Author Topic: What's Your Favorite Handi Rifle Rechamber ? (Read 3428 times)

Fred McIntire · « **on:** July 03, 2011, 10:11:08 AM »

When I get some change in my pockets again, I'd like to take on a new Handi rifle project. I'm thinking a rechamber project. Other than the
.357 Magnum to .357 Maximum, I don't know what would give me a great rifle that would be fun to shoot. That may indeed be the way I choose to go
but I thought I'd see what others have done.

Yes, I know. Why do all that work when you can just buy another barrel ? Like so many others, I don't have an answer.

Fred

Shortgun · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2011, 10:28:32 AM »

Fred
My favorite Handi rechamber is a .357 Mag barrel that I had rechambered to .358 Bullberry. It is a 30-30 case necked up to .358 with the shoulder pushed forward ,case wall straghtened out with a short neck. It is similar to the .35 Remington in performance. It is quite versitile in that I can shoot .357 pistol bullets in all weights as well as heavier rifle slugs. The 125 grain HP pistol bullets are extremly violent on small critters and Elk at reasonable ranges with 200-225 grain bullets fall easily into its working abilities. I have taken perhaps 20 or so head of big game with mine and many, many varmints. I have said for years, when folks asked, that this is probably my most accurate rifle in my safe.

I have to think the 30-30 AI would also be one of the most popular conversions on a Handi-rifle,
I would like to see the Handi chambered in a lot of calibers but hold very little hope of seeing any new chamberings from the factory.
Shortgun

spikehorn · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2011, 11:05:23 AM »

Haven't done it yet, but when I lay my hands on a 223 24" bull barrel I want to get it rechambered to 303 Brit.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2011, 11:35:07 AM »

I'd have to give the 30-30 Ackley my vote, it's also one that gives lots of performance return for your money. The 45-120 is probably the most fun tho, you don't even have to shoot it, the shock and awe at the sight of the cartridge alone is worth it!

The "little" round on the left is a 45-70.

Tim

gendoc · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2011, 12:01:36 PM »

my favorite one will havta be my 220swift, my newest rechamber tha "54" is very close !!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2011, 12:45:37 PM »

The "newest" is always the favorite.....at least until the next one!!

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:07:19 PM »

Excepting the .357, it has to be the .44 Mag to .445 Super Mag. Very versatile and almost like shooting the .500S&W. Mine is one of the older overbores so I load .433 bullets for it which makes it very accurate and that pleases the rifle and myself.

I also have about a hundred mixed .445 and cut down .30-40 brass. Although it is not a rechamber, my .32-20 is a joy to shoot and costs pennies to reload for.

Pete

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:16:11 PM »

I like the 22 K Hornet. A little faster than a regular Hornet but much longer brass life.It may start a Pi**ing match but it is all you need to head shoot Texas Whitetails ( or most other critters as well)

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:27:46 PM »

I have 2 , the first is a 22 Hornet to 224 GNR ( basicly a rimmed 222 ) and the other was the 22 mag to 218 Bee , what a sweet round that is .

Maybe I'm odd , but I just like 22 cal rounds .

stimpy

gendoc · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2011, 02:41:59 PM »

Quote from: jeepmann1948 on July 03, 2011, 02:16:11 PM

It may start a Pi**ing match but it is all you need to head shoot Texas Whitetails ( or most other critters as well)

thats kinda why i like tha swift in tha shoot'n house on tha powerline......100-400yrd possiblities

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2011, 04:35:00 PM »

Well, my two Trotter Specials 32/20 & 25/35, (Technically stubs not re-chambers) are tops on my list, and the 454 from the 45 COLT is a favorite...

Opening the throat (.400)on the 38-55 made it easier to feed...

My first and long time 357 maxi is a factory chamber otherwise it would be #1.

CW

ham7777 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2011, 06:10:58 PM »

#1 7X57AI then a close 2nd 30-30 AI and then the 303 Gibbs

Tom

mauser98us · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2011, 06:28:16 PM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on July 03, 2011, 04:35:00 PM

Well, my two Trotter Specials 32/20 & 25/35, (Technically stubs not re-chambers) are tops on my list, and the 454 from the 45 COLT is a favorite...

Opening the throat (.400)on the 38-55 made it easier to feed...

My first and long time 357 maxi is a factory chamber otherwise it would be #1.

CW

Lemme know when you get bored with the25-35 will ya?

bikerbeans · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2011, 06:36:34 PM »

I have 2 favorites, the 45-120 and the 410 fully rifled slug gun. The first is a 32" BC and lots of fun at the range and for me no practical application what so ever. The second one, a modified 444M, gives me a point blank 175 yard Ohio legal deer shot gun with not that much recoil.

BB

trotterlg · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2011, 07:11:17 PM »

Probably the biggest difference is bumping a 17 M2 (or 17 HMR) up to a 17 Rem FB. Larry

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2011, 02:14:09 PM »

I think it is hard to beat a 22K Hornet for small critters. It is accurate and I get a safe 3150 fps with a 34 grain bullet. Cases last longer than a regular 22 Hornet. As Stimpy, I have a soft spot for .224 bores. It is the only custom chamber I have at the moment. I am thinking very strongly about doing a 30-30 AI and will before it is over with.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

geezerbiker · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2011, 02:35:03 PM »

I think the .22 K-Hornet conversion is about the best thing you can do to a .22 Hornet. I have a couple of them and I'm thinking about getting on in a Contender...

Dinny · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2011, 03:12:09 PM »

Although I have yet to do it, I think a .358 Win rechamber from the 357 Mag would be pretty nice. I can't think of a better deer & hog gun. The 358 Win kills all out of proportion...

Thanks, Dinny

cwlongshot · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2011, 04:01:52 PM »

Quote from: Dinny on July 04, 2011, 03:12:09 PM

Although I have yet to do it, I think a .358 Win rechamber would be pretty nice. I can't think of a better deer & hog gun. The 358 Win kills all out of proportion...

Thanks, Dinny

Dinny,
I completely agree!! The 358 has accounted for some of the fasted instant kills I have ever seen!! Personally I'll keep it in my levers and Ruger Bolt. (If I can ever talk it outta my Uncles clutches.

)

I killed a small 140# buck one morning at about 30-40 yards. I was sitting watching it feed in front of me. TRYING to grow horns outta his head. It was thick so I could not see his head very well.
When I did see he had enough horn, he was quartering away. I aimed high shoulder near the base of the neck and touched the trigger. He appeared to be hanging in mid air! He "sucked his legs up to his body and fell straight down on his brisket.
Laid there for a moment and slowly rolled on his side. He was dead in mid air!!! That was a mild loading of a Hornady 200 GR Spitzer at about 2200 fps. To say I love this caliber would be a under statement.

But I have no desire to make a Handi into one.

CW

MSP Ret · « **Reply #19 on:** July 04, 2011, 04:59:09 PM »

Not in order of which is my favorite, since they all are favorites, but in order they were done:

1) .357 Mag to .357 Max

2) .357 Mag to .35 Remington

3) 20 gauge barrel stubbed to .45 ACP

4) .22 LR Versa Pak barrel to .22 WMR

and the last which was gifted to me:

5) 30/30 to 30/40 Krag

Great barrels all....<><....

6) Oops---I forgot one, a .22 Hornet barrel that I got as a botched attempt to rechamber to .223 Remington (why I will never know). It was not usable
the way it was and became a "custom" .22-250 barrel....<><....

gomerdog · « **Reply #20 on:** July 04, 2011, 05:06:49 PM »

My favorite is my 25 Remington rechambered and rebored from a 22 Hornet.

My most accurate is a 30/40 Krag rechambered from a 30/30.

The 25 has been bloodied once. I hope to break-in the 30/40 this fall.

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #21 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:33:10 AM »

WoW ! Lots of great projects here in this thread. There is so much knowledge assembled here in one place. It's absolutely amazing. I think we could open our own virtual rifle manufacturing business right here. Wait ! Come to think of it, that's exactly what we've done.

I'd like to take a moment to say "Thank You !" to Graybeard for the opportunity that he has given all of us to have a place to meet and discuss everything outdoors. Without Graybeards hard work and dedication to this site, all of this knowledge and information would be remain a secret, hidden away in cities and towns all across America. Thanks Graybeard !

Thanks guys for sharing.

Fred

cwlongshot · « **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:44:02 AM »

Quote from: Fred McIntire on July 05, 2011, 05:33:10 AM

I'd like to take a moment to say "Thank You !" to Graybeard for the opportunity that he has given all of us to have a place to meet and discuss everything outdoors. Without Graybeards hard work and dedication to this site, all of this knowledge and information would be remain a secret, hidden away in cities and towns all across America. Thanks Graybeard !

Thanks guys for sharing.

Fred

HERE HERE!! I whole heartedly agree Fred!!

I will add all moderaters and web site gurus who work behind the sceens allowing us to talk and compair notes daily. Its like a big extended family!
GREAT SITE wirh ever BETTER people!!!!

CW

necchi · « **Reply #23 on:** July 05, 2011, 04:03:46 PM »

Hip hip Huzzah,
Hip hip Huzzah,
Hip hip Huzzah!

dorothy daily · « **Reply #24 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:21:02 PM »

17 hmr to 17 k hornet and 17hmr to 17 mach iv.co favorite next is hornet to k hornet

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #25 on:** July 05, 2011, 07:42:12 PM »

My only rechambers are 357 Maxies and a 30-30AI. I do have a 7-30 Waters rebore and rechamber that is darn nice. Started life as a 223 barrel. May do at least one of my 45 Colt barrels to a 454 Casull and like the idea of a K-Hornet on one of 2 barrels. I think a 22-250 on one of the 223 barrels would solve some issues of the factory 22-250. DP

flicker · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2011, 12:13:48 PM »

What about 30-30 to 30/40Krag?

Datil · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2011, 02:00:02 PM »

mine is a 219 zipper in a 22 hornett/ It will reqch out and get a P/ Dog.
Datil

ratdog · « **Reply #28 on:** July 06, 2011, 03:39:27 PM »

this handi disease is really spreading

gcrank1 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 07, 2011, 05:27:49 AM »

I like that Zipper idea, but then I like 30-30 basic brass based cartridges, they just seem to match a Handi platform. The Improved cartridges on them also qualify, of course.