Newbie intro and Shikari questions

[fishhead]

 Hello,
 I bought a Thompson/Center Contender in the mid 1980's and did a bunch of target shooting with it. I have .223 (Burris 4X scope) and .357 mag 10 inch bull barrels for it. I always enjoyed shooting it and I liked the ability to change barrels/calibers.  Life got busy, and guns took a back seat for a bunch of years. Lately I have had the "itch" to get back in to guns and target shooting/plinking. I started looking at Handis at gun shows because I really prefer a single shot and the Handi just fit the bill for what I wanted.
   I got my first Handi last month. Its a NEF SB2 with factory fitted .223 and .243 with 22 inch barrels (Scoped). Then I came across a SB1 20 gauge pardner at a "can't refuse" price. I got the pardner for the barrel for  a possible future stub project. I'll probably do a .30 caliber stub, but as of right now, the specific round is undecided. Both of these guns have a NJxxx serial number (1995).
Last week I came across a H&R Shikari rifle in 45/70 (28 inch barrel). It has a ALxxx serial number (1973) and is brand new in the box (unfired). I havent found much information on the Shakari and some of it  is contridictory. I've seen post stating the Shakari was made from 1973 to 1983 and I have also seen claims where it was only a 2 year production run on it. Does anyone have any info on the Shikari ?
  Of course pics.
   I don't have the Shikari yet as my paperwork was flagged but I should be getting it in a few days.
 Dan

[quickdtoo]

The latest BBGV states the Shikari M155 was made 1973-81 in 44 mag and 45-70 with 24" or 28" barrels.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,251835.msg1099472699.html#msg1099472699

[Spanky]

Welcome to GBO and congrats on a great find.
I'd love to come across a NIB Shikari... they're great looking rifles.
Just keep in mind... the Shikari isn't made to handle hot loads. Stick to Trapdoor loads and you'll be fine.
Please post some pics of your new gem when you get it.
 
 
 
Spanky

[wolverine_1]

I bought a new one years ago. Made a mistake and sold it.  I got a used one several years ago and still love it.  The first one didn't say it was a model 155 (just Shikari) and had a leaf type sight like the ones on my .45 cal. Huntsmans.  My present one is marked Model 155 (& Shikari) and has a folding type rear sight like the on on my .58 cal. Huntman.  As mentioned above, they aren't for "high power" loads.  The straight stocks do kick a bunch.  I just got a Marlin 1895 with a nice pistol grip stock which I expect won't kick as much.  Have fun with your's.

[fishhead]

Thanks for the welcome and the Shikari information.
   I'm not sure what I am going to do with the Shikari, if I am going to "preserve"  it or shoot it. It sure is a nice looking gun though.
  I ended up doing a trigger job on my 20 gauge yesterday. I followed the FAQ honing directions and also added a screw to make the trigger spring tension adjustable. The present screw will be replaced with a set screw recessed in the trigger guard so it wont be seen ( I didnt have a set screw yesterday).I drilled the recess for the trigger spring a little deeper (to relax the spring) and then drilled a smaller hole for the screw to adjust the pressure on the trigger spring. I like "hair" triggers and it works like a charm.
 Dan
   

[fishhead]

   Picked  up my Shikari today. I removed the forearm and barrel and there is no signs of it ever being fired. Bore is clean, receiver is clean with no brass deposits or any signs of ever being fired. It has the original box and "Shikari" specific paperwork. The tatty lable on the box has model 155 and Shikari on it. ALxx serial number.
 This in one nice looking gun. Based on the trigger pull, it must have been ordered for some guy named Hercules as it requires a pretty good pull to drop the hammer. Nothing a trigger hone job wouldnt take care of.
 A couple questions:
 What would the value on this gun be?
Should I preserve it or just say heck with it and shoot it?
 I really prefer a scope to the iron sights, would drilling it for a scope be a bad idea?
 If I do keep it to shoot, I will probably wait untill I get set up for reloading to lighten up the loads( I shot a friends Win. 45/70=factory ammo= last week and it kicks like a mule, more than I want to tolerate for target shooting).
 Pics.
 

[gcrank1]

Now that you have some fire-formed brass you just gotta reload for it. The are several much more comfortable handloads with cast bullets that will make it from pistol to rifle performance. FWIW, this is an open sight rifle 'just because', if you want to scope one get one of the newer versions.
I love Trail Boss and Lee 340 to 405HB cast bullets in my 45-70s, but Unique will do well too. You likely want at least ,459 dia. lead bullets, dont even bother with ,457s. Shikari owners can be more specific on the cast bullet size(s) that work best.
Its a cool old rifle, not a 'collector' but to an H&R NUT (none here  ) and it sounds like you respect and care for your stuff already so you wont be hurting it to use it.
On the trigger, just clean the guts up and oil everything but put a dab of automotive anti-sieze compound only on the sear tip and hammer notch, it will likely work nicely with no metal removal. Those old non-transfer bar ones are pretty nice, but often can benefit from a new Wolff mainspring (dbl. leg).

[quickdtoo]

Shoot it, the latest BBGV lists value for the rifle in 100% condition at $275, 99% at $225 and 95% at $190, H&R made thousands of em, so they aren't rare.  Best advice for ammo is handload for it, of factory ammo the 405gr Remington @ 1300fps has little recoil, the 300gr are usually loaded to around 1800fps or higher.

Tim