H&R Handi Rifle or T/C Encore?

[Roktoys84]

For some reason I want one. I think it's the ability to swap barrels. The H&R is cheaper but requires you to send in the rifle to get barrel factory fitted. Barrels are 1/3 of the price of T/C though. The T/C can be bought as a pistol frame for more options but damn are they spendy. I also looked at the CVA Apex but they have very few options are are almost as much $ as the T/C.

Anyone have any experience with these? Any issues with either rifles? Accuracy? Me thinks one of these with a 16" .308 barrel would make a good pack rifle.

[sawzallsammy]

The H&R is heavy, but a good shooter. I like the Prohunter is stainless for the TC. I would pay the extra for the TC.

[DavidVanVorous]

Somehow the idea of having to spend $-time to refit a barrel goes against my grain even iffen its just 1x.

I dont use an encore but have had a Contender since 1976. Takes all of 10 min to do a barrel swap, amounting to the removal of the forestock (2 screws on the long barrels or 1 on short), pulling a pin and reversing the order to replace with a new barrel. The encore or the newer G2 frame isnt any different. Getting barrels is cheap as ya run into them at the shows for less than typical gun store retail all the time.

Then theres the T/C lifetime warranty...

The downside is that ones collection of reloading dies and brass types go up dramatically as one adds new barrels...

D.

[cslimfu]

I have the super 14 T/C not the encore. 10 mins to swap a barrel? It takes me a little over 1 min and thats being careful not to scratch or drop it. I cant see it taking any longer on a encore. I love my HR handi in 223. Nice heavy barrel and it is very accurate even being short. I havent ever got another barrel for it. I do have 3 barrels for my T/C, 223,30-30,45 lc and 410 all are the 14'' flavor. Gun shows are full of cheap barrels for the T/C.

[leben_sie_gut]

I have both, and oddly my H&R is more accurate.

Fit and finish is better on the Encore though, and it's purty, so that's up for grabs.

[DavidVanVorous]

Originally Posted by cslimfu

I have the super 14 T/C not the encore. 10 mins to swap a barrel? It takes me a little over 1 min and thats being careful not to scratch or drop it. I cant see it taking any longer on a encore. I love my HR handi in 223. Nice heavy barrel and it is very accurate even being short. I havent ever got another barrel for it. I do have 3 barrels for my T/C, 223,30-30,45 lc and 410 all are the 14'' flavor. Gun shows are full of cheap barrels for the T/C.

10 min includes the time to track down the barrel pin and/or fore screws when ya drop it in the dirt and have to clean it to use...

Regardless of how much time it takes to swap, the ease of swap and variety of calibrations is where the T/C shines AND it doesn't matter iffen the barrel is older or newer as the old frame take the new stuff and vice versa.

My collection is a tad more eclectic;
.222 (10)
.223 (10)
7mm TCU (10)
.30 Herrett (10 & 14" bull)
.357 Herrett (14")
.41 (10)
.44 mag (10)
.38/.357 w/ old style external snake widget (8)

D.

[bobbo27]

I have a handi rifle in .204, bought for $100 and I can shoot out the same hole at 100yd

I would not pack it anywhere, it's heavy. I wouldnt swap the barrel either, unless I could do it myself.

I have about $200 in the whole setup

[orvpark]

I have a Handi in .17HMR, bought it and sold the scope for nearly what I paid for the combo. A cheapo 4-16 power scope takes out squirrels at a couple hundred yards when the wind wants to play nice.

Even on a basically free to me gun, for the money I would (and probably will) buy another Handi the the extra caliber. These are working guns not works of art. Encores are art and you will likely end up with a collection of barrels and odd loadings.

If you handload and want a nice gun that is worth handing down go for the Encore with several barrels. If it will probably only see common ammo and you want something you won't cry over when it gets dropped or scratched up go for handi rifles.

H&R has that "survival" .308 that might be the ticket if you want a light easy to pack .308. Their "Superlight Compact" is even shorter/lighter but only .223 or .243.

[Roktoys84]

Originally Posted by bobbo27

I have a handi rifle in .204, bought for $100 and I can shoot out the same hole at 100yd

I would not pack it anywhere, it's heavy. I wouldnt swap the barrel either, unless I could do it myself.

I have about $200 in the whole setup

You can swap barrels yourself, new barrels just need to be factory fitted to your frame to check for headspacing and the like.

Sound like the Handi Rifle might be worth looking into. The accuracy comments are encouraging. Just so everybody knows Choate makes the Varmint and Survival stocks for H&R. They are available aftermarket for pretty cheap.

[toymoto]

I have a few of them and I think they are great rifles. I like the heft of the survivor and varmint models, it helps with the recoil. Accuracy is superb. I would not be inclined to swapping barrels. Hell for $250 just go buy a whole new rifle... it's what I do.

[Roktoys84]

I just remembered the Rossi break action rifles. They look very similar to the H&R rifles. Any one have any experience with these?

[Max Volume]

Originally Posted by toymoto

I have a few of them and I think they are great rifles. I like the heft of the survivor and varmint models, it helps with the recoil. Accuracy is superb. I would not be inclined to swapping barrels. Hell for $250 just go buy a whole new rifle... it's what I do.

Nice legs toymoto. I thought you would be shorter for some reason.

[toymoto]

Originally Posted by Max Volume

Nice legs toymoto. I thought you would be shorter for some reason.

Thanks. I shaved that day.

[aloharover]

fwiw the Rossi are really nice

[pb4u4x4]

Originally Posted by Roktoys84

I just remembered the Rossi break action rifles. They look very similar to the H&R rifles. Any one have any experience with these?

I bought the .22/.243/20ga combo for my daughter. Accuracy it good, (4) shots within the size of a 1/2 dollar piece. The problem is Braztech will not sell seperate barrels for it.

[wngrog]

The only problem I have with my H&R is that you cannot use heavy loads like those from Buffalo Bore because the action pops open.

I have a 45-70 and 38-55 and they work ok with Hornady stuff, but if you try the super hot loads the breach breaks open when you shoot. Not good.

I would get the TC if I had a do-over.

[admira]

The rifle itself will perform very well for varmints. Reloading speed will not be that great...afterall it is a single shot. If it is normal for you to shoot multiple targets in rapid succession I suggest you look into one of the AR-15 style varminters. Low recoil and exceptional accuracy from an autoloader. For most situations you won't need anthing more than a single shot though. I've used my T/C Encore for several years and have never had a coyote or woodchuck complain of it being too slow.
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[reddwarf]

Get the TC. You will hand it down to your kids