Author Topic: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet  (Read 1088 times)

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Offline Joe S.

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Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« on: March 21, 2013, 08:10:57 AM »
Stopped in at one of my local haunts today and saw an old Topper sitting on the rack. I asked to see it, hoping for a Model 158 30-30 like my daughters. What she handed me was a Model 58, in 22 Hornet!! To make matters worse, it has a vintage Redfield 2-7 Wideview scope on it... sigh... out comes the card... "AS" serial number, so 1978 mfg... so that is the first year of the transfer bars i think?

I had intended to sell the rifle off and keep the scope for my old Marlin saddle ring or something, and then my wife saw it, and LOVES it! So I MAY be keeping it now...

Anyway, here she is. Are these desirable? I like it!

this is nuts... tryin to make the pic work... got it! man that was painful...


 
Joe S.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2013, 08:14:38 AM »
Congrats Joe, nice find!!  ;)

Tim
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Offline Dinny

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2013, 08:14:45 AM »
Just in case your wife changes her mind, I know someone else who's looking for a lighter contour 22 Hornet barrel. ::)

Nice find!

Thanks, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

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Offline Joe S.

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2013, 08:16:35 AM »
keep ya in mind -Dinny... since, she didnt blow a fuse at me buying it, i may just keep it for myself if she dont like it. i REALLY like the case color on this reciever. it is the most pronounced of any i have/ currently own(ed).

do these take .223, or .224 sized bullets? i have heard some of the older ones took an actual .223. or do you have to just slug the barrel to know for sure?
Joe S.
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Offline Dinny

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2013, 08:23:45 AM »
keep ya in mind -Dinny... since, she didnt blow a fuse at me buying it, i may just keep it for myself if she dont like it.

I wouldn't blame you one little bit, I'd do the same.  ;)

Thanks, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2013, 08:24:51 AM »
I wouldn't worry about the bore size Joe, I've shot Speer .284" bullets which actually measure .2835" in my overbore 270 Ackley Handi with a .2795" bore with no problems, just work the load up as usual, I think modern factory Hornet ammo is used in all hornet rifles, I found no warnings to the contrary anyway.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,254942.msg1099499121.html#msg1099499121

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Offline v8r

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2013, 08:32:26 AM »
I would keep that. Nice vintage rifle (If you call 70s vintage!) with a cool vintage scope. I would keep it as is and enjoy.
When I found my Topper 158 in a gunshop it had a butstock on it that the previous owner modified ( looked like a beaver had chewed on it!).
When I picked it up it was a .22 Hornet and had to be rescued. I purchased it replaced the butstock, fitted the factory plastic butplate to the new stock and refinished it.
I installed a vintage Weaver k2.5 with fine cross hairs on it, and it will shoot very nice tight groups at a 100 yards if I concentrate due to the trigger pull being awful.
V8r's Handi collection.
H&R Ultra Varmint .223
H&R Topper 158 .22 Hornet
H&R Classic Carbine .45 LC
NEF  .357 magnum
H&R "Golden Buffalo" Buffalo Classic 45-70
NEF Pardner !2 Gauge

Offline YRUpunting?

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2013, 08:38:03 AM »
A hornet riding shotgun!  8)  That one is desirable in my book.


Offline Joe S.

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2013, 09:36:11 AM »
thanks for the comments guys! thanks for that info Quick. im gonna play with it some... shouldnt have sold my brass and dies... :-/
Joe S.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2013, 09:41:54 AM »
Since ya need dies, get the Lee Collet die, good medicine for reloading the 22 Hornet.  ;)

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline Joe S.

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2013, 09:51:57 AM »
will look into that!
Joe S.
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Offline YRUpunting?

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2013, 10:44:00 AM »
Get the Lee factory crimp die as well.  Graf's had brass a few weeks ago.

Offline Dinny

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2013, 12:26:14 PM »
I'm a big fan of the RCBS X sizing dies. They limit the overall growth of cases and eventually eliminate the need to trim.

Thanks, Dinny
Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

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Offline frgerald

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2013, 12:27:40 PM »
Since this is a "Topper" subject...hope this is the right place to ask.  Will a Topper barrel fit on a handi frame???  Gerald
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2013, 12:30:27 PM »
Yup, fit fine, I have an M158 30-30 barrel on a modern SB2 frame, but don't let the frame strength give anyone ideas of hot roddin the vintage barrel, it still has an silver soldered underlug, but they sure are much nicer to carry.  ;)

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline frgerald

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #15 on: March 21, 2013, 12:34:13 PM »
Great...Thx.   ;D
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Offline Joe S.

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2013, 12:34:38 PM »
They sure do make a good totin gun!!
Joe S.
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #17 on: March 22, 2013, 08:00:14 AM »
The bore is more than likely? .221 w/a 1-16" twist. I've shot both .223 and .224 out of mine and @ least for me the .223's shoot a tad tighter the dif being do you shoot at dimes or quarters ;) Kurt
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Offline spooked

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #18 on: March 22, 2013, 08:14:33 AM »
The bore is more than likely? .221 w/a 1-16" twist. I've shot both .223 and .224 out of mine and @ least for me the .223's shoot a tad tighter the dif being do you shoot at dimes or quarters ;) Kurt

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Offline whetrock

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Re: Topper Model 58 in 22 Hornet
« Reply #19 on: March 22, 2013, 09:09:44 AM »
Looks grand. The 22 Hornet is an interesting and venerable cartridge for sure. That would make for one handy set up. A real critter slayer.