Author Topic: how to get the most out of my 22 rem jet 158 topper combo (Read 1376 times)

deadkelly · « **on:** August 16, 2011, 04:30:59 PM »

g'day all i have 2 h&r firearms 1st is a 158 topper with 4 barrels . 22 rem jet , 3030 , 410g & 20g . first off the gun it self is oldish & well worn on the outside .( rub marks & the bluing on the 20g barrel is 1/2 gone ) but the inside of the barrels are almost new . the 3030 barrel shoots very well @ 100 yards 2 1/2 " at 100 yards open sights ( & i'm very blind & can't even see the bull rings @ 100 , just aiming at the center of the blur . ) so i'm sure if i had a amming mark or scope i could do much better . anyways i'm thinking about rechambering the 22 rem jet barrel to 222 rimmed as i already have 222 rem dies ?? whats your thoughts on this ?
Q2 should i chamber the 30/30 to the ackley chamber as i have dies for both ?
the forend comes off when shooting the 20g is the 20g a bit much for the old topper

what should i do to fix it or do i not use the 20g barrel anymore ?
Q what open sight options are there for the old toppers & who sells them

? the rear sight on the 22 rem jet & 30/30 both look like the rear sight on a ruger 10/22 , i'm wondering if theres a rear peep sight that will fit into the dovetail joint in the barrel & would also replace the front sight .
i also have a very old 12g h&r ( i think ) with no markings at all that i can see . the frame is larger than the 158 topper & has the swing type action release lever . it has a broken stock in the wrist area i'd like to replace the stock & give it a good clean up & new lease of life . thanks guy's great to be on here .

thejanitor · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2011, 05:03:40 PM »

Your topper is not made for the 222 pressure. My old topper is a pre-sb1 and it shouldn't get a barrel with that much pressure put on it. Sorry but you don't need a 222 at the price it could cost you (eyes, fingers... worse). Just my two cents but be careful. I am glad you asked. But if you change the chamber and get an SB2 reciever you would be fine.
thejanitor

EDIT- just noticed your new. Welcome! and if you read the FAQ section it will explain more on what you can and can't use on that action. These people here are a great bunch and will help with all your questions.

av-doctor · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2011, 05:24:00 AM »

first off Welcome,
now to your ?'s
1. your idea for a rechamber to 222 is probably not a good idea topper frames are not intended for high pressure rounds.
2. your idea to rechamber to 30-30ai is not really necessary if you plan to stay with open sights, you won't see (no pun intended) the improvements. quick will be around shortly with a better answer, whats the pressure of the 30-30ai?
2.b check the lug on the barrel compared to a barrel it fits tight on is there noticeably more wear on the 20ga, if so i'm sure you could build it up and reshape it. not exactly what product would be best for this
3. can't help you with open sights i'm to blind to use them effectively
4. the 12ga with the swing lever sounds like a stevens are there any markings at all.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2011, 06:45:39 AM »

Welcome deadkelly! I recommend against the 222 also, the cast iron frame and the soldered underlug of the M158 aren't good platforms for high pressure rounds, the 30-30AI should be ok as long as you stay within the SAAMI pressure spec of 42kpsi(38kcup), but since it's not a SAAMI spec cartridge, hard to tell what the pressure is with no actual pressure tested data that I'm aware of, Ackley did all of his testing in the M94 which I think is a stronger platform than the M158. I have an M158 30-30 barrel, I won't hot rod it, it sure is a pleasure to carry tho with the lighter contour.

Tim

deadkelly · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2011, 10:54:24 PM »

thanks for the reply's guy's .
i did write a reply last night but i had to login again & it got lost . oh well round 2 .
ok i'm hearing you guy's about the 222 rimmed . i won't do that now .
well how can i make the 22 rem jet cases without costing a arm & a leg for set up ?
can i just use a 2 die set ( fl die ) & run a 256 win case through the fl die for a single operation & then trim the case

?
if i bought a die set + forming die to form out of 357 mag cases it would cost more then the rifle . + trimmer ect . one mate hates the rifle & say's not to waste my money mmmmmm .
as for the 30/30 well it's no problem to leave it as it is , just a shame i planned to use good pointed bullets along with a 2-7 x32 scope with 30 mm tube that i have + neek size to get the most out of the old 30/30 single shot . but oh well . i'll have a look at the barrel lugs on the barrels .
i have broken quite a few single barreled shot guns in my time shooting 3" magnums , so i have a few idears to beef up the forend , but there again mabey i shouldn't get to carried away with this wee thing . after all it's mainly for the misus & the kids .
as for the 12g : all it says is 12ga choke on top of the barrel at the chamber end & a serial number on the left side of the barrel lug . when i have time i'll try & put some pic's up . well thanks guy's .

thejanitor · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2011, 02:43:57 AM »

Deadkelly- you can still load your pointed bullets for the 30-30, I shoot 130 gr Hornady spire points from my topper exclusively. Just keep the loads from getting to max. You just may find it shoots quite impressive groups and flatter than you may think. Granted it isn't a 25-06 but it also doesn't fall into the punkin chucker class with those bullets either. I have had my topper since 2003 and have shot several different loads in it but found the 130 to perform well and be very pleasant to shoot. Good luck. thejanitor

av-doctor · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2011, 03:56:23 AM »

i'm working a load for mine with 125gr nos bt's and h335 last test load crossed the chrono avg 2275 and thats still towards the bottom end of load range.the toppers are great to carry around and everyone i've seen was pretty accurate including mine.

tobster · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2011, 04:07:47 AM »

I bet the mention of a Jet chambering got the attention of some of the members here. Have you ever considered selling what you have to a "Handi-holic" and using the money to buy a current production rifle? Just a thought......

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2011, 05:46:45 AM »

I've shot the 125gr Nosler BT in my M158, does real good, go for it, I use Hodgdon H4895(AR2206H for you down under) and Nosler's 30-30 pistol data for H4895.

We've got several Jet reloaders here, should be some help along soon.

Tim

deadkelly · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2011, 11:00:08 PM »

I bet the mention of a Jet chambering got the attention of some of the members here. Have you ever considered selling what you have to a "Handi-holic" and using the money to buy a current production rifle? Just a thought......yeah for sure i'd sell it . i'd rather sell it to somebody that wants it . i know it hasn't even fired a full box of ammo . i'm not sure if that's 18 or 48 rounds it's fired . but the old farmer said that the box of ammo that came with it is the only ammo used in that barrel , & there were 2 left . & of course all the guy's in the gun shop helped them selves to the rare can't get ammo . i ended up with 1 case to admire . it's here if some body wants it , BUT I'M IN AUSTRALIA . AS FOR THE 30/30 i intended on tryn NBT'S & 125 - 130 gr is the weight i wanted to use . it will be used on goats , pigs & fallow deer mostly . it did shoot real good with the 150 tipan hp ( aussie made bullets ) . ps thanks quickdtoo for the ar2206h heads up .

geezerbiker · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2011, 11:51:42 PM »

If it were here in the US, I'd go for it. I've always found the Jet to be interesting. I traded all the jet brass I had minus one case, to a friend in Texas. I also traded all the .256 Win. to him too. Some years ago I got 4 boxes of .256 win and 2 boxes 22 Jet new unloaded cases in trade. I kept them for a couple years and never found anything to use them with.

Tony

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2011, 12:55:47 AM »

You can buy ready made Remington 22 Jet cases. At least you can in the USA. Here is one source from Midway USA
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=1&categoryId=11472&categoryString=9315***652***670***9014***

Good Luck and Good Shooting

deadkelly · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2011, 03:07:50 AM »

LaOtto222 thanks for the link . gotta find out how to get them . i'm sure my local gun shop can get them in . it'll just take ages .

av-doctor · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2011, 03:54:22 AM »

prvi partizan make it to, they have distributors around the world.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2011, 05:33:22 PM »

I got my dies for my Jet off ebay and the brass from Midway. I have not shot it much yet . The twist on your Jet will be 16". I have some information I will forward to you. here's a pic of mine. There are several folks here who have these. Kurt

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2011, 05:44:05 PM »

Here's some info . BTW welcome aboard. Kurt
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/hl263partial.pdf

deadkelly · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2011, 09:05:56 PM »

thanks phatinjun great link .
what loads are you or anybody else using in our 158 toppers , as those loads in that write up are 50 k cup . what are the pressure signs in these toppers ?? or are the good old primer test rule of thumb with these rifles also ?
ps what size projectiles are you guys using also ? .
it say's in FAQ'S that the h&r 22 rem jet is .221 cal ? if we can't or shouldn't use 223 or 224 bullets then what are you's using ? thanks again .

geezerbiker · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2011, 08:42:28 AM »

Quote from: deadkelly on August 19, 2011, 09:05:56 PM

it say's in FAQ'S that the h&r 22 rem jet is .221 cal ? if we can't or shouldn't use 223 or 224 bullets then what are you's using ? thanks again .

I would start by slugging the bore to find out what size it is...

Tony

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2011, 10:11:02 AM »

I had a hell of a time ~~slugging my bore~~.My mistake I had a hell of a time when I did the chamber cast. All the old Hornets, Jets and .22 Rimfires are what I had listed in the faq's. Here is a load to try and I can not find the article that I got it from. 14gr Lilgun Rem 6 1/2 primer Horn #2210 .222 40gr Jet bullet Max OAL 1.650. Also some from 45th Lyman book remember these are all pistol loads. This is what they said was factory duplicate load in 1970. Bullets were Jacketed .222. Powder 12.0gr 2400 1937fps. Accuracy load of 11.0gr IMR4227 1575fps Don't be scared to try some .224 bullets as I used to shoot them out of my M157 22 Hornet with 2"@100 accuracy. I just have not given this gun any range time yet. Kurt

deadkelly · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2011, 06:04:38 PM »

thanks again kurt .
i'm going out to a gunsmiths place tonight , & i'm hoping he can slug the bore tonight for me .
ok i just got off the phone to a mate who works in a gun shop . well in case you's don't realize but Australia has very restrictive gun laws that makes everthing so hard on all involved . anyways the importers sook & winge & carry on so much if theres any unusual or uncommon orders . anyway my mate says the best way to get those 22 rem jet cases & dies is to recieve them as a gift from somebody in the usa , sent on ups . as long as the total is less than $100 us . so i'm asking a favour is there anybody or body's willing to play santa for me please

. i'll cover all expenses of course + send you back a random present for CHRISTmas . . there is still paper work that must be submitted at this end but at leased i'll get it in a few weeks rather then months . put it this way i was quoted $ 129 AU for the rem jet die set & it may take 4 months shipping . now i have seen the die set for about $65 from midway + 100 cases that would be close to the $100 mark + i think i'll be paying close to $50 for shipping anyway but at leased i'll get it sooner . so it would be a huge help . well i'll see what the smith says tonight but i'm sure keeping it 22 jet will be a fun little rifle & something to talk about at the range . thanks all for the input you may have saved another remington jet & brought her back to life .

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2011, 06:34:03 AM »

PM me your info, I've sent reloading components to OZ before with no problems, IIRC you will need to get a form locally to send to me that I will attach to a flat rate priority box, takes about 10 days, I'll have to find the specifics in my PMs.

Tim

deadkelly · « **Reply #21 on:** August 21, 2011, 10:02:14 PM »

awesome

. that will help so much thanks quickdtoo . i'll pm ya mate .

geezerbiker · « **Reply #22 on:** August 21, 2011, 11:12:19 PM »

I've stopped shipping by priority mail from business here in Oregon to AU or NZ. They shipments cannot be insured and were coming up missing all too often. Now I only use express mail. The shipping is 2x as much but they don't come up missing and get there in 4 or 5 days rather than 3 to 6 weeks.

I'm not going to say what my business is (non-gun) but I do ship outside the USA rather frequently...

Tony

deadkelly · « **Reply #23 on:** September 05, 2011, 11:09:48 PM »

hey thanks guys for the feed back . sorry i've been gone awhile my dad had a bad heart attack & been tired from work .
anyway i shot the topper yesterday & it was great . i shot 410 ga soild's & 30/30 at 25 & 50 meters . with open sights & free standing i was keeping all shots in the kill zone . the 30/30 seems to average 1 3/4 - 2 inch at 25 meter & 2- 3 inch at 50 meters . i'm very happy with this little rifle . i think there's gona be 2 new h&r owners soon , the 2 guys next to me at the range seemed very impressed with the way i could switch between barrels in 15 - 20 seconds . i let them know about this site also .

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #24 on:** September 06, 2011, 08:34:19 AM »

DK you'll really be able to tighten up the groups with the old 30/30 they are very accurate with a little load development and practice you should be able to cloverleaf 3 shots freehand @25 meters in no time .That is just one of the many things that make these fine old shooters so appealing. Kurt