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Author Topic: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.  (Read 3179 times)

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Offline Joel45acp

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H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« on: August 08, 2007, 03:05:57 PM »
I got a topper in 30/30 today from a pawn shop for cheap.  I'm wondering if I can change to 357mag?  Thanks in advance.
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Offline EVOC ONE

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2007, 03:10:52 PM »
If you mean to change the caliber of the .30-30 barrel to .357, I would say not.  The .30-30 chamber length is way longer than the .357.

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Offline greg916

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2007, 03:16:29 PM »
i have had toppers in 30-30, 22jet, and 22 hornet. i think they also came in 357 and 44, but not sure. i know nef will not fit one. i personally would not do it.
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Offline Joel45acp

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2007, 05:15:31 PM »
Sorry, what I meant was, can I change barrels for different calibers like say the 357mag?
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2007, 05:24:29 PM »
Some have used newer barrels on old Toppers, but don't count on it, the one I had was way bigger in the pivot to breech measurement. H&R won't touch a frame made before 1987, so barrel fitting by them isn't an option.

Tim

http://hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.aspx
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Offline Hofs01

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2007, 05:37:35 PM »
Quote from: greg916 on August 08, 2007, 03:16:29 PM
i have had toppers in 30-30, 22jet, and 22 hornet. i think they also came in 357 and 44, but not sure. i know nef will not fit one. i personally would not do it.

Does anyone still have a topper 158 in a Jet or a Hornet? I am looking for one or both of these and wonder if they even exist in the profiled barrel. If someone has one of these things could you post a picture of it with the profile?
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2007, 05:49:16 PM »
The only jets that I know are here for sure are Cheatermk3's and Mt3030, Mt3030 died, Cheatermk3 hasn't posted for 2 months. Dunno about the hornet tho.

Tim

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Offline Hofs01

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2007, 06:08:47 PM »
I missed two separate Jets on Ebay last year. They went really high!
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2007, 06:10:59 PM »
Yeah, I bid up to $200 on one, but that's as high as I went. I had even bought a used RCBS die set, but never got a barrel, so I sold it to Mt3030.

Tim
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Offline capnduane

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2007, 12:51:21 PM »
Hofs01, heres pics of my 158 topper.  It came as a 20ga,  and I sent it back to the factory and had 22 Hornet and 30-30 bbls added. Its shown with the Hornet bbl on, and with the 30-30 bbl and a new 20ga bbl  that fits it perfectly
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Offline capnduane

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2007, 12:56:06 PM »
2nd pic
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2007, 02:02:32 PM »
Quote from: capnduane on August 09, 2007, 12:51:21 PM
Hofs01, heres pics of my 158 topper.  It came as a 20ga,  and I sent it back to the factory and had 22 Hornet and 30-30 bbls added. Its shown with the Hornet bbl on, and with the 30-30 bbl and a new 20ga bbl  that fits it perfectly

 I think you may possibly be mistaken or miss informed, concerning your barrels...

 I am not saying the factory didn't fit barrels to your receiver for you. They just no longer will. My questions are about the barrels and there age.
 
 I would like to point out the stud, under the barrel, where the for-end will attach. We can see two of them in your second picture. The top one with the scope is an old style barrel with the old style stud, second generation if you will. The lower barrel, with open sites, (20ga I assume) is a newer style stud. Also the side of your receiver looks newer than a M157/8 series. (But I cannot see it that well, so I could be mistaken) The 157/8's said 157 or 158 right in there sides and most also had low profile hammers. I do not believe the new style for-end stud was offered on the 157 / 158 receivers.

Here is some pics to clarify. This is a newer style fore-end stud like your shotgun barrel appears to have:



 This is a old style, your scoped barrel (not mounted to receiver)in the second pic, appears to have:



 For reference, ere is a 158 receiver:





 This is a early 158 receiver with a STD hammer. Notice lack of SN in normal position:



 Did you have barrels that you sent to the factory? That could account for the differences... Again, to my knowledge, the factory will not fit a barrel you send in any-longer.

 CW





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Offline capnduane

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2007, 06:00:10 PM »
CW, I bought this as a 20ga shotgun in the early 80s  I sent it in to the factory (at that time) and they provided and  installed the rifle bbls.  The shotgun bbl shown is a NEW one, which I got last year.  It fits perfectly. It was not fitted by the factory, they will not fit barrels to older actions such as this one, as you know. Back then only rimmed cartridges were available.  Just posted the pic to show the contour of the older barrels, they were much slimmer and lighter then. Serial number prefex is AX, which is 1983. Hope that clears things up?  ;)
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Offline d_hiker

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2007, 08:30:46 PM »
Is that an epoxied scope mount on that Hornet?  How has it held up?
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2007, 12:19:45 AM »
Quote from: capnduane on August 09, 2007, 06:00:10 PM
CW, I bought this as a 20ga shotgun in the early 80s  I sent it in to the factory (at that time) and they provided and  installed the rifle bbls.  The shotgun bbl shown is a NEW one, which I got last year.  It fits perfectly. It was not fitted by the factory, they will not fit barrels to older actions such as this one, as you know. Back then only rimmed cartridges were available.  Just posted the pic to show the contour of the older barrels, they were much slimmer and lighter then. Serial number prefex is AX, which is 1983. Hope that clears things up?  ;)

 Sure does!! Thanks!!

 I have one of those receivers as well!!



 CW
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Offline capnduane

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2007, 03:42:11 AM »
d hiker, yes, each ring has one screw holding it and then epoxy also. Been on there for 20+ years! Don't think I can remember what type of epoxy I used, however...... Maybe JB Weld?   
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2007, 05:24:42 AM »
Ironsighter makes rings similar to those for the Handi, their part number 718. ;)

Tim

http://www.ironsighter.com/2006.pdf

http://www.ironsighter.com/
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Offline d_hiker

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2007, 08:47:37 AM »
Quote from: capnduane on August 10, 2007, 03:42:11 AM
d hiker, yes, each ring has one screw holding it and then epoxy also. Been on there for 20+ years! Don't think I can remember what type of epoxy I used, however...... Maybe JB Weld?   

I have a pair of rings that look like that.  I can't remember where I got them or what gun they were for.  I think they were on a clearance shelf and I was going to use them to make a varmint light mount for my scope.  I know I have had them for several years.  I'll have to check the contour and see if it is close to my Handi barrel.  Thank you for including the photo, I know I am off topic, but your scope mount caused me to think about those rings I have.
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #18 on: August 10, 2007, 10:02:18 AM »
I have a set of the Holden Ironsighter see thru rings that Quick mentioned (#718). They are made for the Handi rifles and fit them perfectly. They are also close enough to the barrel to allow the use of iron sights as well as the scope....<><....:)
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Offline mtbugle

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #19 on: August 10, 2007, 08:12:45 PM »
i have one of the 158's with the 22 jet barrel, also 30-30 and couple of shotgun barrels.  havn't shot the jet yet, but the 30-30 shoots good.  it has the snap on forearm and seems to be old enough that no serial # on it.  I am hoping to get some jet ammo loaded for it soon to try it out.
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Offline Hofs01

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Re: H&R Topper 158 in 30/30 cal.
« Reply #20 on: August 12, 2007, 04:55:00 PM »
Hey guys,

Here is some pics of my pride and Joy. This is the gun that started it all for me. My dad gave this to me in 1978 (i think). He told me that we could eventually find a 30/30 barrel for it. Last year (28 years later) I finally hooked up a MATCHING 30/30 barrel that was made for this gun. It is almost impossible to find barrels that match the barrel profile. I have found 2 .410's, 1 30/30, and a 20 Gauge. I bought them all. These special barrels are snap on forends only. As I said before I would like to have the Jet and Hornet barrels to match as well. With luck I will find them one day.     
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