I own one in .223 and a 12 Ga. USH and will put either one against anything you can even buy used for what I have in mine new and I bet it'll shoot the pants off any competition you can find at that price ($340 w/optics for the .223, and $270 w/optics for the USH).

i own 2 mayself, took the buck in my avatar with my huntsman.

I'm crazy for the Handi-H&R! I originally bought mine in 270 and have expanded my barrel/caliber collection to: 12 gauge slug, 20 gauge Ultra slug, 22 Hornet, .223, 45/70 Govt. & .50 cal muzzleloader.
I use a variety of different scopes on mine and every one is accurate and stable.
Try looking at Greybeards web page or Graybeards Outdoors for other Handi fanatics.

I have 5, 2 rifled and 3shotguns. I'ved owned my 22 hornet since 1996 and have killed a lot of ground hogs with it . AWESOME weapons for hunting and just shootting. Have used shotguns for turkeys, doves, squirrels, and other critters around the farm. Can't beat the price. I love mine and so do my girls.

I bought a NEF bull barrel 223 for my son's to start deer hunting with. They are pretty crude compared to an Encore, and the blueing is thin. The triggers are terrible, but they ARE plenty accurate. For a "beater" gun, I can't think of a better specimen.