.270 or .308 Handi rifle

**plumberoy** · 01-22-2013, 05:18 PM

I would choose the 308 I have 2 molds and reloading I can hunt anything in the lower 48 with it I have an old H&R 157 In 3030Ackley 113 cast bullets at 1100 F.P.S. drops squirrels out 50 yards 170 cast bullets @ 1850 f.p.s hit an inch low at 100 yards 150 grain sierra f.p. at close to 2400 f.p.s hit dead on at 100 yard with out changing the scope
Roy

**hunter63** · 01-22-2013, 05:24 PM

Good thing about a Handi Rifle, is that most any center fire ammo you can find....you can get a barrel for.
Way of the future?.....don't know,..... but a different way of looking at the world......

Not 'What's the best for....?'.....But "What have you got that goes boom."

**WFR** · 01-23-2013, 08:42 PM

I'd personally opt for the .308 because of the availability of heavier bullet weights.
One thing to consider right now is the fact that .308 (7.62X51) is a military cartridge and it has been non-existent on store shelves since all this craziness and panic-buying has set in.
Good ole .270 seems to be around in most stores.

**JLRider** · 01-23-2013, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by WFR

I'd personally opt for the .308 because of the availability of heavier bullet weights.
One thing to consider right now is the fact that .308 (7.62X51) is a military cartridge and it has been non-existent on store shelves since all this craziness and panic-buying has set in.
Good ole .270 seems to be around in most stores.

x2

sent from my dumb phone.

**Hank McMauser** · 01-24-2013, 03:54 AM

I used to have a handi rifle in .243. I'll be honest with you if it were me I'd consider a bolt action rifle,if you look on the used gun rack,you may be able to find a savage or dept store remington 700 for $200-300.
My 243 while ok accuracy wise it was definitely nothing to brag about. That coupled with the fact that occasionally (1 in 20) times when it was fired,the empty brass would not extract from the chamber, requiring a cleaning rod to knock out the brass,making for a not so quick second shot.
While these single shots may be fine for shotguns, or rimmed lower intesity cartridges like 30/30 or pistol rounds such as 357/44 mag. I would much prefer a bolt action design that offers more extraction force.

**leaf and lightning** · 02-10-2013, 09:16 AM

well, I settled on .308... the poll was pretty one sided, and it turns out that I know somebody who reloads .308(didn't know that before), which might give me a few more options... I ordered the "Survivor" model...

**knifeman85** · 02-10-2013, 09:38 AM

Good choice.I have hade many of them,and currently have one in 30/06 that my 16 yr old shoots and one in 270 that i shoot.Been shooting the 06 for 15 yrs now.Just got the 270 during this mad ammo dash.What made me get thta caliber was,not just the effective ness of the round,but the availabilty of ammo and reloading supplies.It seemed to be the last one anybody sold out of.Get the gun and become familiar with it.You will be very happy.I, shot mine out to 220 240 yrds.No problems with accuracy.I dont know what it is but EVERY one of these guns seem to have liked winchester power point ammo in the silver box.30/06 180,308 150,270 130,243 100...This may keep you from speding money on ammo to try.But start there.Mike

**Thaddius Bickerton** · 02-10-2013, 02:30 PM

A fellow I camp and shot with for years bought his son (12 year old) a handi in

.280 remington.

it is very very accurate, and dropped 3 deer this year for the boy.

.270 and .280 are from the 30 06 parent case.

7mm 08 and .308 are a shorter case, but

all offer similar performance on game.

My all time favorite H&R is the buffalo classic in 45/70.

I have considered a 45long colt or .500 S&"W handi several times just because.

I don't think you will be disappointed no matter which way you choose.

Also you can have it fitted with other barrels later on if you want to.

A nice combo would be to have a centerfire barrel, a 12 gauge (or 20) and a .50 muzzle loading barrel all fitted and in a nice case / box.

Looking forward to range reports.

**Davros** · 02-10-2013, 03:04 PM

In Indiana we can not hunt with those calibers. Have to be at least .357 or bigger. I know our state is weird but I would make sure those calibers are legal in your neck of the woods.

**leaf and lightning** · 02-11-2013, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Davros

In Indiana we can not hunt with those calibers. Have to be at least .357 or bigger. I know our state is weird but I would make sure those calibers are legal in your neck of the woods.

NY used to have a .30 cal minimum rule, according to my dad, but now it is legal to hunt big game with any centerfire cartridge