SB-1 vs. SB-2 Weight

[KLA]

What is the difference in weight of these two receivers?  I'm deciding between a 44 mag barrel for my SB-2 receiver or just buying a SB-1 package in 44 mag.  Will the barrel be the same weight either way?

Thanks for any info.

[trotterlg]

The barrel will be the same weight with either.  The SB2 receiver is slightly lighter (not much) because the area where the stock meets the rear of the frame is not solid like the SB1 is. 

[Blackhawker]

This raises a good point; what IS the difference between the two frame styles?  Also, in reference to the above question, I thought the SB2 frame was the stronger of the two frames, so wouldn't it make sense that the SB2 frame be heavier than the SB1?

I'm very new to the H&R type firearm frame, so maybe I'm wrong.  ??

[jpshaw]

Certainly Quick is going to help us out here.  I've always been curious about the weights and measures of each component.

[coyotejoe]

I believe this is pretty well addressed in the Faqs. Basically the sb2 is stronger not because there is more material but because it is better material, steel vrs cast iron. For many years H&R rifle and shotgun frames were all the same cast iron. They were built only for moderate pressure rifle rounds like the .22 hornet and .30/30. To step into the high pressure world they had to improve the material and heat treatment which adds a bit to the cost, therefore they use the sb2 frame only where needed. There would be nothing wrong with a .357 or .44 mag on the sb1 frame if you're sure you'll never want to add a high pressure barrel. With the current problems in the accessory barrel program it makes sense to save a few bucks on an sb1 rifle and then if you do want a .270 or some such just get another complete rifle. I do think they are creating a hazard there. Not everyone logs onto GBO and few outside this little group realize there are two different frames and many will try a barrel and if it seems to fit they will shoot it.

[Blackhawker]

CoyoteJoe, this is great info.  I have recently purchased an older Wesson and Harrington Buffalo Classic.  It has both 45-70 and 38-55 barrels.  I'm trying to determine if the frame is SB1 or SB2.  If the rifle was sold as a 45-70, do you think it would have had a cast iron frame or steel (SB1 or SB2)?  I'm trying to determine the strength of the frame prior to loading for each caliber, for obvious reasons. 

[jpshaw]

The SB2 receiver is slightly lighter (not much) because the area where the stock meets the rear of the frame is not solid like the SB1 is. 

What is the weight of each receiver alone without the stock or stock bolt?

[quickdtoo]

Dunno the weight difference, but I have a new frame coming today, I'll weigh it and an SB1 frame and post it in the FAQs with the other weights that are already there. The SB2 frame is a heat treated investment cast alloy, the SB1 frame isn't, that's all H&R would ever tell us, there's more info on that topic in the FAQs along with pics of the difference in appearance which show they look entirely different.
 
Tim

[coyotejoe]

CoyoteJoe, this is great info.  I have recently purchased an older Wesson and Harrington Buffalo Classic.  It has both 45-70 and 38-55 barrels.  I'm trying to determine if the frame is SB1 or SB2.  If the rifle was sold as a 45-70, do you think it would have had a cast iron frame or steel (SB1 or SB2)?  I'm trying to determine the strength of the frame prior to loading for each caliber, for obvious reasons. 

I'm pretty sure all Buffalo Classics are sb2 frames but check out the faqs to be sure. If there is any difference in weight of an sb1 versus the sb2 I doubt it would be more than an ounce or so. With the 45/70 I find that my recoil tolerance is more of a limiting factor than is the strength of the gun.

[Blackhawker]

Thanks for the reply CoyoteJoe.  From yours and several other replies, I'm beginning to realize that I probably have nothing to worry about with the frame I have.  I also agree that I'll probably beat myself up with too heavy of loads before the frame is compromized.  Truthfully, I'm not looking to make a howitzer out of it, I just want to know I have the extra strength available above and beyond my reloads....sort of a safety barier.  I don't like the idea of pushing things to their utmost limit.  Besides, I'll probably never shoot my BC over 300 yards anyway.

Thanks again!

[jpshaw]

OK guys here it is.

  SB1 Frame with handcut straight stock attached                                 44.6 oz
  Sb2 Frame with standard rifle stock attached and hammer ext.              41.9 oz

I didn't want to remove the stocks until after season for fear of messing up my zero on my .30/30

I couldn't weigh the barrels since the two went over the maximum (3 lbs) on my postal scale.

Shotgun forearm w/o lug 4.1 oz, rifle forearm with lug 4.4 oz.

Now if someone just had a scale that could weigh these barrels to the nearest oz we could add it to the FAQ

[quickdtoo]

Oops, sorry fellas, I forgot!! Thanks for reminding me JP!!

Matte nickel SB2 NW - 22.8oz

Case colored SB1 NG - 23.1oz

Tim

[jpshaw]

OK I took the stock off the SB2 and the weight is 23.4 oz without stock or bolt which would line up with quick,s 22.8 oz since mine had the hammer extention still on it and they weigh more then you think.  My serial number was NS.

[quickdtoo]

I removed the hammer ext from the SB2 since the SB1 didn't have one on it.  Hammer extensions weigh 122.2gr or .279 oz.  When removing this extension it had the smaller 1/16" hex hole set screw in it instead of the more commone 5/64", so I posted that along with the weights in the FAQs.

Tim