New England Firearms/H&R
 

I am considering buying a NEF handi-rifle in .223. I own a NEF Pardner shotfun in 20ga that has been a great little gun for me. Has anyone had any experience with NEF rifles? I googled and came up with several positive reviews, but I would like to get some input from the members on this board.

I am fully aware that this is not top of the line precision firearm, and I'm not expecting outstanding accuracy from it. I just want something to plink around with and possibly use it on the occasional varmint.


For those who may not be aware of the design of this rifle, it is a single shot, break action rifle. Once you buy the rifle, you can purchase additional barrels from the company that are hand fitted to your gun. The company also makes shotguns in the same configuration, with the option of different gauges and blackpowder barrels.

Thanks in advance, Monkeysugar.

I have not owned one, but a good firend I shoot with often has several....his .223 has to be the best bang for the buck I have ever seen. I 've tried to buy it from him several times, but to no avail. It is super accurate, even with a low-end scope on it. Probably shoots better than I am capable of (which is not inconsiderable :) ). One word of caution...he bought several large lots of cheap ammo (?surplus) the kind that comes in the military ammo boxes...reloaded ammo I believe it was...bot lots that bought (one for his .308, one for .233) had failure to extract issues that were a real PINTA. With that said...none of my reloads were ever a problem, nor were cheap off the counter kinds. The .223 ammo burned right though my AR, so it didn't go to waste! And didn't have any failures either...
The finish on these rifles(cosmetic) is not that great. I think they put all the attention where it needs to be though. With that said...go get one...I think I'm going to have to go look at 'em again now also!
shoot straight,
MD

Thanks maddemon. I'm probably going to get one after taking care of bills and Valentines day. That's good to know about the surplus ammo. I was considering getting a supply of it from Cabelas, but I'll probably stick with off the counter for a bit.

Just an update, I went and looked at a few today. They had a nice little .223 for about $230 (with scope) that I kind of liked, but they've also got a little .17HMR for about $160. I am having a difficult time deciding between the two. A .17HMR with a heavy barrel and synthetic stock is quite tempting for $160 versus $230 for a .223 with a standard barrel. My main concern is that the .17 HMR won't be overly effective on coyotes. If anyone has an opinion on or experience with the .17HMR I would love to hear about it.

.17 HMR
 

I really thought that this was going to be my new favorite round, but...its just not much good. I can't really tell a difference between it and 22 mag at the ranges that I shoot ( generally less than 250 yds) Maybe Its just what I am used to shooting. I also reload, and can't do that with the .17. So I guess I'd have to stay stay w/ .223. You can get away with anything up to deer sized game( with well placed shots- if its legal where you live) and I'm pretty comfortable with its performance out to 300 yds. The .17 will definately not be enough for coyotes. Anything bigger than a racoon would probably be pushing it. The bullet weighs less than 20 grains...even as fast as it is, thats not a lot of bullet energy...
Was the .17 a handi rifle? I'm thinking handling those little buggers in the cold would be real bear!
My 2 cents,
MD

They're calling it the "sportster" which looks like a handi rifle with composite stocks. Thanks for the input, those are all really good reasons not to get it in .17 HMR. I will probably get the .223. Now if only the check I've been waiting on would come in.....

Just one word of advice- Stay away from the H&R 10-gauges. I shot one once.... Ouch. A lot. :| (And I use a Browning 10-gauge for clay pigeons. :) )

Other that that, they are a fine inexpensive firearm.

Boomtruck,
If you still have that H&R (or want to try it in your browning) there's a company making inserts that let you shoot just about any smaller guage shells. This does way cool things to your shot pattern, An avid trap shooting friend of mine uses 20g in his double 10g...its a dream to shoot and he says it improved his game overall by at least 25%....well worth having in my book!
MD

Monkeysugar,

I bought a Handi-rifle in .223 last year. It is one of the best shooting rifles I have ever owned. Its very accurate, well made and for 200 bucks, can't beat it. I haven’t ordered any extra barrels yet, but going to order a couple when hunting season closes.

I topped mine off with a 2x -7x scope, hammer extension, and camo painted it. Coyotes don’t know what hit them.

I am very pleased with mine...I think you would enjoy it.

Hope this helps,

Fishin Musician

Fishin Musician, thanks for the input. I went to a little hole in the wall gun place- the kind where the owner is the staff. He has a .223 in right now, and is expecting a shipment of NEF's in this week. Hopefully I'll have a new tackdriver (or a good start towards one) within a week.

Maddemon802

The H&R was my uncles. He got it and 9 shells at an auction. (as in, the first guy bought it, shot it once, and decided it was more than he wanted.) I like using my 10 on clays because A- nobody tries to mooch my shells because they were too cheap to buy extras, and B- you can reach waaaay out there if you have to.

I went and got the handi-rifle in .223 on friday. Happy birthday to me...I have been working all weekend and haven't been able to go out and shoot it yet.

In other news, I hope I get some cash for my birthday, because I talked to the nice lady at the gun counter at Big 5, and she let me look on the computer to see what they can get from Century Arms. They've got M96 Swedish Mausers for about $120 or $130 that they can order for me. I have not seen a swede for that low of a price in a long time.