Late model Handi-Rifle worth it?

[FergusonTO35]

Hey folks. I'm currently bidding on a really nice NEF Handi Rifle in .45-70. It has the wood stock and the serial places it as being made in 2005. I realize these rifles don't go for $200.00 anymore, but how much would you spend if you wanted one? Anything to watch out for? I have an NEF shotgun and muzzleloader already and they are just fine. Anybody know if the Handi gets along with the Lee boolit designs? I have the 405 grain hollow base mold with some already cast.

[Traffer]

I bought a handi 45/70 with a 22in barrel 4 yrs ago for $200 with two boxes of shells and a red dot scope. Had it been the long barrel version, it would probably have gone for $400. I was amazed that I got it so cheap. I think the one I bought would probably go for $350 or more now. I also think that prices will come back down in the future. but What do I know.

[FergusonTO35]

I was about to order a brass frame Henry, but stumbled upon this one so figured I would see if I could get it first.

[koger]

Just for what it is worth, in 37 years of gunsmithing/mounting scopes/zeroing rifles, I have never saw a H&R/NEF handi rifle in .45/70 that was not a shooter, and saw them outshoot Marlin 1895's and Ruger #1's in the same calibers, many times. I would suggest putting a good recoil pad on it if you get it.

[725]

What Kroger said. Also, agree w/ recoil comment. In addition, I put a mercury recoil dampener in the through bolt in the stock. Made it a really ***** cat to shoot.

[Mk42gunner]

The only thing I know for sure to watch out for on an H&R or NEF break open gun is what they call the striker and lifter assembly. It is what goes between the hammer and firing pin for a new and improved safer model. Yeah right.

Every single one I have had and shot very much has broken. Its not all that hard to replace, but it is time consuming and the gun is down hard until it is replaced. It is pretty cheap, the last one I bought was something like six or seven dollars.

I much prefer the older style with no block. I received an H&R Model 58 in .410 for Christmas in 1975 and grew up shooting that shotgun with zero problems, (no block). I must have put a bazillion rounds through it, but the newer ones I am careful to have a replacement part on hand before shooting it much.

Robert

[sukivel]

I have 4 Handi rifles and I think I shoot my 45-70 the most. They are all great guns. I have two different loads in 45-70 with two different bullets and the 500 grainer I load pretty stiff. But being the big bullet and it still is slower than most the recoil in it is really no that bad and e generally don’t like recoil.

With no more Handis being made I think $400ish is the ballpark these days even without the panic buying. Are they worth it? The four I have in 45-70, 44 mag, 22 hornet and 25-06 I would easily pay more than that. Some of the other calibers I would not.

[Nazgul]

Had one in 45-70 and really liked it. Shot well, recoil was harsh with heavy bullets /loads but not brutal. Had a friend ask me what to take with him kayaking in Alaska, sold it to him. I had 6 other 45-70's so did not miss not.

Overall a great rifle that you did not have to worry about.

Don

[GhostHawk]

IMO any handi rifle is worth 250 to 450$ depending on caliber. The more rare the caliber the higher the price goes.

One of my most treasured possessions is a Handi rifle barrel in .45 colt that I bought here for 400$. Worth every penny.
I paid 300$ for a combo .30-30 and 20 ga in like new condition, and I felt like I stole it.
Pawn shop offered the guy 100$ 2 days earlier. Which shows you what they are looking for for markup. They normally offer 20 to 40% of what they think they can sell it for.

[Edward]

Mine is a handi rifle (45-70) I bought for $200.00 5yrs ago estate sale (never fired) it is my go to CF rifle for killing stuff to 190 yds with a 2x7 Leupold using a 350 gr NOE 460 FN sized to 459 over 26 gr of 2400 /1/2 grain of dacron . It recoils like a 30-30 (maybe) and bangs/flops anything shot in the correct spot ./Ed

[FergusonTO35]

Sounds great, thanks guys. If I get the rifle I will probably feed it the Lee hollow base 405 grain at trapdoor velocity. Anybody try this boolit in a Handi?

[FergusonTO35]

This is the rifle, sure hope I get it!

289080

[Good Cheer]

I hope you get it too.
Best wishes on your procurement.
Don't forget to try paper patching Keith SWC's!

[double8]

If the bid fails...look into a CVA Scout 45-70 in stainless steel. Before Biden Time, [BBT] I bought a new one for $350. I've had a "blast" shooting 300 gr coated cast boolets.
!0 gr of Unique is quite accurate and with that load, 700 loads out of a pound of Unique is easy money per round

[FergusonTO35]

Hmmm. The NEF .45-70 is up to $376.00 with a day and a half to go. If I got it for that price plus shipping and transfer it costs about the same as a new blued Henry single shot. So, right now I'm leaning towards letting someone else have it.

[Traffer]

Hmmm. The NEF .45-70 is up to $376.00 with a day and a half to go. If I got it for that price plus shipping and transfer it costs about the same as a new blued Henry single shot. So, right now I'm leaning towards letting someone else have it.

If you can get the Henry...that is the way I would go. Henry's are better rifles. And they will appreciate in value more.

[FergusonTO35]

Found another 2000's Handi Rifle with more finish wear than the first. Offered the seller $300.00 for it, hopefully he will bite.

[Texas by God]

You can always stub a 12 gauge Topper to 45-70. Just saying[emoji16]

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Four-Sixty]

My issue with the 45-70 I had was no throat. The rifling severely engraved the bullet, so much so, that it was hard to close.

[eastbank]

i would hold out for used tc encore, i have three and they were bought localy used for three to five hundred. the 5 hundred one had a older 4x leupold on it and it still is.

[FergusonTO35]

Yeah, an Encore for the same money is a better deal than anything H&R/NEF. We shall see what happens.

[dverna]

I had one but in a different caliber and it would not shoot. I may have got a lemon.

You are getting close to the cost of a new Henry so that is something to consider. The only issue with the Henry has been the trigger and there is a long thread here by (IIRC) Megasupermagnum. I would at least find one to handle and dry fire before making my decision.

BTW, that is a classic caliber you have picked.

Good luck.

[jason280]

Any luck?

I just picked up '97 H&R "Whitetails Unlimited" .45-70 with Williams rear peep for $375, so there are some deals still out there.

[FergusonTO35]

Currently on vacation and the wife and daughter have back to back birthdays so won't be gun shopping for a little while! May be able to get back to it next week.

[cybttwind]

Is there a Handi-rifle Classic Carbine .45 out there For Sale? I've been looking without much luck.