More about rebarreling my older receiver...

[bwana]

Just when I think I've made up my mind...

If NEF will not rebarrel your rifle, I think the safe thing to do is buy a newer rifle. These older receivers were not made as hard as the newer SB-2. Yours might or might not hold up to it, but why risk it? You could easily stretch the receiver and ruin it for BOTH barrels. It has happened before.

I have a .45/70 with a mannlicher stock and really need a flatter shooter.  I live on a farm and I am faced with wide open spaces far more frequently than close quarters shooting.  I'd like to keep the .45/70 just for the novelty and possibly use it as an appliance gun......... (Appliance gun? you ask... shootin' big holes in old water heaters, washing machines and the kind of junk that is enivitably laying around at illegal dump sites/informal shooting spots).

But to keep the peace with the War Department (wife) I generally try to keep my gun collection from becoming more like an obsession (I have OTHER obsessions/collections too, you know).  I am attracted to the Handi because I can get more calibers to dink around with for the same $$.  Having a new barrel show up will be easier on the wallet than buying a complete new gun.  Trying to build a broader collection for the same amount of money, so to speak.  I had to sell a gun to get the .45/70.  I got a great buy on it, but I am concerned now about whether or not I got the receiver I will need.

Based on the quote above, I would like more info about older (NK serial number) receivers and whether or not they can handle the cartridge I want to shoot.

If you guys (all smarter than me) advise me to not use this receiver, I will sell the complete gun and get the .270 Ultra Comp I have located nearby.  I can always get the .45/70 barrel for THAT receiver if I still want to put an old Whirlpool out of its misery.

So, whatdjuthink?

bwana

[Brett]

Your answer may be as close as the used gun rack at your local gun or pawn shop.  Often these Handis go for under $200 2nd hand, sometimes already scoped.  Not much more than the cost of a factory installed barrel by the time you pay their new fitting charge and shipping both ways.  So if I were you I would start scouting the used gun racks for a flat shooting caliber like a .270, .280, 7mm/08, .308 or 30-06.  Any one of these would make a fine long range deer rifle.

[MSP Ret]

Tho other option is to buy a used barrel for less than $100 and put/fit it onto your reciever yourself. Let me know what caliber barrel you are thinking of adding and I'll check to see if your reciever will handle it. There is a used 22-250 barrel for sale right now on this forum (unless it's been snapped up) that is a great varmit caliber and many deer have fallen to it also. Many feel It is better for varmits than the .223. That caliber would be safe for sure on your 45-70 SB2 reciever...Get back with what caliber you are interested in and perhaps you can save $100+...My  45-70 frame was fitted by the factory with a 7x57 barrel and two 12 gauge barrels, also the .223, .22-250, .22 Hornet, 45-70, 38-55, .357 Mag, .357 Max, .44 Mag, and 30-30 barrels are all considered "low intensity" barrels and can be fitted to early SB2 recievers...What caliber do you want to add?....<><.... :grin:

[DanielWGriggs]

bwana,

I have a .308 that is  a year older than yours. Your receiver should handle the .308 also.


 Barrel Accessory Program

Additional barrels may be added to firearms of our manufacture since 1987 only, with a serial number that begins with N or H. We do not install additional barrels on any other manufacturerÂ’s firearms.
Additional barrels are available as additional barrels only. We will not exchange barrels for existing barrels on shotguns and rifles, as it will change the model.
Rifle frames may be fitted with additional rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader barrels.
Shotgun frames may be fitted with additional shotgun and muzzleloader barrels only.
We do not sell additional barrels outright. All barrels must be factory fitted.
 
I think with the first letter being an N you've got no problems. The above was copied off the H&R rebarreling program.  hope this allays concerns.
Quickd2 thanks for the info. dan'l

[lik2hunt]

Here are two things you might want to consider.

First the serial number data from the FAQ on this froum.
http://home.texoma.net/~wganz/HandiFAQ.htm#SerialNum

And next is the fact that all standard Handis - wood/blued - can be had from Wal-Mart for less than $200 brand new.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product_listing.gsp?cat=170119

Oh yea I guess you better make that three things........I would like to be the first in line to say that I would be interested in your 45-70 barrel if you decide to split the rifle/receiver up and sell as seperate components.