Project,BestApproach

[Strikenmike]

You people must get very tire of dealing with newbies.  However, I must tell you that this is the only place to get reliable information on NEF/H&R.  Some of you may recall that I was recently trying to deal with the dilemma of swapping barrels between deer hunting (slug) and 'yotes (223).  I got a lot of good ideas.  Ended up selling my 35 Whelen barrel to a member.  So now I have one receiver, one 20 gauge ultra slug barrel and one 223 bull-barrel.  I have worked on the 223 quite a bit over the past year and it shoots pretty well now.  So....NOW WHAT?

Leaning towards buying a whole new gun, maybe with a muzzle loader barrel, if they make one.  If I do that, will the factory fit my 223 barrel to the new receiver?  Do you think there is a realistic chance I could actually get the barrel to fit myself?  With this option I may still face the barrel-swapping dilemma once a year.

Another option would be to simply buy a new 223 and sell my existing 223 barrel or keep it as a backup, if I can't make the new one perform as hoped.

The only other obvious alternative that comes to mind is to try to buy a receiver, and go from there.  Seems like it would be more work.

What do you think?  Pros, Cons other ideas?

[quickdtoo]

Your question on a used barrel fitting a frame is answered in the sticky with that title, and barrel fitting is covered in the FAQs as well to see if you want to tackle it. H&R will fit a second hand barrel to your frame if they can as long as the frame qualifies for that barrel(see mfr year list in FAQs), but there's no guarantee since they aren't one size fits all, both frames and barrels vary in dimensions, if the underlug and latch shelf can be modified to fit, they'll do it just as they do new barrels, but they don't shim barrels which is the only way to fit a barrel that is too loose.

Tim

[Catshooter45]

You've got shotgun covered.  You've got small bore covered.  What you lack is as obvious as the nose on my face  . . . a 45-70!  C'mon, what are you thinking! 

If you shoot the 223 much then I would get a seperate frame as most barrels have to be sighted in when installed.

With those three calibers you've got a wide variety of shooting needs covered.  I had my 223 re-chambered to the 225 Winchester as I prefer a rim and it gave me a bit more power (60 grain Nosler Partition @ 3200).

There's only about a zillion choises, but the 45-70 does so much so well that it's a must have.  Round balls from 400 feet to 2800, all the way up to 550 at over 1700 feet, I mean yikes!  Mine will only do an inch and an eigth at 100 yards, !

Welcome to the disease, your fully infected I can tell.


Cat

[Strikenmike]

Tim I have read those pages dozens of times.  That does not mean I can fit a barrel properly.  By the way, I made an annual donation.  Money well spent.  To CAT, what am I going to do with a 45-70?  I just sold a 35 Whelen.  Retired so I must be pragmatic about this, being poor and all.

[quickdtoo]

Tim I have read those pages dozens of times.  That does not mean I can fit a barrel properly.  

That would be up to you, but my reply specifically answered your questions, and although you didn't ask, H&R does make Huntsman muzzleloader barrels, they have them in stock right now, .50 cal, 26" blued.

Whether you'll be able to fit a barrel is entirely up to you, it can always be done, but whether your patience an DIY skills are adequate is a variable no one but you can answer, but hundreds of others just like yourself have done it,  you won't know until you try.  

Tim

[jather]

any reason not to just pick up sb1/shotgun receiver & mount slug barrel to it? or better yet, buy complete used 12ga. to swap slug barrel with. used shotgun usually cheap, just be patient and do plenty of looking/shopping. then if you like something else you see, just buy whole gun and not have to worry about fitting/swapping, etc.

[gcrank1]

That idea of shotgun/slug combo is a good one (and the way Ive gone on one), and a muzzle loader barrel for it too wouldnt be bad at all.
My preference on the other side is the dedicated .223 (or whichever CF you like). Keep your eyes open for a complete rifle ready to go, then try your current barrel on it when you get one. If it fits then try both for accuracy and keep the one you like best (sell the other here).

[petemi]

Having been through the barrel program with H&R a couple of times, I think you're better off finding a good used firearm, keeping all of it, or selling off what you don't want.

Pete

[Strikenmike]

Good stuff, keep it coming.  Will any sb1 frame handle my 20 ga ultra-slug barrel?  I know I can look this up, but I will just ask y'all.  Does the muzzle loader barrel use the sb1 or sb2 frame?

[handirandy]

Tim,
What type of frame is required for a factory fit ML barrel?  BTW thanks for the wealth of info you and others are willing to share on this site.  I am relatively new to the site although I have been a H&R fan since about a hundred years ago.  Currently only own three but the three are quality in my book.  Sidekick - BC 45-70 - Sporster 17HMR.  Only complaint I have on any is the ramrod on the 'kick'.  Why they don't manufacture a barrel stud with a hole in it to accomidate the rod is a mystery to me. Have owned a 25-06 ultra and a topper 22 Hornet as well as shotguns in the past.  Let them go during stupid moments.  Can't undo it so . . .

[petemi]

The Huntsman can go on either.  Mine is on a SB1, but not for much longer.  I have no experience with the Ultra-Slug, so I can't tell you.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

Huntsman ML barrels can be fitted to SB1 rifle or shotgun frames as well as SB2 rifle frames. See the H&R Huntsman/Sidekick forum for more info on ramrods, Hubbard makes a great aftermarket rod.

Tim