Biggest bang for the buck?

[Silvercreek Farmer]

By my estimations a 45/70 NEF Handi gives about the biggest bang (FPE) for the buck with CBs. Any other nominations?

[725]

All hail the king

[35 shooter]

Or a handi in 35 whelen!

[shoot-n-lead]

Or a handi in 35 whelen!

X 2

And, for some reason, they are the cheapest of the handi rifles...IDK why.

[Outpost75]

Of current production in a USA made product the Handi Rifle gets my vote.

The .44 Magnum is my favorite caliber in it for cast, but .30-30 is another good choice, which I also have.

[ghh3rd]

45-70 and .44 Mag - I have both in other firearms.. what a blast! Large calibers give you lots of "BANG" for the buck for sure :-)

[big bore 99]

My vote too. Have one in .45-70.

[starmac]

They are a pretty good bang for the bear too. lol

[olafhardt]

There is the 500S&W Handi which I read can be loaded with 700 grain boolits and lots of poowder. I haven't done it. I load mouse flatus 500S&W loads with a 365 grain hollow base wadcutter. Check out the 12 gauge from hell.

[jonp]

X 2

And, for some reason, they are the cheapest of the handi rifles...IDK why.

Got me. I bought my 35 Whelen from Buds on sale earlier this year for about $200.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I guess it depends on what you want to do, but a 22lr followed by a 357mag are really hard to beat.

[bbqncigars]

Well, for absolutely the biggest BANG for the buck, I'd go .58 caliber Minie in your choice of pistol or rifle. My .58 pistol w/rifle loads is just slightly quieter than my .50BMG rifle at the range. Pistol muzzle flip is impressive and unstoppable. The pistol has the bonus of generating a smoke cloud of near biblical dimensions when shooting Holy Black.

[bedbugbilly]

+1 to the Handi Rifles - I just got one in 357 but I can think of about 4 other calibers I'd like one in too . . . good value for the money!

[rking22]

Like the 45-70 handi also, was my first rifled one. I sent it back and got 30-30,357,and a 22 inch 20 ga. Los of options fron Reddot to FG ,light and handi! Now ,
"My .58 pistol w/rifle loads " sounds really interesting, got my thinkin wheels turning! Could you post some more info , maybe in the muzzle loader forum, or here...

[dudel]

+1 to the Handi Rifles - I just got one in 357 but I can think of about 4 other calibers I'd like one in too . . . good value for the money!

I really like my Handis. 357Mag/Max, .223 and .22 Hornet. Amazingly inexpensive, and very good shooters. I started out with the intention of getting one receiver and several barrels (like my Contender); but the whole thing is so affordable; that I ended up will full sets.

45-70 and .44Mag are very tempting.

[GhostHawk]

I can see myself going both routes. What I have not yet seen is a Handi rifle in .444 that is not a synthetic stock.

The .357 is tempting, I bet that would be a fun round in a Handi rifle with better performance than pistol and yet easier to control.
And yes I keep going back to the Buffalo Classic's in 45/70. Knowing what they'd do to my shoulder. Think I'd prefer 45 colt, or .444.

[Petrol & Powder]

When you say biggest bang for the buck, not withstanding Starmac's cleaver contribution, are you talking most versatility for the money? least cost per shot? Most performance for the least money?

44 magnum seem like a good compromise in a single shot rifle. With 45-70 being a real close second.

Both are excellent cast bullet candidates with lots of versatility. The 44 mag out of a rifle is a very respectable round inside of 100 yards and uses less powder per shot than the 45-70. On the other hand, the 45-70 gives you a few more options if you don't mind burning the powder.
If I was going to pair the rifle with a revolver some day, the 44 mag would be my choice.

[mdi]

By my estimations a 45/70 NEF Handi gives about the biggest bang (FPE) for the buck with CBs. Any other nominations?
'Scuse my ignorance but whut is FPE?

[Bullshop Junior]

'Scuse my ignorance but whut is FPE?

Foot pounds energy

[jmort]

The .500 S&W will be right there with the .45/70 in the ft lbs department