DuckSouth.com

I'm looking for info from people that have done the research so I won't have too. I'm going to buy a handy rifle in the next two weeks.

What bullet caliber is best? The 45/70, 444, or the 35 whelen(sp?)

444

I've got a .444 in a handi. It was one of the originals that was born a .44 mag barrell and then stamped out to a .444 later. I cannot remember what it was, but there were some talks back when it came out that it was "more accurate" or something than the generation2 .444's. They may have all the kinks worked out. I love mine and hunt with it more than any of my other rifles. I feel comfortable out to 200yards with it.

I've never shot a .35 whelen, but from what I have heard, they are maybe a 300 yard gun. I think both are very comparible.

That being said, here is my opinion and what I plan on doing. I hunt with mine and love it so much, that I am looking to build a bad booty crack barrell. More than likely a TC Encore, thumbhole stock, stainless, or whatever fluted barrell, and some great optics and be done with it, game over, perfect deer rifle for where I hunt. I've got a .444 so it will probably be a .35 Whelen, just because I dont want 2 of the same caliber

You left out the 35 Remington..

If your shots are 250 yards or less, then I would go with either the 444 or the 35 Rem....The 35 Whelen is a 30-06 necked up to 35 caliber and packs a big PUNCH.. Also that bullet has such a shallow shoulder that it has caused misfires in most of the major brand Single Shots.. So unless you just have to have a legit "300" yard gun then I would stay away from the 35 Wheelen

I've got a .308 and a .300 win mag. I'm looking for a 150 or less shot and mostly in the woods. What does the ammo cost on average for the 444?

Buckwabit wrote:I've got a .308 and a .300 win mag. I'm looking for a 150 or less shot and mostly in the woods. What does the ammo cost on average for the 444?

~$24-26 last year for leverevolution 265gr hornady

Buckwabit wrote:I've got a .308 and a .300 win mag. I'm looking for a 150 or less shot and mostly in the woods. What does the ammo cost on average for the 444?

For that.. Look into the 35 Remington.. Great little round..

donia wrote:

Buckwabit wrote:I've got a .308 and a .300 win mag. I'm looking for a 150 or less shot and mostly in the woods. What does the ammo cost on average for the 444?

~$40 This year for leverevolution 265gr hornady

Fixed that for ya

I've always hunted on family land and never bought a primitive weapon but I've had several invites to hunt elsewhere and I never could go because I never owned a muzzle loader or single shot. They are not that expensive so I think that will be my Christmas present to myself this year. I looked at all the ballistics and found out pretty quick I didn't want the 45/70. But I have friends that shoot the 35 w and live them. But I have also read some bad reviews for that round also. So I think I'm leaning toward the 444. Chad, I haven't looked at the 35 Remington but I will before I buy a gun. Do they make those in the handi rifle also?

4dawgma wrote:

donia wrote:

Buckwabit wrote:I've got a .308 and a .300 win mag. I'm looking for a 150 or less shot and mostly in the woods. What does the ammo cost on average for the 444?

~$40 This year for leverevolution 265gr hornady

Fixed that for ya

YIKES! haven't looked in a while
from hornady store:
444 Marlin 265 gr FTX® LEVERevolution®
SKU: 82744 | 20/BX

MSRP: $45.65

larry potterfield has just the bullets (for reloading) for $26 per 50 count box...just the bullet!!!

whelen. You can stretch it out when you need to

I've recently purchased a 35 Whelen and I can tell you they do have quite a punch to them. I am SO ready to get it sighted in Saturday afternoon so I can see what it will do to a deer. It has got to be devastating...200 gr bullet traveling at @2900 fps. I am shooting the Hornady Superformance bullets and have yet to have a misfire in my Handi Rifle...but haven't shot it a lot yet. I did have to buy a new scope for it since the recoil from it broke my other one.

Buckwabit wrote:I've always hunted on family land and never bought a primitive weapon but I've had several invites to hunt elsewhere and I never could go because I never owned a muzzle loader or single shot. They are not that expensive so I think that will be my Christmas present to myself this year. I looked at all the ballistics and found out pretty quick I didn't want the 45/70. But I have friends that shoot the 35 w and live them. But I have also read some bad reviews for that round also. So I think I'm leaning toward the 444. Chad, I haven't looked at the 35 Remington but I will before I buy a gun. Do they make those in the handi rifle also?

I thought they did.. But BR549 PMed me and I just checked and they don't.. I have seen some at Van's but I don't know where they got them from.. A quick search appears the only way to go with the 35 Rem in in the TC Contender.. They have several of those on Gunbroker.. Sorry for the wild goose chase..

I know the handy rifles are less than $300. How much are the TC encores with the 444 or 35 barrels? I've never priced the TC's before

Buckwabit wrote:I know the handy rifles are less than $300. How much are the TC encores with the 444 or 35 barrels? I've never priced the TC's before

Quite a bit more.. I bought my Encore about 5 years ago.. Found it on sale for 20% off of $499.00 it was blued with synthetic stock and a .308 barrel. I have sold off the barrel and the stock and put on the caliber I wanted and a prohunter stock. Your probably looking at about 600-700 for an Encore in 444 or 35 Wheelen.