Avid - I had one of those ugly H&R Handi Rifles in .223. And even with the bull barreled model I had it was still butt heavy. I never had any trouble with it but I did end up trading it in. But man could that rifle shoot. I took it to a public range one time and when I uncased it I could see the guys with their way more expensive rifles snickering at my <$200 piece of crap with the hardwood stock and barrel that was so rough it looked like it was finished with a bastard file.
I pulled the first target from the 100 yd range with the ragged 1/2" hole and one guy asked how many shots were in that group. When I told him about 10 or 12 no one was snickering anymore.
The handi rifle is one of those "don't judge a book by its cover" sort of things.