Need advice on oddball I found. To buy or not to buy

[manofthe45]

At a local shop today I found an H&r or NEf  The was marked I believe Buffilo classic and 45/70.  Nice long barrel in perfect shape.  Now the oddball.  open it up and low and behold a breech plug.  Previous owner rechambered if that is the right word to a 209 45 cal ML.

My ? is this common.  What is the twist on these barrels.  I am looking for something that will shoot a long heavy conigal and wonder if this needs to be a new toy in my gun barn.

[quickdtoo]

Both the H&R Handi 45-70 22" barrel and Buffalo Classic 32" barrel are 1:20" which in the 45-70 is good for 1000yd shooting with 500gr bullets, there have been several discussions on converting them to muzzleloaders in the H&R Centerfire forum over the last few years, but the current production barrels have rather shallow rifling which wouldn't be the best. Older Shikari barrels had Ballard cut rifling which would make a better muzzleloader IMO.

Tim

[Busta]

Both the H&R Handi 45-70 22" barrel and Buffalo Classic 32" barrel are 1:20" which in the 45-70 is good for 1000yd shooting with 500gr bullets, there have been several discussions on converting them to muzzleloaders in the H&R Centerfire forum over the last few years, but the current production barrels have rather shallow rifling which wouldn't be the best. Older Shikari barrels had Ballard cut rifling which would make a better muzzleloader IMO.

Tim

Tim,

How shallow? What is the size of the bore? Land to land, groove to groove? My Whites have .0035" rifling, that is the perfect depth for shooting full bore pure lead slip fit conicals. The Huntsman has .0045" rifling and does very well with pure lead slip fit conicals too. The pure lead obturates into the grooves during initial upset. You can load and shoot these bullets all day long without swabbing. The bullets ride down on the lands with slight engraving, when fired they obturate taking any fouling in the grooves from the previous shot with it.



mot45,

My White .451 has a 1-20 twist, perfect for the 450-500 grainers. How long is the breech plug? You don't want there to be chamber space ahead of the plug, can make for a dangerous situation.

[Hammerspur]

 

Both the H&R Handi 45-70 22" barrel and Buffalo Classic 32" barrel are 1:20" which in the 45-70 is good for 1000yd shooting with 500gr bullets, there have been several discussions on converting them to muzzleloaders in the H&R Centerfire forum over the last few years, but the current production barrels have rather shallow rifling which wouldn't be the best. Older Shikari barrels had Ballard cut rifling which would make a better muzzleloader IMO.Tim

My Hubbard Conversion Shikari twists at 1 in 22":
 

How shallow? What is the size of the bore? Land to land, groove to groove? My Whites have .0035" rifling, that is the perfect depth for shooting full bore pure lead slip fit conicals. The Huntsman has .0045" rifling and does very well with pure lead slip fit conicals too.
My White .451 has a 1-20 twist, perfect for the 450-500 grainers. How long is the breech plug? You don't want there to be chamber space ahead of the plug, can make for a dangerous situation.

 
The breechplug in mine has a hollowed out front-end, conical powder well style, so part of the charge fills it. Just the same even a relatively modest propellant load results in a powder column which completely fills it and any remaining space from the original chamber.

MO 45,
If the price seems reasonable to you, I say grab it! Lots of places to go with this one. You could check HERE for ideas:

http://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/index.php

[quickdtoo]

I'll have to find my slugs, but they were only .002"-.003" deep IIRC.

Tim