Looked at at getting my son-in-law a 30-06 single shot rifle for x-mas one with open sights and drilled for a scope mount.He`s stationed at Camp LeJune since he got back from Iraq .My local gunsmith sells a lot of the H&R and NEF HANDI-RIFLES I looked at what he had in stock a 45/70 ,a 7mm08 and a 243.Son-in-law is set on a 30-06.I liked the fit and finish of the H&R and the NEF,he had a Rossi 30-06 single shot in stock for a little less money ,didn`t like the rear sight on it but the gunsmith said it was just as good as the NEF ,is he right?I had a old H&R 10 ga. single barrel ,best turkey gun I ever owned ,even camo`ed it myself with some flat gray and tan and black paint and some fern leaves,Looked good till some S.O.B BROKE IN THE HOUSE and stole it and my TC Encore 30-06 stainless rifle with custom camo paint done by the same guy who done Jules 280 Rem.I don`t know anything about a Rossi at all any body know anything about them good buy, bad buy?Or should I order him the NEF?

Just based on handling the various rifles, I've found the fit/finish and overall quality of the NEF to be much better than the Rossi single shots. Based on that, I'd spring for the NEF, extra money likely well spent.

I haven't shot either brand of rifle so caveat emptor.

Go over to Graybeard Outdoors, there's an NEF/H&R Centerfire forum and a Rossi forum for you to check out....

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/index.php?sid=b...0ae551fcbc6946991732

I have a Rossi .223 Heavy Barrel SS with a 10 inch sound moderator. It's certainly a heavy barrel! The finish is fine for a field gun and after over 1000 rounds it still locks up tight. It shoots 3/4 inch groups using 50 grain Speer spitzers. I use it for shooting foxes and shoot off of sticks or seated. In fact due to the UK firearms laws I am only allowed to shoot foxes with it and should I choose to shoot a rabbit with it I would be in breach of the conditions of my licence.

Having handled both, they are nearly identical. However, the sights on the Rossi are wretched, and the fit and finish is not quite as good as the NEF rifles. Plus, the NEF guns are made in the USA, and NEF has the barrel accesory program. I have a Handi-rifle with .243 and .45-70 barrels, and both of them shoot really nice. I'm thinking of getting a .22 Hornet barrel. I'd go with the NEF every time.

Thanks Guys for your help,I went to my local gunshop and done some hoss-trading with my old football coach who works there part-time since he`s retired and got him a NEF Handi-rifle in 45/70.Its got good steel open sights and like ya`ll said better fit and finish than the Rossi,at least to me.Coach even threw in a box of Remington 300gr. ammo with the 45/70 to get my son-in-law started.I will look at getting him a 30-06 barrel he wants later.The old 45/70 should handle anything he can hunt up there in Camp LeJune N.C. thanks Amra

quote:

Originally posted by kjjm4:
Having handled both, they are nearly identical. However, the sights on the Rossi are wretched, and the fit and finish is not quite as good as the NEF rifles. Plus, the NEF guns are made in the USA, and NEF has the barrel accesory program. I have a Handi-rifle with .243 and .45-70 barrels, and both of them shoot really nice. I'm thinking of getting a .22 Hornet barrel. I'd go with the NEF every time.

I used to have the granpere of the NEF, the Savage 219, with barrels in .30-30, .22 Hornet, and .410 shotgun. Based on that experience, please let me recommend that in addition to the Hornet barrel, you consider getting a 20, 28 or .410 shotgun barrel too. Then you'd have a 4-barrel set which wold be fit for almost anything. I caried mine all the time in my truck when I lived in northern Canada, and it put lots of meat from grouse to moose on the table.

AMRA,
I think he'll like it, put a 1.5x4.5 scope on it and he'll be set. I got one for my son a few years ago, he now has 5 barrels, 45-70, 270, 50 cal muzzle loader, 12 Ga slug (Very Accurate!!!) and a 20 Ga smooth bore. About the only thing he can't hunt would be large , dangerous game. The barrel program is a great deal.

NEFs are ugly, rough and not very nice to look at, but they will consistantly outshoot plenty of $500+ rifles.

You can't go wrong.

-Spencer

AMRA, the Rossis are probably not too bad. BUT, I think the NEF was a better choice.

BTW, the SB-2 NEF can handle most of the +P .45-70 like those loaded by Buffalo Bore and Garrett.

With these Magnum .45-70s, he would only be a bit undergunned if he plans to hunt Tyrannosauridae! But, don't think they have many of those in NC nowadays!

Buffalo Bore Ammo

Garrett Cartridges

NEF/H&R1871. I have two, plan to get more.

ZM