rechambering a handi

[Larry R]

i was just wondering what it would cost to have one done? would it be cheaper just to order a new barrel?

[JPH45]

From what to what? All depends on this.

[Larry R]

lets just say from a .270 to a 7mm 08 ?

[.308]

lets just say from a .270 to a 7mm 08 ?

Don't think you can go from 270 to 7/08. Chamber wouldn't clean up. But if you could I think it would be less expensive to buy another barrel than to rechamber and rebore. You can get a whole nother barrel for around 80 bucks then add fitting and shipping for another 25 or a little over a $100. And you gotta add what it cost to send your receiver to NEF. I sent one today, cost about $14 including insurance.

[Datil]

I am having a 223 to 25-35 it going to cost a little over 300$.
 But I want a single shot 25-35 Then I be a happy old dog.
 Had 22 hornett recamber to 219 zipper cost a bout 100$
 Not worth unless you just want some caliber.
 Marv.

[trotterlg]

I'm having a .17 MACH2 done to .17 remington and it is costing me $160.00 with the chamber, a new barrel contour and re-blue.  Larry

[Fred M]

lets just say from a .270 to a 7mm 08 ?

Can't be done, can't make a 270 chamber shorter in a Handi.

Unless you have a real dog for a barrel, there is no need for reboring and rechambering, unless you want something special. Just get another barrel from H&R. The two pistol calibers 357 and the 44mag are the exception.

On the smaller bores where you have all the best choices of modern calibers, why would you want to rechamber? If the barrel does not shoot in the original caliber it may not shoot any better with a new chamber.

[trotterlg]

If you want something different try staying with the same bore and just re-chamber it to a larger chamber.  The 17's look good for this so I am trying one to see.  You could also do a .223 to 22-250 and have a fast twist 22-250 to shoot heavier bullets out of, or chamber a 7.62X39 to 7.62X54R.  There are a lot of things you can do, just look at the chamber sizes and the bores and see what will work.  Larry

[Mac11700]

i was just wondering what it would cost to have one done? would it be cheaper just to order a new barrel?

 

lets just say from a .270 to a 7mm 08 ?

 
First off...unless you have the "got to have it's" very bad..it is much cheaper to buy another barrel and have it fitted and a trigger job done by NEF than it would be to rebore/rechamber an existing Handi barrel.
 
If the "gotta have it at any cost " is making you nuts...then look to getting a 25-06 barrel and rechamber and rebore it to 270.This way..your going to have the full advantage of the 26" barrel for the extra velocity you will gain.To have it done by a top-notch gunsmith/barrel builder..will cost from $300 all the way up to $550 depending on who does the work for you.This is my next project I have scheduled,and will be having Wayne at   http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eoregunsmithing/index.html do the work for me.He has done a few members rifles this year...he did 2 for quickdtoo that I know of...a 338-06 from a 26" 25-06 barrel...and a 405 Winchester from a 28"  38-55 Target.He also did my 338-06...here it is..
 

 

 

You could also have a nice 257 done up like Fred did...octagon barrel and all...it certainly is a sweet looking rifle too...If memory serves me correctly...he re did a 24" 223 bull barrel...


Accuracy is excellent not only with the Weatherby factory 210 Nosler partition load in my 338-06...but with select hand loads as well,and will take anything I could ever want to hunt.I am most pleased with mine and the performance I get out of it.Was it worth the cost...absolutely...and I can honestly say Wayne does a excellent job,in a timely manner,for a fair price.
 
If you have the money...amazing things are possible...and Fred is correct in saying if it's not a good shooter to begin with,most likely it won't be a good shooter afterwards.Most good gunsmiths/barrel builders will tell you this,before you agree on a price.
 
If you have a penchant for something special,or different,don't be afraid to call him and ask...he will tell you what work in the Handi's and what won't.
 
Mac

[tom barthel]

Hi
 
I had a .30-30 rechambered to.30-40 Krag.  I an very pleased with the results.  I would have preferred a longer barrel but there was none available.  I am considering a 7.62x39 rechamber to .303 British.  I am still thinking about that one.  It's the old hole in the head argument.  Who knows what the future holds?
 
Talk to a smith first.  If its possible and you want it, go for it.
 
Take care and God bless.
 
Tom

[.308]

The least expensive way to get from a 270 to 7/08 in a Handi is to send the receiver in for the 7/08 barrel. But if you want something NEF doesn't offer and have the resources to get it like Marv's 25-35 or Mac's 338-06, etc. then heck go for it. Personally I'd love to have a 35 Whelen but don't know if that's practical using a NEF 357 mag. barrel. :grin: Right now I have a 30-30 barrel on the way, and am thinking about a rechamber to 30-30 Ackley Improved, sure is tempting.

[JPH45]

Personally I'd love to have a 35 Whelen but don't know if that's practical using a NEF 357 mag. barrel.

The answer to that question is..... It depends. If you are not looking to use bullet heavier than 250 grains, it'll do just fine. I shoot some 250's from time to time in my 357 Max, and am trying to get a group buy mold together for a 358 cal.  250 grian bullet. If the bullet stabilizes at the low velocity of 900 fps, it'sll do just fine at the 2400 fps the Whelen will drive it at.

If you are wanting to shoot 280-320 grain bullets, the 1 in 18 twist of the Handi won't do the job. Some fail to see the point of 250 grain bullets in the 35 Whelen. Yet most folks stop at 180 to 200 grians in the 30-06, so I say why not?!!! You can't stabilize a 250 grian 30 caliber bullet in the 1-10 twist of the '06, so you at least get to throw a heavier bullet than the you can with the '06, and probably a few hundred feet per second faster than the '06 would be capable of as well.

[.308]

The answer to that question is..... It depends. If you are not looking to use bullet heavier than 250 grains, it'll do just fine. I shoot some 250's from time to time in my 357 Max, and am trying to get a group buy mold together for a 358 cal.  250 grian bullet.

O.K. sounds good so far. My late model receiver and a 357 mag. barrel will take the pressures of the 35 Whelen?  How do I get in on the mould buy? You can shoot me a p/m. with the details if you'd like.

 

Some fail to see the point of 250 grain bullets in the 35 Whelen. Yet most folks stop at 180 to 200 grians in the 30-06, so I say why not?!!! You can't stabilize a 250 grian 30 caliber bullet in the 1-10 twist of the '06, so you at least get to throw a heavier bullet than the you can with the '06, and probably a few hundred feet per second faster than the '06 would be capable of as well.

With the 1/18" twist I'd be limited to 250 gr. and under? Hmmm. That ain't all that bad. How bad do you think the accuracy would be if I tried to shoot bullets heavier than 250 gr? Later...