeys with a Rem 870 with 3 1/2" shells so I can handle some power. But I cant shoot that gun much due to the recoil and with the rifle I want to put some rounds through it at the range. For those that own handis on comparable calibers what do you think?

02-16-2008, 04:00 PM	#3
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	the 270 win i had in the handi rifle kicked like a mare mule lol __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

02-17-2008, 11:09 AM	#6
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,884 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	My 223 has little to no recoil, but it is a 223. That said, the wood stocked guns have some weight to them as well as a mentioned decent recoil pad. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

02-17-2008, 11:12 AM	#7
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,454	I have always admired the Handi rifle. I found one Friday in 7.62x39 on sale for a great price. I may buy it Monday. I would stick with a mild mannered caliber though. That light of a rifle can get pretty Ornery with the larger ones. There was a post about that where one of us tried to help a shooter who had a similar Rossi in 06. Wound up breakin' the scope mount with his eye. Not fun. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

02-24-2008, 01:45 AM	#9
N2914J Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 391	I've got a Handi-Rifle in .500 S&W, and it kicks about like my .30-.30, totally manageable. My latch spring is weak, and sometimes the barrel opens up when I shoot. Not a big deal, just try to avoid the big calibers. __________________ God Bless America

02-16-2008, 12:56 AM	#2
OkieHenry Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma Posts: 78	Every Handi Rifle I've ever owned (but one) had a factoy recoil pad and kicked like a 410 shotgun. If the one your looking at don't have a recoil pad, Limbsaver makes a great slip-on. I've had 4 Handi Rifles 2 in 270 win, 1 in 30-06, and 1 in 45-70 govt. The 45-70 I shot once and sold, because 400 grain JSP Bear Loads and no recoil pad just didn't feel good.

02-17-2008, 10:01 AM	#4
petemi Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Engadine, Upper Peninsula, MI Posts: 90	My .45-70 Handi Rifle, wood stock and recoil pad, has managable recoil with Hornady's 325 gr. Leverevolution. My .22-250 is a sweetheart, but I'm a little spooky about the Handi Mag .300 Win. Magnum I've got on order, it only weighs 7 pounds and comes with a synthetic stock. We'll see. I intend to sight it in and then only hunt serious game with it. She just ain't a plinkin' rifle! If I get it sighted in, I'll be fine; I don't even hear the gun go off when I'm hunting!!

02-17-2008, 11:06 AM	#5
Hawkeye sniper Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 27	Think I might try the 270. A store nearby has a good price one one. I like the looks of the Handi Mags. Let me know how your 300 win mag shoots for ya.

02-24-2008, 12:29 AM	#8
Hawkeye sniper Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 27	Bought the 270 yesterday with a decent scope mounted and boresighted. Too good of a price to pass up. I'll let you know how it shoots. I predict a deer in the freezer next season.

03-20-2008, 11:00 AM	#10
LouMG Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NY Posts: 13	Added weight I have a HR 20gauge Ultra Hunter. To cut down on recoil, I cant think of any other reason as the heavy barrel weighs quite abit, the factory puts a lead weight inside the butt. You can hear it move around. I know the 20 dosent kick at all, unless I use 3inch magnum loads. Maybe the same weight could be put in your gun. Lou Last edited by LouMG; 03-20-2008 at 11:02 AM.