Author Topic: Words from the Oracle (Read 2447 times)

Wild Bill 442 · « **on:** February 11, 2005, 04:33:33 AM »

My name is Bill. I am a Handi-holic. I have been afflicted for 5 months. My last fix was a double dip. I splurged on a 204 Ruger Handi and a 17HMR Sportster in a three day period two weeks ago. I bought a Youth Synthetic Handi in 243 back in the fall and had it fitted with 28ga and Hornet barrels for my 11 year old nephew. Somehow I got addicted in that process.

My intent is to fit 20ga. Ultra slug, 50 cal Huntsman and 28 and 16 ga smoothbore barrels to my SB2 frame. Thus my call to the Oracle, (H&R Customer Service). I was advised of the following, some of which I had not seen herein:

- Vent Rib/choke tube barrels a la Topper Deluxe should be available in the barrel program late spring (May-June)
- 500 S&W barrels are likewise due then.
- 22/250 and 7.62x39 barrels are shipping.
- 303 Brit and 7.62x54 are being discussed, if not already in the pipeline.
- I plugged the 17 Rem for my friends over at Coyote Gods, and was told that the Marlin management team was in the H&R offices today, doing a review. The customer service guy gave me the impression they listen to the folks that talk to us, at least to get ideas.

Now my only dilemma is whether to wait 8-10 weeks before sending of my frame for fitting or do it in 2 steps. Having the 204 in hand for another month or two will likely win out over having the smokepole and slug slinger earlier to prep for next fall.

One last note. I have it so bad I built a barrel rack the other night with spaces for 12 barrels. It looks great on the wall. I'm just worried I might actually fill it up.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2005, 05:09:48 AM »

And I thought I had it bad.....

Welcome Aboard..

..the cartridges that are in the pipe-line are interesting...While I'm not a fan of the Russian 7.62 x 53Rmm...I do like the 303 British round...and I'm glad they are thinking about making one... Thanks for the info...

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2005, 05:48:31 AM »

Welcome aboard!

Hmmm, De41Mag just contacted them last week to find out about his 7.62x39 barrel order, and they told him they wouldn't ship until this summer! So he had em return his frame with no barrel....Very conflicting info coming from H&R lately.....

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=54360&highlight=7+62x39

Ed in AL · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2005, 06:19:10 AM »

I got an email from customer service on 2/3/05 stating that the 12 ga. vent rib Topper Deluxe Classic barrel (#S03213) sells for $77.50 and is IN stock.

I had asked about the availability of several different barrels and threw that one in just in case. They said the 20 ga. was on down the road, but the 12 ga. is there now. Who do you believe?

MSP Ret · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2005, 01:39:42 AM »

C.S. is pretty good at times and I have not been known to knock them but there are inconsistant answers coming from them, and more than occasionally. In the past I have advocated calling and then calling again if you did not get the answer you wanted and speaking to a different person. Well, a few days ago I called and inquired about a long Mannlicher forearm and was advised they had none left. Yesterday tanoose called and was told they had about 60 in left in stock, the stock # was H0330 and the cost was $30.00 plus shipping!!! You never know what they will say or answer, even to the same question!!!....<><.... :shock:

Deadeye47 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2005, 03:37:26 AM »

it's a crap shoot...some days ya get the CS person they hired from the personnel pool for the day... :roll: :roll:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2005, 05:52:50 AM »

Quote from: MSP Ret

.... stock # was H0330 and the cost was $30.00 plus shipping!!! You never know what they will say or answer, even to the same question!!!....<><.... :shock:

I just called em and ordered one, she said the number is F0330 and that lots of people has been calling, but didn't know how many were left...

FWIW! :-D

MSP Ret · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2005, 09:05:47 AM »

What a place, To know it is to love it!!! I just called and ordered a Mannlicher stock (I think!) they took the order only because I said you had just ordered one, the number this CS person has was S0330, and the price of $26.30!!! But it showed none in stock and that none had been ordered in a couple of years!!! Anyway I was asked how much and I said $30.00 so the order was put through (at $30.00). If they have one I get it, if not I don't. I was told perhaps "Jennifer" knows about them and that if there is anything of anything left in the stock room that "Jennifer" was the one that would know...Also some nice talk about how busy they were and how much there sales had increased, they must be doing something right.
About my smooth walnut stocks on my brand new TDC...I was told it was simply a matter of how that run of guns was ordered and they could be special ordered in batches of 50 or more by a distributor with special features, like smooth or checkered stocks. Perhaps we could get 50 forum members and friends together and order a special run of 50 with our "handiholics anonymous" medallion in the camo laminate or walnut checkered stock!!! I think we might be able to persuade Raynor to order them for us if we paid the money up front. We would have to agree on caliber, barrel length and configuration, sights or no sights, SS or blued, Laminate or walnut, checkered or smooth, Medallion or no medallion, recoil pad or not, Monte Carlo or straight, boy this could get difficult!!! OK hows this, Walnut checkered buttstock, long walnut checkered BC schnabel style forearm, ss or polish blue receiver/barrel or combo. one of each finish. ss receiver, blued barrel or vica versa, perhaps a special run of 7x57 or a .280 in a 28" standard taper barrel? Iron sights of course but drilled and tapped for a scope rail also. That will start it off, any suggestions or requests? Perhaps a combo with a matching .35 Whelen Ultra barrel.....<><.... :grin:

turkeyhunter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2005, 09:16:21 AM »

MSP Ret, you sure do have way of starting things off. You have me drooling now thinking about this kind of a set up. Oh what the heck, I would be willing to put my name in the hat for one set up just like you suggested. I love both the 7X57 and the .280 and have taken many deer with both. I have never shot the 35 Whelen so I am intrigued enough to get one.

Thanks Andy, for contributing to the deliquency of a handiholic!

I'm sure my wife will love you for it!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2005, 09:20:11 AM »

Hmmm, perhaps there is a communication problem S=F??? When I first spoke, I asked to order a mannlicher stock...she just asked for my name as she new exactly what I wanted! After giving her all the shipping, billing info, I confirmed the part number just to be sure....F0330, and she said yes, that's the one....so if your person looked up S0330, it may not show as available or ever ordered or visa versa....just a guess as to what's going on....OR....they really are totally out of em and no one will get one!! :eek:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2005, 09:24:03 AM »

The 50 gun custom order sounds like a good idea, but I've been involved with group buys before, they seldom pan out as everyone doesn't want exactly the same options....and to get 50 buyers is going to be tough in itself....but I'm in for what ever we can agree on....7x57 sounds good to me! .280??? Already have one, but what does that have ta do with it!! :-D

MSP Ret · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2005, 09:35:15 AM »

I'm with you quick, I have one of each myself AND a .35 Whelen but I was trying to think of the best caliber out there with exception of the 45-70 :-D ....<><.... :grin:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2005, 09:42:06 AM »

The 35 Whelen showed up on the wish list a bunch, too.....I'd go for it too, every Handi-holic should have at least one of every caliber H&R ever made!

Varminter · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2005, 10:10:31 AM »

I'm up for it. If this can get put together. I would prefer a camo laminated stock but all the calibers sound fine to me. But i would like to add one............7-30 waters. It would be great to have our own medallion in the stock.
Some body better design one.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2005, 10:29:27 AM »

How about a depiction of the 3 monkeys, hear no evil, see no evil, say no evil, if that not acceptable, how about a picture of the 3 Stooges :-D!!!....<><.... :grin:

Varminter · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2005, 10:46:39 AM »

do you think this could ever come together?

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2005, 11:01:21 AM »

I second the 7-30 Waters.

A 6.5x55 or a 7x57 would be nice but a rimmed cartridge would be better.

A 7.62x54 would be nice but only if the bore is correct.

Wild Bill 442 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2005, 04:26:33 PM »

It is clear I will need professional help, likely of both the financial and addiction resolution kinds.

I went ahead and sent in my SB2 for the four barrels originally planned as noted at the top of this thread. Now you guys are talking about a custom order, medallion identified, symbolic token of this affliction. Ring the cash register, I can't stop myself!

I love the medallion idea. Some guys I did a trout fishing trip with for ten years pencilled one up and sent it off to a clothing logo mail-order shop. Every couple of years, we'd all order shirts, hats, sweats, beach carry bags,.... It was great. There's gotta be somebody with an artistic hand in the group.

As for the rifle, if its got a "Handiholics" medallion or logo, tell me where to send the check. I prefer camo laminate, iron sights plus drilled and tapped, schnabel forend. I am a sucker for case-colors, but think polished blue is more pragmatic. Caliber?... I'm in for the symbolism, not to fill a hole in my line-up. I'll take the group preference.

Chainsaw · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2005, 06:17:43 PM »

I agree with riddle of steel in that a rimmed cartridge would be better/best. The 225 Winchester 7-30 Waters or 307 Winchester would be my choice. The 303 British does not have many bullets weights to choose from and nothing from Barnes is available in .311 dia.

Any other rimmed idaes out there possiblt the Krag?........Chainsaw

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2005, 01:30:58 AM »

Sounds good to me . Count me in on whatever cal & config I could use another one even at retail price :grin:

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2005, 02:08:37 AM »

Despite the luke warm reception of the American shooting public the 7-30 Waters is a fine cartridge in specialized applications like top break single shots and old lever actions. I was loading T/C Carbine with 7mm 120 grain Sierra bullets and having no trouble at all pushing them to 2700 FPS. This seems pretty spectacular, especially when you remember the chamber pressure is less than 40,000 PSI. About the worst thing I could say about the 7-30 is that its tapered, rimmed cases grow like weeds under heavy pounding and keeping an eye on case length is advised. On the other hand the supply of 30-30 cases to form brass from is virtually unlimited.

Speaking of rimmed cartridges.......I was studying some old reloading records of mine and I noticed some data for a Ruger Number 1 in 30-40 Kraig. As you guys know this is a rimmed cartridge. It could use the very common .30 barrel and would have very positive extraction. My rememberances of this rifle and cartridge are very positive. Looking back at the old chrono data the 30-40 Kraig performs about the same as a rimmed .307 chambered rifle would. However, the older Kraig works at chamber pressures around 40,000 PSI rather than the 50,000 PSI the .307 was designed for. All this rounds up to make the 30-40 Kraig a very desirable cartridge for the Handi-rifle in my opinion. A 150 grain .30 bullet at 2600 FPS would be potent deer medicine and would be kind to the Handi frame.

Put in a vote for the 30-40 Kraig and the 7-30 Waters for me.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2005, 03:57:28 AM »

The 30-40 Krag sounds nice. What would a 30-40 Krag necked down to a 7mm be? Perhaps a 30-40x7mm? How about a 30-40x7mm AI!!! If your going to try something why not this...Perhaps Fred M could jump in here and offer some words of wisdom. I have to say, this was a spurt of typing, not of rational thinking....<><.... :grin: :-D :roll:

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2005, 05:08:16 AM »

I think the medallion is the important thing :grin: . Each of us has a favorite caliber or a caliber we "want", so that is the tough part. Why not work out a medallion and the stock question then put all the calibers H&R makes in a hat and draw (or have a vote of the "committed" buyers and the winning caliber/guage :grin: is chosen.)

Mac11700 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2005, 05:23:23 AM »

The medallion wouldn't be that hard for them to do...even if you didn't want a specific gun...the could just make the stock set

Mac

redneckd1 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2005, 05:33:05 AM »

Just about any decent trophy shop could do the medallion, you could just send them your stock and have it etched into the wood...maybe even at a good discount for a mass order. Just an idea.

R

MSP Ret · « **Reply #25 on:** February 16, 2005, 05:33:07 AM »

I thinks we should run this by Raynor first. If he does not want to get involved perhaps he can point us in the right direction or check with his distributor and provide us with information that would be helpful. It may be a big imposition on him and I hate spring it on him but we have to start somewhere and he may have the information or knowledge that could help us. If he was able to help us I for one want him to make a profit on each and every gun. I do not expect him to do this for nothing!!! ....<><.... :grin:

Hopefully not to much profit, but then again $20.00 a gun is $1,000.00.. :-D :-D :-D

How about it Raynor, anything you could add or help us out with here, what should we do and how might we proceed? Would you be interested if you got deposits up front from each buyer? I believe it might turn into one big headache, but what is life without headaches anyway...

Another option is to get commitments and then go to "Dicks" or a chain like that...

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2005, 05:41:45 AM »

Now there's something I could get my teeth into. A GBO Handi-haulics Anonymous commemorative stock set. One could put that on any frame they have and without all the caliber discussion. Put me in for 2.

Ian

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2005, 06:38:28 AM »

I had all but forgotten the 7mm STE and I guess the rest of the shooting public had as well. It would be a great Handi-rifle cartridge. However, I cann't think of a current 7mm Handi-rifle barrel that would be suitable or easy to modifiy to 7mm STE.
The problem here is that I doubt we will ever get H&R to produce such a low budget rifle in a wildcat caliber and as of yet there is no source of cost efficent aftermarket barrels for them. If a gun smith or company put out a multi caliber line of H&R/NEF barrels I am sure they would get quite a bit of business provided the price was right.
Back to the real world...I don't think it would be much of an act of congress to get H&R to produce a barrel or complete rifle in standard cartridge even if it were a semi obsolete one. H&R's interest in the Buffalo Classic shows me that they will respond to nostalgia with historical products with financial motivation.

As far as the medallion....What we need is to get a die company to cut a stamping die so we can strike a big coin like a Mardi Gras coin out of brass or aluminium.
kinda like these;

http://www.maxmedals.com/medals/custommedals/diestruck.html#price

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 16, 2005, 07:36:25 AM »

???444 MARLIN, they aare the parent co.

cool medallions this is going to get out of control :eek: :-D :-D :-D :-D :eek:

Wild Bill 442 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 16, 2005, 08:07:46 AM »

I don't mean to clutter up the medaillion rifle talk, but the discussion on rimmed cartridges has me thinking. Would it be possible to build a 219 Zipper (or D-Wasp) easily? Its 30/30 except neck, throat and bore.