H & R .45/.410 barrel

[jager]

H&R's (NEF) accessory barrel site lists a 45Colt/410 barrel for sale. Is this barrel rifled?  Does it shoot both loads well?  Thanks!

[RPRNY]

H&R's (NEF) accessory barrel site lists a 45Colt/410 barrel for sale. Is this barrel rifled?  Does it shoot both loads well?  Thanks!

Sadly, it's been quite a disappointment to most. The barrel is rifled and it comes with a Mod choke as I recall.

Firstly, you have that long jump for a 45LC through the chamber to the rifling. It's just over an 1" for most Colt loads. That does not help for accuracy.

Then, the myriad of issues arising from trying to pattern shot from a rifled barrel. Firstly, doing so leads the barrel, further diminishing 45LC accuracy. The chamber is oversize for the .45LC, not hugely, but then most 45LC chambers seem to be over SAAMI spec anyway, so this loses some umph in the .410 shell. Then the rifling spins the shot cup so that a few feet from the barrel shot is already swirling away from the core making for a patchy pattern. With only 1/2 - 3/4 oz of shot to start with, loosing a substantial amount to swirl makes for a a bad pattern even at 15 yards. Would work for snakes.

Sadly, H&R no longer do a 45LC barrel because shot caps on handloads of 45LC would probably be just as effective as firing .410 shells down a rifled overbore barrel...








But other than that, I believe Mrs Lincoln enjoyed the play....

[tacklebury]

Unfortunately, RPRNY doesn't have all the information.  There have been several members, including I believe Gendoc and BikerBeans that really have done well with these barrels.  There are some things to really look at including what it takes to make one shoot well and whether there isn't simply a better solution or if the combo possibilities are really worthwhile. 
 
To answer your questions, yes the barrel is rifled.  It uses a straightening choke for the .410 shot loads that stop the spin somewhat to get decent performance.  This is similar to what Thompson Center Contender in .45/.410, Taurus Circuit Judge and the Comanche II pistol do to make this work.  The pain part is that you must remove the choke to shoot .45 Colt or .410 Slugs (or good idea with slugs, but not required).  The second issue as RPRNY did point out is the jump to the rifling.  Since the barrel doesn't have a real set of sights and just a bead, accuracy will be adequate for 50-70 yard shots typically on deer, but you will not achieve MOA type accuracy without some other sight mechanism/scope.  If you are looking for a truck gun that can handle small game and minor big game hunting, you will probably be plenty happy with this weapon.  If you plan to shoot for groups or long range, probably not so much.  Some accuracy gains can be had by using really long brass as some may join in and explain. 
 
My last statement is that the .45 Colt barrels (if you can find them) can be very accurate and mine is my primary white tail gun now.  I use 300 gr. XTP Magnums and a load of rifle powder (RL7) that makes this a great all round firearm out to 125 yards.  I shot a 4 point this last season and it barely went about 10 steps and dropped and I hit it a bit far back as it was at a full run.  If I were you and I wanted to shoot both though, I'd try to find a .45-70 that I liked then fit a .410 barrel (can be had for 40-70 bucks here often) and then swap for which one you want, but that's just my opinion. 

[j4l]

Ah. This one answers some of the questions I have about one of these, before I decide to send in my receiver for fitting one.

I have an old .410 that Ive owned for almost 20 yrs. I use it a LOT for snakes around the house. (Fla., so I get a ton of Rattlesnakes and Cottonmouths here) I taken out, maybe 400 or more over the years with it- and it works perfectly for that task with #6 shot.
But, I've also been getting the occasional wild hog or Black Bear in the last yr. or so in my yard at night.

Thankfully, the Bear have so far either ignored me completely, or turned and run off as soon as I walk out. But, Im not too crazy about hoping that will always being the case. So, just in case (and because I like .45C  ) I've been wanting the .45/.410 barrel for mine, as I have'nt been able to locate a .45/.410 NEF, locally, in a long time. 

Im not concerned about, nor desiring, anything with sniper-level accuracy or range, for now- so the accuracy/pattern issues are not a deal-breaker for me. Nor do I hunt.

I figure .45 colt should handle the non-slithering pests reasonably well,and-given my engagement -distances(75ft to front gate/fence ,75-80 feet to back fence, 40 ft to either side fence)  I'd not be likely to get off more than 1 shot anyway, so..

Also, I dont reload. I may stick with either factory loads, or Buffalo Bore loads (checked with H&R, and they said the loads should be fine in this).  Rough ideas re: velocities of .45 colt from this barrel?

Also, has anyone fired the 3x 000 shots from the rifled .410/choke set-up?

[jager]

Thanks to all for the inputs, both shooting experience and opinion, on effectiveness of the "combo" barrel. I'm not looking for a "intermediate" range combo, just a gun that will provide short range use with both cartridges without changing barrels. Regards.

[Klahtax]

Was very    with mine.
@ 50 yards it grouped like 12" with the long Colt.
I handloaded and nothing grouped.
Took it back to the gun shop and told them how bad it was and they did not believe me until they shot it from a Lead Sled and the guy actually missed the paper @50 yards. He was shocked and gave me credit towards a 44mag H&R that shoots well under MOA.

[gendoc]

Was very    with mine.
@ 50 yards it grouped like 12" with the long Colt.
I handloaded and nothing grouped.
Took it back to the gun shop and told them how bad it was and they did not believe me until they shot it from a Lead Sled and the guy actually missed the paper @50 yards. He was shocked and gave me credit towards a 44mag H&R that shoots well under MOA.

if ya ever go back there, tell him you know sumone that will buy it "cash" for salvage rights...........