Author Topic: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?  (Read 1891 times)

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Offline Riverhog45

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What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« on: November 14, 2011, 03:35:41 AM »
I bought a box of gun parts from a defunked gun shop and found a H&R rifle frame in the box. My Smith looked it over and said it has all its parts and is in good shape. After I  sold him rest of the junk from the parts box I made enough to fund a barrel and stock. Not bad on a gamble. Now to decide what barrel. My Smith said in a H&R 30-30 is the way to go but I have never owned a 45-70. And how are the long range barrels from H&R like 308, 25-06, 7mm08, 30-06 are they accurate? I will use it mainly as a plinker, but might use it on a deer or two.
RiverHog 

Offline Old Fart

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2011, 04:06:48 AM »
I'd like to be the first to say my favorite is my 45-70 BC.  ;D
 
But I like them all.  ;)
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Offline mdwest

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2011, 04:23:24 AM »
First question is...
 
do you have an SB1 or an SB2 frame?

If its an SB1 you are going to be much more limited in what barrels you can mount to it..
 
The FAQ thread has some very good information about how to tell and SB1 from an SB2..
 
 
30-30 or 45-70 will work on either an SB1 or SB2..
 
.308, 25-06, 7mm08, and 30-06 are all limited to the SB2 only.
 
 
 

Offline Riverhog45

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2011, 05:06:29 AM »
It is a 2004 sb2 based in the info on this site and my what the Smith said. Thanks for the responses.


Offline thejanitor

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2011, 06:03:16 AM »
We like our 7-08s but there are MANY that will fit your bill, the 45-70, 44 mag, .357 mag. and 30-30 do seem to be among the most trouble free.... Good job on the gamble, glad it didn't go the other way on you. Welcome to the club,  thejanitor
 

Offline APEX PREDATOR

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2011, 08:43:18 AM »
25 06 shooting 1inch groups and my 22hornet groups are tighter....
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Offline Swampman

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2011, 08:45:18 AM »
I would avoid anything without a rim.  My favorites are the .45-70 and the .30-30.
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline spikehorn

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2011, 09:36:04 AM »
+1 on swampmans recomendations
308 win                 45-70                       12ga         
30-30                    223 stainless steel   20ga TDC
44 mag                  Tracker II 20ga        20ga
45-70 Manlicher     20ga USH                28ga
                                                              410ga

Offline DARKCLOUD

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2011, 09:56:08 AM »
what calibers do not have rims?
thank you
mark

Offline redlinecustomsms

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2011, 10:04:52 AM »
.223, .243, 25-06, .270, .308, 30-06 and there may be others. Those are the first ones that came to mind.

Offline manatee1947

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2011, 10:35:17 AM »
rimmed are Hornet, 357, 30/30, 44. 444, 45/70, 500 S&W. The 30/30 & 45/70 are most common and almost fool proof.
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Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2011, 01:48:46 PM »
Of the ones  you listed for long range "308, 25-06, 7mm08, 30-06" Just pick the one you like they all have good track records. ;D
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Offline Swampman

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2011, 02:45:35 PM »
If they had rims they'd be great in the Handi Rifle.
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline redlinecustomsms

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2011, 04:19:43 PM »

 
30-30 or 45-70 will work on either an SB1 or SB2..
 
.

Is this correct? It says in the FAQ that they won't work on the SB1.

Offline Ol BW

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2011, 04:40:46 PM »
Now dont go talking too bad about rimless chamberings in Handi's, all mine have been rimless and never had a problem.  I have a couple of friends who each have Handi's with rimless chamberings and never had so much as a hiccup.  Between the three of us there are a 30-06, 270, 7.62x39, and two .243's and each of thoes were several years in between. (some folks here swear that some years are better than others)  Maybe I have just been lucky, but of the 3 that I have owned they give 0 trouble and very accurate to boot. 

Offline keith44

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #15 on: November 14, 2011, 07:25:31 PM »
I have no experience with rimless cases in a Handi, but have nothing but praise for the rimmed cases I shoot (.44 Mag, .45-70, .22K Hornet)  It seems to me that the rimmed cartridges would be easier to eject and load, but others seem to have great luck with rimless cases.
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Offline mdwest

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #16 on: November 15, 2011, 01:05:33 AM »

 
30-30 or 45-70 will work on either an SB1 or SB2..
 
.

Is this correct? It says in the FAQ that they won't work on the SB1.

We just had a discussion on this in another thread...
 
both the 30-30 and the 45-70 at one time came on SB1 frames.. and apparently there are a number of people here that still have these guns and/or have fitted these barrels to SB1 frames with success..
 
the PSI produced by 45-70 trapdoor loads is substantially less than what a 44 mag produces (28K vs 36K)... the 30-30 produces a bit more pressure at 42K... which crosses the magic 40K line that many feel is the "safe" zone on an SB1.. but again, they used to come from the factory on SB1 frames.. and many people apparently still mount them to SB1 frames without issue/problem..
 
All that said, the factory will not mount these barrels for you.. if you want to go the 45-70 or 30-30 on an SB1 frame route, you would have to purchase a bbl from an individual and fit/assemble it yourself..
 
 
 

Offline redlinecustomsms

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #17 on: November 15, 2011, 02:46:43 AM »
Thanks for clearing that up. I thought that was the deal.

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #18 on: November 15, 2011, 04:27:40 AM »
both the 30-30 and the 45-70 at one time came on SB1 frames.. and apparently there are a number of people here that still have these guns and/or have fitted these barrels to SB1 frames with success..
 
the PSI produced by 45-70 trapdoor loads is substantially less than what a 44 mag produces (28K vs 36K)... the 30-30 produces a bit more pressure at 42K... which crosses the magic 40K line that many feel is the "safe" zone on an SB1.. but again, they used to come from the factory on SB1 frames.. and many people apparently still mount them to SB1 frames without issue/problem..
 


That's not exactly true, the 30-30 and 45-70 have never been offered on SB1 frames which have only been made since 1987, the cast iron frames made by H&R Inc prior to that were offered on some models in 30-30 and 45-70 tho, SB1 frames are also cast iron which is why the confusion.  ???

And the pressure isn't the only factor in considering frame strength, the size of the case head(not the rim) is the other half of the equation, both have to be considered, see bolt thrust in the link below.  ;)

Tim

http://www.riflebarrels.com/articles/custom_actions/bolt_lug_strength.htm
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #19 on: November 15, 2011, 05:19:41 AM »
Quick, you maybe ought to make up a 'canned response' to be able to plug into these repeat questions, might save you some precious time!  ;) ,
ah, but there is nothing like your personal attention...... ;D ;D
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Offline OldSchoolRanger

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #20 on: November 15, 2011, 05:34:43 AM »
If your question is just most reliable, meaning accuracy and reliability in ejection/extraction, I would have to agree with Swampman and spikehorn. 
That's not to say the other chamberings are bad, it's just that the 30-30, and 45-70 are in my opinion more trouble free when it comes to accuracy and ejection/extraction.  It's almost imposible to get a bad 30-30, or 45-70 barrel.
"You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts." - Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan

When you allow a lie to go unchallenged, it becomes the truth.

My quandary, I personally, don't think I have enough Handi's but, I know I have more Handi's than I really need or should have.

Offline Weatherman68

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #21 on: November 15, 2011, 07:36:09 AM »
I have a couple of 45-70's and a couple of 30-06's among others.  The 45-70's are accurate if you don't mind the rainbow trajectory.  I have one 30-06 that you can cover up the holes (3 shot groups) with a nickle at 100 yards and another one that best case is 1 1/2" groups.  Same ammo.  I would say it depends on what and where you hunt that would be the determing factor.  I really don't think you can go wrong no matter what you pick as long as you have the right caliber for the job at hand. ;)
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Offline tobster

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #22 on: November 15, 2011, 07:43:25 AM »
Unless you turn around and walk away immediately, your question will soon be what should my SECOND barrel be chambered in, and on and on it will go. Now that you have been duly warned, I think you would really enjoy the 45-70 as your first barrel.

Offline tobster

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #23 on: November 15, 2011, 07:47:08 AM »
What I meant to say was the .45 Colt.

Offline tobster

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #24 on: November 15, 2011, 07:48:35 AM »
After giving it a little more consideration, I think the .22 Hornet would be your best bet.

Offline Swampman

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #25 on: November 15, 2011, 07:49:59 AM »
If I could only have one, it would be a .45-70.
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline tobster

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #26 on: November 15, 2011, 07:52:14 AM »
Of course the 30-30 has the rim and would be a lot more versatile...........

Offline Jimbo47

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #27 on: November 15, 2011, 08:09:35 AM »
Of course the 30-30 has the rim and would be a lot more versatile...........

The 30-30 is a great old round but.......
 
 
If not only reliable but versatile where the question, you would have a hands down winner with the 45-70 since it is also rimmed and like the 30-30 you can load it for plinking with super mild loads using Trailboss powder, but on the other end you can load it heavy for anything that walks in north America, and it's been used in Africa on dangerous game.
 
It can be a mild straight shooter fun gun or get down to serious business and knock your dentures loose every time you shoot it if you so deem necessary.
My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline Riverhog45

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #28 on: November 16, 2011, 12:59:44 AM »
Thanks for all the replies. You guys are right hard to chose just one, might have to make my own trifecta 44mag+30-30win+45-70gov.

Offline Jimbo47

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Re: What are H&Rs most reliable barrels?
« Reply #29 on: November 16, 2011, 02:29:20 AM »
Thanks for all the replies. You guys are right hard to chose just one, might have to make my own trifecta 44mag+30-30win+45-70gov.

Or this......38 special /.357 mag. /.357 Maximum+30/30+45-70
My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.