Author Topic: Thoughts on switch barreled Handi rifle (Read 1462 times)

geezerbiker · « **on:** October 03, 2012, 08:37:09 PM »

I'm about to ship one of my SB2's off to have the .17 barrel chambered and fit and I decided to tinker with the stocks a bit. Part of the project would be to have one gun with 3 barrels, .17 Hornet, .44 mag and 20 gauge shotgun.

Anyway I put the wood stock off my .223 Handi on the .44 and the comb is so high that I would have to scope it. The .17 Hornet would certainly be scoped but this makes it so that the shotgun bead would be way off. Taking a belt sander to the stock would let me line up on the iron sights but I don't think it would be helpful for shooting with a scope.

Other options would be to sell the .44 barrel and put the money towards a new .444 Marlin. I know where I can get new one for a bit under $300 but is has a scope rail rather than iron sights like I'd rather have. I really want a .444M anyway but I'm in the middle of a move and I'm a bit strapped for cash but I don't know how long new .444M's will be around.

So how do you guys with switch barrel guns handle this problem? I'm not sure why exactly a switch barrel gun is so appealing to me but I've always wanted one.

BTW, the .223 is getting a new Boyd's stock.

Tony

keith44 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2012, 08:56:36 PM »

Well, I haven't really noticed any problems. I have two receivers and 5 barrels (two 20 ga., a .44 Mag, a .45-70, and a .22 K-Hornet) I mostly shoot open sights, but the K-Hornet is scoped only. I tend to use the Hornet barrel with its original frame and stock set, but the rest of the barrels get swapped around quite often.

Dinny · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2012, 10:27:43 PM »

Tony,
I would recommend two receivers with two different stock sets and adding barrels to them both. One with a low comb stock for shooting with beads and sights and the other with a high comb stock for shooting with scopes. SB2 receivers will give you the most versatility.
I think I have only 4 receivers and 6-8 barrels. They all fit one of them.

Thanks, Dinny

geezerbiker · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2012, 12:04:03 AM »

fortunately for me my .44 mag came on a SB2 receiver and the plan was to add the 17 Hornet and 20 gauge to it for a 3 barrel set and I would keep it in one hard case.

I suppose I have to either get used to shooting with a scope on a low comb stock or have 2 switch barrel rifles. I was pretty sure my 2 SB2's had exactly the same fit for the barrels but with a little more swapping and fiddling, I've found that my .223 is a tiny bit tighter on barrel fit. The .44 doesn't fit as well on the .223 as the other way round. I'm not sure if the difference is enough to be a problem or I'd just have 2 frames and a bunch of barrels to swap around. One of these days I'm going to try shooting the barrels on the other frame to see if there's a problem. They seem to lock up OK but the .223 has less play in the release lever than I'm used to with the .44 barrel on it.

I'd like to eventually add a .30-30 AI and the a fore mentioned .444M to the mix and then I think I'll be set for all my Handi needs. Anyway maybe I'm over thinking this... Regardless I'm packing it up to go in the next couple days and I can figure it out when it gets back in a couple months. One thing for sure, I'm tired of the plastic stock on the one.

How do you guys keep it straight when you're talking about the different SB2 frames you have? Do you refer to them by the year or date code for the year or the original caliber that came on them like I'm trying to do?

Tony

cwlongshot · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2012, 12:07:21 AM »

I gave up on the premice some years back and I am happier for it. Some like it, more power to them! I don't do it anymore.

BUT The new T/C Bolt swap barrel that gaurenties 1 MOA is mighty interesting... only thing Is I have all calibers I "need" that its offered in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUa68KBuBeY

CW

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2012, 12:27:08 AM »

I got tired of that in a hurry. After the first year or so with Handis all were on their own dedicated stocks and frames. It also eliminates possible accuracy issues related to forend torque, etc. Whenever I need one in a hurry it's there, ready to go, loaded and able. Besides, loose barrels look at you with tears in their eyes like orphaned children.

Be kind to them and give them a home.

Pete

Jason F · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2012, 02:44:56 AM »

Complete guns are the way to go. Easier to line them up in safe. Ready when you need them.

Dinny · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2012, 02:57:56 AM »

Mine all have dedicated forends that are pillar bedded. No accuracy issues. I leave my most favorite barrel on during storage and always have a loaded ammo belt on the stock. That tip came from someone that posted higher in this topic.

Also, I ran out of gun slots in my safe long ago. It's easier for me to store extra barrels on the shelf. I can't afford to leave any of them outside the firesafe. Have any of you ever lived in Lawton, OK? Your gun could be on a wooden shelf in the living room one day and in someone else's house the next.

Thanks, Dinny

alan in ga · « **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2012, 03:07:38 AM »

'switchbarrel-itis' is fun for a while, but I found that it required trips to the range to be SURE any newly assembled rifle WAS sighted in, reguardless of how you set it up and 'supposed to be' sighted in. For me there is no shortcut to actually SHOOTING the rifle to be sure, before risking a shot at game. Collimators can get you really close but not what I consider 'for sure' especially if long range game shots are possible.
If I had not made several switch barrel bolt action rifles on my own lathe and friend's lathes [metric], and tinkered with them a lot, I probably would still have to build one or more switch barrel rigs just to see what they were all about. HOWEVER, after having them for many years I believe a READY TO GO rifle is much better to have. As I get older I just don't have as much time to play 'musical barrels and scopes' as I used to. Too much fishing and hunting [I mostly bow hunt now] to do. I don't want several 'partial guns' around that will need some tinkering and a trip to the range before they are ASSURED 'ready'.
I also had maybe a dozen Handi rifles through the years and sent the receivers in for factory fitted extra barrels. It was fun and I wanted to do it, but there came a time when I said "ok, enough of that, I want 'ready to go' rifles around me now".
AND, Handi rifles are so inexpensive.....no better reason to have as many as you can afford around in COMPLETE 'ready to go' form!

keith44 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:13:34 AM »

When I started this I first bought a used .22 K-Hornet with scope and sling. I had the .44 Mag barrel factory fitted. The Hornet was nickel with black synthetic stock set. The .44 Mag bbl was blued. Next I bought a 45-70 (blued frame), then tried the fit of the .44 to that frame...perfect fit without alterations. This lead to the purchase of two 20 ga barrels, they also fit the blued frame nicely, but a shade tight.

So to keep them straight, at a glance the color tells me all I need to know. For conversation, I refer to original caliber.

As far as accuracy issues, well mine are short range calibers, most with open or bead sights (which is the way I like it) so I do not see accuracy issues switching barrels. Now if you are after MOA or sub-MOA accuracy with a scoped rig at ranges beyond 125 yards, then yes a trip to the range is in order.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2012, 11:29:55 AM »

I'll take it out when it gets back and try it with both barrels and if I have to do a lot of adjusting after switching barrels, I'll either sell the .44 barrel and buy another whole .44 or another SB2 action to fit it to.

I don't have to worry about gun safe space, I recently bought a 40 gun safe for the house I'm moving into. The only problem is I'll have about a dozen empty slots and I don't know if that's good or bad...

Tony

hoytcanon · « **Reply #11 on:** October 04, 2012, 02:12:54 PM »

I have a number of switch barrel sets;

1. SB1 frame with 17 HM2, 17 HMR and 22 WMR barrels.
2. SB2 frame with .243, .30/30 and .308 Win barrels
3. SB2 frame with .223, .25/06 and 7mm-08 barrels
4. SB2 frame with .17 Hornet and .22 Hornet barrels
5. SB2 frame with 300 AAC BLK and 7.62X39 barrels (I call this my Black Russian set... Boyd's Sterling stocks in textured black)
6. SB1 frame with .410, 20 ga. (upland) and 12 ga. (turkey) barrels

Accuracy has never been a problem... I did the fitting of all barrels to their respective receivers myself. As noted above, I range test all barrel change set-ups BEFORE shooting at game. I have never mixed shotgun barrels and rifles barrels on a single frame, so I can't comment on cheekweld problems... but I can get my eye down the pipe of my .410 and still am comfortable looking through my turkey red dot sight... and this is with a Boyd's Sterling stock set.

tacklebury · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2012, 03:45:37 PM »

I have zero issues with my switch barrel, of course I rarely use scopes. One thing you might consider is a leather lace on cheekrest for when you use a scope and it can be removed when not needed for your iron sights.

Example: http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=157928&CAT=4017

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2012, 04:09:46 AM »

Quote from: geezerbiker on October 03, 2012, 08:37:09 PM

Anyway I put the wood stock off my .223 Handi on the .44 and the comb is so high that I would have to scope it. The .17 Hornet would certainly be scoped but this makes it so that the shotgun bead would be way off. Taking a belt sander to the stock would let me line up on the iron sights but I don't think it would be helpful for shooting with a scope.

So how do you guys with switch barrel guns handle this problem? I'm not sure why exactly a switch barrel gun is so appealing to me but I've always wanted one.

Tony

I recommend a minimum of two frames, one set up with high comb (M/C stock), and the other with a low comb (straight stock). Use the M/C stock for scoped rifle barrels, and the low comb for shotgun, and iron sighted barrels. It's called the "Handi-itis" virus, and it's contagious.

Quote from: petemi on October 04, 2012, 12:27:08 AM

I got tired of that in a hurry. After the first year or so with Handis all were on their own dedicated stocks and frames. It also eliminates possible accuracy issues related to forend torque, etc. Whenever I need one in a hurry it's there, ready to go, loaded and able. Besides, loose barrels look at you with tears in their eyes like orphaned children. Be kind to them and give them a home.

Pete

Quote from: Jason F on October 04, 2012, 02:44:56 AM

Complete guns are the way to go. Easier to line them up in safe. Ready when you need them.

I agree with petemi, and Jason F. Unfortunately, I have quite a few orphans. Don't have room in safes, to buy them all a new home

, guess they have to live in an apartment building for now.

Quote from: geezerbiker on October 04, 2012, 11:29:55 AM

I don't have to worry about gun safe space, I recently bought a 40 gun safe for the house I'm moving into. The only problem is I'll have about a dozen empty slots and I don't know if that's good or bad...

Tony

Trust me, the empty slots will fill up quickly. It's all good, more room, and excuses for the "Handi-itis".

S8Raz · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2012, 04:11:18 AM »

The draw for me to the Handi platform was switch-barrel.
Other than forarm screw torque, isn't the effort of opening and closing the action the same as removing a barrel?
I am slightly new to the Handi business and still working out the idiosyncracies of my three barrel setup on an SB2 originally purchased as a 223Ult (30-30 & 30-06). All three are currently what I'd consider hunting-accurate. 223 is ~1.5"; 30-30 is ~2", -06 ~ 2.5" @115yds. Clay birds @ the range backstop (175yds) can be broken with any of them. Might not be clover leafs yet, but I'm working on it. I'm blaming my cheesy home-made rest

and no rear bag. I will however check my zero before taking either of the 30's in the field this year.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2012, 07:38:09 AM »

I tried it for a while, then found that the 'wrong' barrel seemed to be on the frame for the shoot of the day........ $:-\$ .
That and Im getting to where I almost need a notebook to refer to for getting myself past breakfast, much less whats on what where

.
So Im down to the 22LR open sight/ 22M scoped swapper and Ol' Ugly Overkill in 12ga that shoots shot so well with the sighted Buck barrel that the bird barrel hasnt gone back on; I mostly like 'grab & go'.

garbhead · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2012, 04:08:44 AM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on October 06, 2012, 07:38:09 AM

That and Im getting to where I almost need a notebook to refer to for getting myself past breakfast, much less whats on what where .

That's funny...I thought "That is me , too" then I looked at your profile and we are the same age LOL....

gcrank1 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2012, 04:33:32 AM »

Im in good company

!

geezerbiker · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2012, 01:12:04 PM »

I'm thinking hard about adding a 3rd Handi to my collection. The .233 will be dedicated to it's action, the .44 will probably get the scope put back on to match the one on the .17 Hornet.

Bud's Gun shop has iron sighted .30-30 Handi rifles for $254 and that's almost more temptation than I can handle. Anyway I'll save the .20 gauge barrel to go with an iron sighted .30-30 that will be reamed to .30-30 AI so I won't mix up the loads for my other .30-30.

If the .44 mag won't play nice swapping out on the on the same action as the .17 Hornet, I'll sell the .44 barrel and put the proceeds toward a CVA .44 mag Scout. I'm not all that thrilled to have to get a .444 to get a .429 bore with a 1 in 20 rifling twist rate. So anyway it's looking like one or 2 less empty slots in the gun safe by spring...

Tony

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2012, 02:19:32 PM »

while multibarrel units sound good, up here, getting barrels sans receivers is near impossible

I HAVE found a rifled 20ga trackerII, and a 12ga barrel. I'm leaving the 20ga as it, as it has sights, but the 12ga will get shortened to something "Handi" like about 18.5", and rifle sights for RoundBall shooting, and short range grouse loads

all my rifles have their own receivers.

now, I just have to try each receiver to see which one fits which barrels the best.....

223 FWT with SynStock
45/70 x 2 wood stock 22"
45/70 wood stock with 18.5"
357mag SynStock
Wishlist:
35Whelen x 2
30-30Win
357Mag/Maxxed out
357Mag/358 Rechamber
44Mag/44-303BritSHORT rechamber

geezerbiker · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2012, 03:06:07 PM »

Nanuk, I'm assuming you're in Canada. Any chance you could take a vacation south of the boarder and sneak in a barrel? I don't think gun parts (not counting a receiver) would be a problem at the boarder. I'm in NW Oregon and I would hold onto one for you but there's probably 10 others that would do the same that are closer to you.

I really like single shot rifles for no reason I can explain or I wouldn't have 3 already and planning or 3 more.

Tony

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2012, 05:04:50 PM »

geezerbiker

thanks for the offer

but getting caught with a barrel heading north buys one about 5 years in jail, or a $10k fine or something like that as has been discussed up here many times.....

Crazy I know, but I guess the HSA thinks we Canucks are crack shots!

geezerbiker · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2012, 06:13:28 PM »

I had no idea you guys had it that bad.

Tony

FPH · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2012, 06:29:10 PM »

Are you guys able to switch barrels with out a gun smiths help, or must the barrel and action be mated?

geezerbiker · « **Reply #24 on:** October 08, 2012, 08:25:37 PM »

Sometimes they just fit, sometimes it only takes a little to make a barrel fit and other times it requires a pro to install it.

Tony

FPH · « **Reply #25 on:** October 08, 2012, 08:51:42 PM »

OK Thanks, I was curious as how it worked.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #26 on:** October 09, 2012, 04:50:54 AM »

Quote from: FPH on October 08, 2012, 06:29:10 PM

Are you guys able to switch barrels with out a gun smiths help, or must the barrel and action be mated?

From the FAQs:

Will Second Hand Barrels Fit?

If they don't fit, barrel fitting is covered in detail in the FAQs, H&R will also attemp to fit second hand barrels for the fitting and shipping costs.

Tim