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View Full Version : Handi Rifle in .308 & cast boolits?



Murphy
09-02-2007, 06:32 PM
I've had my eye on Handi Rifles for sometime now. I puchased one on the cheap back earlier this summer. It has some serious trigger issues for sure. So it's back to the factory for a trigger job.

The gun probably has seen less than 50-60 rounds of 'J' word bullets thru it, so it will recieve a thorough cleaning before any tests begin.

Now my questions.

The sole .30 Cal. cast mold I own is the #311041. I have three of these actually. A Lyman single cavity, a Lyman HP version and David R's group buy mold.

I figure to keep loads down in the 1800-2000 fps range with this booit.

Now the big question: I am extremely tempted to start shopping for a .30 cal. mold that isn't a flat point, and it will be a gas checked mold.

I would like to stay in the 170 or slightly heavier grain boolit weight range.

I will be looking to push the limits on velocity with the latter mentioned boolit.

The Handi Rifle has a 1-10 twist rate.

As for alloys, lube...etc. I have all I need in that arena to make it work at the higher end velocities.

Intended usage of this gun will be for practice, fun and whitetails.

Thanks in advance fella's.......now talk to me about it!

Murphy

Murphy
09-03-2007, 11:01 AM
'Bump'

stillhunter
10-10-2007, 01:10 PM
Suggest Lyman 311291 sixed .308 . It is gass checked and shoots well in all my .30 cal guns. 30 gr of 3031 is about 1900 fps in a 30-30.

Freightman
10-10-2007, 01:22 PM
If I was going to send the action back to the factory for a trigger job I would get the barrels I wanted as the freight is the same.I used several .310-.311 boolits with gerat succes ina Saiga .308 I had. cycled the action and no lead.

scrapcan
10-10-2007, 01:33 PM
a coworker and friend has a handi with 308 and 223 barrel. He has noted that the throat is very long in both.

As for the mould you might try 311291 as suggested above or just shoot what you got. You might be suprised at what your results may be at the higher rate of travel you would like to experiement with.

Ben
10-10-2007, 02:37 PM
It may be heavier than you want, but the Lee 200 gr. RN for $18.00 for a double cav. is a cheap alternative right now. You won't have to shoot too many of these to get your $18 worth from the mold.

That bullet has given me super accurate groups from a variety of 30 cal. rifles I own. I size .3095 " with a Lee Push thru sizer that has been honed out to a silky smooth .3095 .

If at all possible seat the nose up into the lands so you'll see some light engraving on the nose when the breech is closed. Try 18.5 grs. of IMR 4198 with this bullet.

Best,

Ben

Jon K
10-10-2007, 03:52 PM
311291 or 311041 w/28 gr Varget will get you right@ 2000fps.

Jon

Misfire99
10-10-2007, 09:40 PM
Hi Murphy
I am going this route myself. But my handi rifle won't be here for another week or so. Mine will be in 45/70 but I plan on getting a couple of different caliber barrels for it. I am going to try paper patching for all calibers. Have you thought about doing this? I have read articles about guys getting three thousand feet per second with paper patched cast boolets. That got my attention. I have also heard of people using Teflon tape instead of paper. And if you are interested Track Of The Wolf has 100% cotton paper for sale. They say that once this is gone it's gone for good. They also have 25% cotton paper that works well I'm told. I got 500 sheets of both just for fun.

I was at the table paper patching some 45/70 boolets and my 12 year old daughter was setting there also. I told her that this is how the buffalo hunters of old made their boolets. She just looked at me and said "time consuming." I said yea but they didn't have TV.

Joel Chavez
10-26-2007, 10:03 AM
My little boy has been shooting the Lee 7.62x39 without the gc sized at .311 from a 30/30 Handi with 7gr of Unique. I'm not sure on the FPS, but I'd say they are flying about 1200. He holds a 1/2" group at 50yds all day long with this boolit. Good luck in your quest. Later.:-D

Backgear
11-16-2007, 09:23 PM
Murphy, my 308 Handi thrives on 314299 and H322.

smokemjoe
11-19-2007, 06:22 PM
I see these H&R at the gun shows here used for $85.00 in rifle cals. Can all of them be rebarreled and what cals. can they be barreld to, Think about a 44 mag. and what twist do they do. Are these barrels drilled and tapped for scope mounts.Anyone got the web site no. for H&R .

Scrounger
11-19-2007, 08:09 PM
I see these H&R at the gun shows here used for $85.00 in rifle cals. Can all of them be rebarreled and what cals. can they be barreld to, Think about a 44 mag. and what twist do they do. Are these barrels drilled and tapped for scope mounts.Anyone got the web site no. for H&R .

Yes Yes Yes Yes http://www.hr1871.com/

Tristan
11-19-2007, 09:03 PM
I've been looking for a 30-30 for a while... I've seen the Rossi 2 and 3 barrel kits for a fair price, but not in 30-30, nor have I run across a Handi-Rifle in that caliber either...

Should have bought one years ago when I saw them the first time at a show, for the incredibly high price of $99. ;)

- Tristan

jebb45
11-27-2007, 01:38 PM
Murphy......
You might give a 311413 style bullet a good try. I use this bullet in my "06" and it works great. I cast it with 18/2 mix and it holds up good to around 22-2300 fps so far. I am going to push it up a bit this summer and see if it will hold. I use Hornady gas checks and my own lube, and do not have any problems yet.I am using IMR-4895 powder and may try some H-322 or H-4198 powder.

creekwalker
11-27-2007, 10:35 PM
I'm glad I found this thread, I've been considering a Handi Rifle too and wasn't clear as to what barrels could be used on the reciever or if more than one length of reciever was used. Like Murphy the main reason I'd like to get one is for cast bullets and learn what combinations work best with what powder.

creekwalker

MT Gianni
11-28-2007, 11:00 AM
Murph & Creekwalker, get the Lee 113gr fp. It is called the Soup can by most of us and just shoots better than it should. Paper, rabbits, cans and rocks it is an easy recoiler, cheap on powder and just plain fun. Gianni

Larry Gibson
11-28-2007, 01:16 PM
Murphy

I'd work the 311041s over first. That is a very good bullet and should be quite accurate I'd shoot them as close to as cast as I could. I'll also recommend around 29 gr of 4895 with a dacron filler. 311291 would be another good choice but it won't show you much over 311041. 311299 or 314299 are very good choices on the heavy side. They shoot very well in the 1700 to 1900 fps range out of 10" twist barrels. The've a good BC so they also carry well at longer range. If you want to try something different try Lyman's 311466 (out of production but they can be found). It is a Lovern design that weighs 150-155 gr. It is very accurate and in 10" twists can be loaded to 2000 fps with accuracy.

Larry Gibson