New Member, Please Help

[jason miller]

Alright, my first real gun was a Harrington and Richardson Topper 12g. shotgun.  I bought it for $35 when I was 11 years old, and shot my first deer with it the next fall.  Anyway, it's been sitting in the corner for several years now, and I just started wondering if I can put a rifle barrel on it.  It's a break action, similar to the Hand-Rifles, and I took it apart yesterday just to see how it works.  All I had to do was unscrew the forearm, pull it away from the barrel, and pull the barrel off of the hinge on the action.  Anyone know if I can put a Handi barrel on it?  Also, if I can, does anyone know where I can find one in .22 Hornet?  Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome Jason! Shotgun SB1 frames made since 1987 can be fitted with muzzleloader barrels and most other shotgun barrels only, rifle barrels required a rifle SB2 frame, check out the FAQs and Help sticky, it has that info and a whole lot more including year of manufacture on your shotgun.

Tim

[jason miller]

Alright, so a rifle barrel would fit but the frame's not designed for the pressures?  Even a Hornet?  I realize that you can't legally tell me yes or no, but did I see that some of these old frames came with 30-30 barrels?  Is a Hornet higher pressure than a 30-30?

[quickdtoo]

I wouldn't recommend it, it's not worth loosing life or limb trying to save a few bucks, see what happened to Dieselbuilder's old shotgun with a rifle barrel on it in the FAQs. Even the  Hornet operates at over 43,000psi, shotgun max pressures are just 14,000psi.

Tim

[jason miller]

Yeah, I saw that just a minute ago.  I was just thinking that since his frame was about 50 years older and not even the current design, and it was a .223 instead of a Hornet, that what I'm proposing wouldn't even be in the same realm.  I was just trying to find a way to bring new life to the Topper.  I'll never shoot it as a shotgun, and I've always wanted a Hornet.  Thought maybe I could kill two birds with one stone.  Anyway, unless someone has evidence that it'd probably be ok, I'll just put the Topper back in the corner and forget about it for another decade.  By the way, this is a late 80's-early 90's model with what appears to be case hardening, if that matters...

[quickdtoo]

Any frame with a single letter prefix serial number is cast iron, same as the 1940s frame. Case hardened cast iron frames have little strength compared to modern investment cast alloy which the 1999 and later SB2 frames are made. Be smart, be safe, a used SB2 rifle can be had for $120 and up, a frame for $75-$100.

Tim

[jason miller]

Alright, thanks for the help.  Two more things though, if you don't mind:  First, should I not be shooting 3" magnum slugs out of this gun?  I probably put 5-6 boxes of them through it in preparation for my first deer season... Secondly, where could I find a used current model rifle or receiver?  That is, other than here.

[quickdtoo]

Frames can be bought used where ever you find them, the NEF Classifieds is the best place, no one sells them new. If the barrel isn't marked as to what the chamber size is, you should have a gunsmith check it or call H&R and ask, they'll want the serial number, although if it was made before 1987, they won't tell you anything. You might post on the NEF shotgun forum about it. If it's made for 2¾" only, shooting 3" in it would be hazardous to your health and the gun as well.

Tim

[jason miller]

It says 3" on the barrel, I was just remembering how hard those slugs kicked and thinking that if the receiver's not even designed to take a Hornet, that a high brass slug might not be good for it either...

[quickdtoo]

Shotgun pressures are minuscule compared to rifle pressures, the 3" 12ga has a SAAMI MAP of 11,500psi, the frames also have a large firing pin and hole for it in the frame, that exacerbates the issue with higher pressure rifle primers. Slugs operate at the same pressure as shot, the frame strength has nothing to do with recoil, it's the pressures generated inside the cartridge that's the issue.

Tim

http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellk.htm

[jason miller]

Sir, you are a wealth of knowledge.  Thanks for the link, that's an interesting chart.  I never realized shotgun pressures were that low...  Thanks for taking the time to answer all of my questions.

[xsilver03x]

I would not even think of putting a 3inch mag in mine, I hate have'n to pick my shoulder up off of the ground withthe little 2 3/4.  I bought my grand father a marlin 200 many years ago and after he passed away I got it back now it is my turkey and grouse gun.  Even with a slip on recoil pad that thing still kicks like a mule.  But it is fun to shoot!