Are any of you familiar with this rifle??? I am looking to get a single shot rifle in .223. I expect to plink small varmints. I have been reading about the Ruger 1-V, HR Handi rifle and this 97D.

The 97D is quit a bit pricier. What do you all think?????

Thanks, Kent

Are any of you familiar with this rifle??? I am looking to get a single shot rifle in .223. I expect to plink small varmints. I have been reading about the Ruger 1-V, HR Handi rifle and this 97D.

The 97D is quit a bit pricier. What do you all think?????

Thanks, Kent

I've had my 97D in .300 BRM for about 5 years now, and I would not let it go. As short and light as a .30-30 leveraction -- and slimmer -- and superbly accurate. The .300 is essentially a blown-out .30-30, and can handle factory .30-30 ammo. With Remington factory 170 gr. loads, it will group 5 shots into about 1.25" at 100 yds. With tailored .300 BRM loads, it'll comfortably put 5 shots into around .70". A buddy has one in 6.5 BRM, and it, too, is a literal tackdriver. I only regret not going with a longer barrel. The max available was 26", and I chose 24". Those extra 2 inches wouldn't have compromised handling in the least, given the super-short action. It is one sweet deer rifle, and I've used it on whitetails from 25 to 275 yards with great success.

The only weakness of the design, IMO, is inherently weak extraction. There's just not enough leverage to handle a sticky case. The chambers are cut match-tight, and with these two factors you need to work up your loads very carefully. Odds are you'll have to stop a bit below max, but that's OK -- the accuracy will likely be superb. Understand, the action is plenty strong for loads at SAAMI max level, the problem comes with the extractor, and it's no problem at all if you're aware of it.

I note they now have some standard-production models on hand. When I bought mine they were all special-order, and I ended up waiting nearly a year and a half. But, the wait was worth it! Back then, the price for my custom was less than they're gettting for the standard production ones now.

I've had my 97D in .300 BRM for about 5 years now, and I would not let it go. As short and light as a .30-30 leveraction -- and slimmer -- and superbly accurate. The .300 is essentially a blown-out .30-30, and can handle factory .30-30 ammo. With Remington factory 170 gr. loads, it will group 5 shots into about 1.25" at 100 yds. With tailored .300 BRM loads, it'll comfortably put 5 shots into around .70". A buddy has one in 6.5 BRM, and it, too, is a literal tackdriver. I only regret not going with a longer barrel. The max available was 26", and I chose 24". Those extra 2 inches wouldn't have compromised handling in the least, given the super-short action. It is one sweet deer rifle, and I've used it on whitetails from 25 to 275 yards with great success.

The only weakness of the design, IMO, is inherently weak extraction. There's just not enough leverage to handle a sticky case. The chambers are cut match-tight, and with these two factors you need to work up your loads very carefully. Odds are you'll have to stop a bit below max, but that's OK -- the accuracy will likely be superb. Understand, the action is plenty strong for loads at SAAMI max level, the problem comes with the extractor, and it's no problem at all if you're aware of it.

I note they now have some standard-production models on hand. When I bought mine they were all special-order, and I ended up waiting nearly a year and a half. But, the wait was worth it! Back then, the price for my custom was less than they're gettting for the standard production ones now.


Thanks for the input

Kent

I'm also shopping for a single-shot and have considered the 97D but the opinions on this rifle have varied widely on other forums. I am interested in the 6.5BRM but the availability and price of brass is one concern, so I am leaning toward an Encore in .260 at this time, but I could be persuaded otherwise. If you are just looking at doing some plinking the Handi-Rifles are hard to beat. I've owned a bunch of them. Presently I have a .243 in the Youth Model that is my truck gun and my wife's varmint rifle. It's a bit small but it fits well in the storage compartment of our Kawasaki Mule and it is very accurate. Later on if you want it dressed up you could send it to Assassin (D and T Custom Guns) and let him trick it out.
I would like to know more about the 97Ds because I think they are a very attractive rifle, but the standard calibers are so exotic it takes some research to understand each one. I don't like A.E. Brown's catalog. Too cluttered and confusing. They need to simplify things and explain them better for us poor laymen.

I should add that the criticisms I've heard of the 97D are all concerning recent rifles. Evidently, say some, the barrel-making process has changed.

How about a Thompson/Center Encore?

Thanks for the info Sunday. I was going to go with a Ruger #1 if not the 97D. Since reading many of the post I'm now thinking about the Savage 10 Predator. I know this is a big jump but I think for my needs it is plenty of rifle and not as exotic or "pricey". thanks, Kent

A good buy for the money, I think. If I remember correctly it is limited to the number of available calibers, isn't it? By the way, my small varmint plinker is a .17HMR. It does all I need to do out to 175 yards with little noise or recoil.