some of you may have read the questions I had about my 223 barrel a few days ago. I finally got a chance to do some shooting. I couldn't be more happy with my little handi. I got the standard 223 barrel, as to me it is a semi heavy anyways, I don't see the need for the bull barrel. the only mods to the gun are, factory trigger job, i would guess it is around 4#'s now and an o-ring that floats the forearm. two range sessions today and saturday proved this gun shoots just about anything well except federal american eagle. It has shot 3 different types of factory ammo into MOA or less. white box winchester, blackhills 52gr SMK and ultramax 50grn BTip. I feel there are a couple things holding the gun back though and the first is myself, the trigger takes some getting used to and shooting the gun for that matter these shoot a little different than a bolt gun, it seems like it is easier to pull shots. I used an old weaver v9 scope, I am sure groups would shrink with more scope power. and if the triggers was better and around 2.5 pounds I am sure I could shoot .75 moa all day long. The last 4 groups I shot with ultramax ammo averaged .9 with one group that was affected by wind and I think the gun was slightly turned in the bags that scewed the average way up. best group of the day was .3 with a better trigger, more scope power, handloading, and some practice I think this combo could easily do .5 moa or less all day. I don't plan to reload for this gun as I bought it as a plinker I plan to use the ultramax ammo for shooting coyotes and whatever, and the cheaper black hills ammo for plinking. It even shoots both types of ammo to roughly the same POI. if any one is sitting on the fence about buying one of these I would suggest you get one. with a little research and a mod or two these things really shoot

I have to agree, I've got a Handi in 243 w/ a 357 mag barrel that I rechambered to 357 Max. Both shoot great. I've also got a Sportster in 22LR w/ a survivor stock that's just right for in the truck when I'm out at the ranch. I don't think you can beat the value of these little guns for hunting or just knocking around the pastures.