AvidHunter100

so recently i have been looking into a rifle in .223 or 22 -250 for varmints because currently i have just got into varmint hunting back in February and so far i have called 3 coyotes in and killed 2 i missed the 1 coyote at about 150 with my .308 because i dont get to practice a lot because of ammo price so i was looking at some cheap .223 22 250's and came across handi rifles has any body had any experiences with them ? feel free to throw other guns at me thanks

GTOHunter

Are You talking about the Single-Shot H & R or NEF Rifles?They are pretty good guns to have and can be very accurate also.I would also check into the Savage Axis Rifle especially the Combo Rifles where You get the scope package and a pretty good price....so far they come with the Bushnell 3x9x40mm scopes and I believe they will be using the Nikon BDC reticle scopes also for further shooting?


I looked at a Savage Axis in Camo with the Bushnell scope in a .223 caliber bolt-action for around $359.99,don't know if they are still in that price range?The plain black synthetic stock Rifle would be even cheaper....or You could get the bare Rifle and put Your own scope you prefere on it?It holds 4 shells in the clip so You'll have a chance at a quick second follow up shot or even at another Coyote if another comes in.

I'm using the CZ model 527 .204 "Varmint" Rifle and it does a great job at knocking down Coyotes with very little pelt damage.....I just want to add a .223 Rifle to my Arsenal of Coyote/Predator killing machines in case it gets a little windy or I hunt in thicker cover?

AvidHunter100

thanks my 308 is a stevens model 200 i really like it i think i might try to get one in 223 also this is of topic but my front scope lens is loose do you think that will mess up the zero

bronko22000

Avid - I had one of those ugly H&R Handi Rifles in .223. And even with the bull barreled model I had it was still butt heavy. I never had any trouble with it but I did end up trading it in. But man could that rifle shoot. I took it to a public range one time and when I uncased it I could see the guys with their way more expensive rifles snickering at my <$200 piece of crap with the hardwood stock and barrel that was so rough it looked like it was finished with a bastard file.
I pulled the first target from the 100 yd range with the ragged 1/2" hole and one guy asked how many shots were in that group. When I told him about 10 or 12 no one was snickering anymore.
The handi rifle is one of those "don't judge a book by its cover" sort of things.

c-rad

I was given one in a 204. Gun shoots a 1 1/4 group. I didn't think the gun would do that because how cheap it was made. I ended up putting a night vision scope on it an made it my varmit gun. I wouldn't make it my go to weapon but does the job for critters around the house.

Nomercy448

So, to answer this question, I'll pose a question:

You're obviously considering the Handi-Rifles because they are cheap (why else would anyone buy one?), but I'd like to ask, are you wanting a cheap rifle because:

A) You intend to only hunt coyotes casually a few times a year or maybe not at all, so you don't really NEED a coyote rifle, but can justify a small expense on one?

or

B) You want to get into hunting coyotes more and have a limited budget right now and would plan to upgrade later?

Personally, if A applies to you, then the Handi-rifle will suit you fine. You don't need a $2000 rig sitting in the closet collecting dust just to go shoot a few coyotes every winter.

HOWEVER, if B applies to you, then PASS on the Handi-Rifle. Here's what will happen if you are actually going to get into hunting coyotes, which is to say, you'll actually go call coyotes more than about 2-3 times per year, on more than one or two years...

Someone that's just starting out, but plans to upgrade later will spend $250 on a handi-rifle today will use it for a year or two, all the while wishing they had something else, then either lose interest in calling coyotes because they're frustrated with their weapon, or break down and buy the rifle they SHOULD have bought to begin with. But, at that point, you'll be the proud owner of a handi-rifle, that really isn't worth jack (used prices around here are $100ish). Personally, I'd forego the wasted time and get a suitable rig. No, you don't need a $2000 rig to hunt coyotes ($700-1200 each on rifle and scope, give or take, for a top of the line coyote rig), but for $400-500, a Savage Package rifle (axis package, 11 package, etc etc) would suit you quite well.

For what it's worth, the Savage Axis base price (no scope) is $299. Personally, if the Handi is $250, and an Axis is only $50 more, I know what I'd be spending my money on.

Even in that price range, a higher quality USED rifle would be a far better option. I bought a used Savage/Stevens 200 for $200 back in '09 or '10, and the guy threw the 3-9x40 bushnell scope in for free. I bought a used Savage 10 last year looking for a donor action for a custom build for $450.

The general question for coyote hunters is "do I really need an AR-15 for faster follow up shots?" Most hunters with bolt guns will, at one point in their hunting careeer or another, feel disadvantaged even carrying a bolt gun, since a semiauto would have faster follow up for doubles or running dogs. Ask yourself, how fast can I really be with a single shot break-over? Not likely that you'll even be as fast as a bolt gun, let alone a semiauto!

Sure, a Handi-rifle can work, and yes, you will be able to kill coyotes with it. But no, I wouldn't say I'd recommend one.

ihookem1

Some shoot , some really shoot and some don't shoot. I bought a .243 superlight, it don't shoot. Take the chance if you want but an Axis is a Savage so it most likely will shoot.