No smoothbore/rifle-sighted barrels?

[PeterCartwright]

Just picked up a used 20 ga. Pardner (break action) fixed, modified barrel gun.  It was bit neglected, but completely redeemable with bright, clear bore and tight lock up.  I haven't looked at the H&R barrel accessory site for a while.  I thought it used to offer a smoothbored/rifle sighted barrel.  Maybe my memory is incorrect and/or maybe things have simply changed.  Also, I see two rifled barrel options (one with sights and the other with a scope mount).  Should I assume that the scope base barrel is a heavy barrel and the iron sighted barrel is standard?  Sorry for the elementary questions.


Anybody shortened a smoothbore barrel and installed (receiver and front) sights?


PC

[tacklebury]

Sounds like you have a Tracker I which was a smooth bore with sights.  Designed to shoot rifled slugs only.  Patterning is poor with buckshot due to lack of choke.  They do well with the cheap remmy sluggers or win super x sluggers.    The new ones are Tracker II's. 

[PeterCartwright]

Sorry for the confusion.  The gun I picked up is a standard, shotgun barrel (front bead only).  I'm interested buying or modifying a smoothbore barrel (for Foster and Brenneke type projectiles) with a front sight and a barrel mounted rear "peep" sight (ala Williams 5D).


PC

[tacklebury]

Sorry for the confusion.  The gun I picked up is a standard, shotgun barrel (front bead only).  I'm interested buying or modifying a smoothbore barrel (for Foster and Brenneke type projectiles) with a front sight and a barrel mounted rear "peep" sight (ala Williams 5D).


PC

My bad, must have misread.  You could watch for one or post a WTB in the H&R Classifieds/Wanted areas, for a Tracker I.  This would already have the sights. 
Another option would be to sent the gun back to the factory to have a factory fitted choke barrel added to the frame that would let you mount sights on the rib.

20 Ga 28” Vent-Rib, Screw-in Choke (Sold Separately)  #

FS03344

$85.00

http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp
 
Or you could try adding a barrel band style front sight after removing the bead.  And then Epoxy a rear sight in place or have a smith drill and tap it for a sight. 
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/383858/ruger-front-sight-base-ruger-number-1-tropical-stainless-steel  might be too small
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/440385/necg-masterpiece-banded-front-ramp-using-interchangeable-front-sight-827-inside-diameter-362-height-steel-in-the-white  Little pricey

[gcrank1]

Or try shooting that barrel you have with the WW/Fed/Rem Foster type slug loads and see just how good it already is. A bunch of guys use them and they get the job done at 'iron sight' ranges.
If it will group, but not really where you are looking, think about getting it D/Ted for a scope mount and put a low power shotgun scope, or 'RedDot' on it for a real hunting machine.

[PeterCartwright]

Or try shooting that barrel you have with the WW/Fed/Rem Foster type slug loads and see just how good it already is. A bunch of guys use them and they get the job done at 'iron sight' ranges.
If it will group, but not really where you are looking, think about getting it D/Ted for a scope mount and put a low power shotgun scope, or 'RedDot' on it for a real hunting machine.

Thanks!  Your advice is a great reminder about where to start.  My kid brother had a a carbon copy of this gun when he was a kid.  I remember putting some Brenneke's through it and was amazed by how well they printed-both in terms of regulation and grouping.  I won't do anything stupid until I try the gun "as is".


PC