Author Topic: True Custom Handi Barrels . . . . (Read 3855 times)

Fred McIntire · « **on:** August 13, 2011, 06:49:53 AM »

So, I purchased a Glock 36, .45 ACP the other day. When I met the guy to make the purchase, I found out that he's an Army combat veteran who suffered disabling combat injuries in Iraq. He also just finished gunsmithing school ! ! He has a complete shop including a lathe, chamber reamers, throaters, so forth and so on.

So, we got to talking about custom AR-15 gun building, custom barrels, etc., etc., .............. Then the conversation turned to the Handi Rifle. After a long conversation about different calibers and chamberings, and whether expensive barrel blanks outshoot economy barrel blanks, by the way they don't necessarily, we left it at getting together to build a true custom Handi rifle barrel !

So, I'm trying to decide what the first venture should be. A popular chambering no longer offered by H&R, or another great caliber never before offered by H&R for the Handi Rifle, like 7x30 Waters, .257 Roberts . . . .

Give me your input here guys ...................

LONGTOM · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:55:42 AM »

Either would be great along with a host of others!
25-35?
50 caliber something 70,90,110,140 Yes, 50-140 express!!!
Would love a long barrel 50-140.

LONGTOM

Junior1942 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2011, 07:09:00 AM »

A 30-30 with Ballard rifling and 1 in 12 twist. You could sell all you could make.

dave29 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2011, 07:16:00 AM »

Go for the Waters, I have always wanted one.

Dinny · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2011, 07:30:20 AM »

The "Bob" is hard to beat. Just ask Fred.

Thanks, Dinny

watsisname · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2011, 08:10:39 AM »

.303 british. Nice rimmed, tapered case and I would love one espescially with an ejector.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2011, 09:10:41 AM »

I just wrote three paragraphs... Of the reasons the Waters shold get more respect. How it was come into being and what it has done for me... Its gone... GBO site not responding....
GRRRR I hope this isn't beginning AGAIN!

Long story short, I choose the 7-30.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2011, 10:40:45 AM »

The .257 Rob or the P.O. Ackley improved version would be seriously hard to beat...

Tony

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2011, 10:45:26 AM »

Twenty five - thirty five or a two nineteen Zipper! Total class.

Cat

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2011, 11:07:39 AM »

Other than limited platform strength, pretty much any non-magnum chambering is suitable, pretty much up to your imagination, I have a 6.5x55 stub done on a Shilen match blank, as well as a few rebores, 6x45(223), 260 Rem(243), 338-06 A-Square(25-06) and 405 Winchester(38-55), plus a bunch of rechambers, 221 Fireball(Hornet), 6mm Ackley(243), 270AI, 280 Improved, 30-30AI, 357 Maxi, 35 Rem(357mag>Max), 35 Whelen Improved, 445 Supermag(44mag), 460 S&W(45Colt) and 45-120(45-70), the sky's the limit, put him to work!!

Tim

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2011, 01:36:40 PM »

I have a 7-30 Waters done on a 223 barrel that is fantastic, 25-35 would be great as would the 257 Roberts. I have 2 bolt actions barreled in the Roberts, it doesn't give up much in a 22" barrel to the 25-06, now have 3 7-30's, a real over acheiver, and need to find a 25-35. DP

jw1044 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2011, 02:10:20 PM »

Don't forget the old faithful 7x57.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2011, 02:20:06 PM »

Fred,

I think this thread illustrates why GBO/Handi folks will never be able to put together an order with H&R/Rem for custom barrels.

Just look at your collection and see what you are missing that you can't easily purchase.

BB

thejanitor · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2011, 02:26:42 PM »

Quote from: bikerbeans on August 13, 2011, 02:20:06 PM

Fred,

I think this thread illustrates why GBO/Handi folks will never be able to put together an order with H&R/Rem for custom barrels. Just look at your collection and see what you are missing that you can't easily purchase.

BB

+1 on that. Just treat your new smith friend well and maybe we can keep him busy with his new career.

thejanitor

carbineman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2011, 04:19:18 PM »

I like the 7-30 Waters as well.

tallyho · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2011, 09:35:37 PM »

I had a 7-30 Waters TC Carbine years ago, and would love one in a Handi!

Jason F · « **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2011, 09:37:44 AM »

I couldn't wait for a 7-30 any longer so I picked one up for my contender carbine,if he starts making handi barrels I guess I will have to buy one and sell the tc

Urny · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2011, 04:30:45 AM »

These all sound like good ideas, but I would choose the .250/3000, and have it marked that way. .250 Savage indeed.

If your new gunsmith friend does really start making custom Handi barrels, I would likely be in the que for just such a .250/3000. And 219 Zipper, and .25-20, and .25/35, and 8X57R, and .......

tobster · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2011, 04:44:35 AM »

Make mine 25-20.

silver surfer · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2011, 11:53:24 AM »

A .303 Brit would fit a Handi Platform like a glove, a 25 in. 5 groove left hand twist would be a killer all around rifle in a classic cartridge.

canon6 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 15, 2011, 02:59:06 PM »

6.5x30-30 would be as fine as frogs hair. Doug

tallyho · « **Reply #21 on:** August 15, 2011, 03:48:57 PM »

Quote from: canon6 on August 15, 2011, 02:59:06 PM

6.5x30-30 would be as fine as frogs hair. Doug

oooooooo

That's a good one!

45-70.gov · « **Reply #22 on:** August 15, 2011, 05:12:03 PM »

Quote from: Fred McIntire on August 13, 2011, 06:49:53 AM

So, I purchased a Glock 36, .45 ACP the other day. When I met the guy to make the purchase, I found out that he's an Army combat veteran who suffered disabling combat injuries in Iraq. He also just finished gunsmithing school ! ! He has a complete shop including a lathe, chamber reamers, throaters, so forth and so on.

So, we got to talking about custom AR-15 gun building, custom barrels, etc., etc., .............. Then the conversation turned to the Handi Rifle. After a long conversation about different calibers and chamberings, and whether expensive barrel blanks outshoot economy barrel blanks, by the way they don't necessarily, we left it at getting together to build a true custom Handi rifle barrel !

So, I'm trying to decide what the first venture should be. A popular chambering no longer offered by H&R, or another great caliber never before offered by H&R for the Handi Rifle, like 7x30 Waters, .257 Roberts . . . .

Give me your input here guys ...................

how about a scoped 45ACP with thumbhole stock and 2 to 7 scope

i6 inch if you want it real handi.......20 to 22 if you want it real quiet

to go with that glock you just got..........use the spare glock clips as a ''handdi speedfeed''

manatee1947 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 15, 2011, 05:31:04 PM »

I think that the main thing would be the creation of unchambered blanks, if he could get the barrel lug, temper etc right. Then I would look at "families" of cartridges. The 219 Zipper-25/35- 7X30- 30/30-357 Herrett- 38/55(375 Win). The 243/260/7-08/308/338 federal/358 win. Or you could go by bore size - say a 25/20, 25/35, 250/3000, 257 Roberts, and 25/06. I would love to have any of those series.

dave29 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 16, 2011, 02:07:08 AM »

Quote from: canon6 on August 15, 2011, 02:59:06 PM

6.5x30-30 would be as fine as frogs hair. Doug

6.5x30-30 Improved

Antietamgw · « **Reply #25 on:** August 16, 2011, 02:57:08 AM »

If you like the Roberts, 7X57, make yourself up the rimmed version. You can buy 7X57R brass from Huntington's or make it from .444 brass. No different than a standard chamber - use a standard rimless reamer, cut to normal depth, then cut the rim recess. Modify the extractor by cutting a rim recess or just use a factory one from a .44 Mag. I did this with a couple 7X57 Rolling Blocks some years back, setting the barrel back and cutting a new chamber. Worked well. I understand some of the Contender guys do this as well. Makes sense, real cartridges have rims

gstewart44 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 16, 2011, 03:32:52 AM »

Quote from: silver surfer on August 15, 2011, 11:53:24 AM

A .303 Brit would fit a Handi Platform like a glove, a 25 in. 5 groove left hand twist would be a killer all around rifle in a classic cartridge.

+1

guzzijohn · « **Reply #27 on:** August 16, 2011, 03:58:02 AM »

.219 Donaldson-Wasp. Rimmed, accurate, economical if you reload and capable of 3,600fps. with very mild recoil.
GuzziJohn

ham7777 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 16, 2011, 04:08:32 AM »

My vote is the 7X57.

Tom

Rodland · « **Reply #29 on:** August 16, 2011, 07:10:33 AM »

Quote from: Antietamgw on August 16, 2011, 02:57:08 AM

,^{_{real cartridges have rims}}

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I must agree with that statement, and put me down for a 38-55