Author Topic: Most economic way to have a 32 H&R Mag handi-rifle? (Read 1729 times)

DakotaElkSlayer · « **on:** April 23, 2013, 05:02:20 PM »

Since you guys have been doing custom barrels for years, I was wondering if I could get some input on getting a handi in 32 H&R Mag? What is the best way to go about it? Gunsmiths that do this type of work? And, a ballpark figure on the cost?

Thanks,

Jim

trotterlg · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2013, 05:37:10 PM »

Best barrel out there for cost and performance with cast bullets seems to be a British 303 barrel. Gunparts inc has them for a bout $60.00 they are marked DP (drill purpose only) which usually indicates they had excess head space. I have never gotten a bad one. They will finish off at about 21 inches stubbed into a Handi. They work great on both the 32 H&R's and 32-20's. Larry

Ranch13 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2013, 05:42:19 PM »

If you have a gunsmith nearby (as opposed to a gunparts changer) you might be in good form to have him line a 357 barrel.

cudatruck · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2013, 05:50:00 PM »

I'm saving my pennies for one! but i want it chambered for .327 federal mag. then it will shoot the 32 H&R mag the .32 S&W long and the 32 S&W short!

trotterlg · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2013, 06:46:58 PM »

Search gunparts inc for this part number. Larry

1219060

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2013, 05:01:04 AM »

Thanks for the input so far, guys. No idea, cheaper to stub or to reline a barrel?

Jim

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2013, 05:05:52 AM »

Wayne charges $350 and up for a liner. If'n ya wanted to DIY, liners aren't expensive.

Tim

http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/About-Us---Services.html

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/637/1/LINER-40-65

Ranch13 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2013, 05:07:38 AM »

Cheaper isn't usually the best route.
Going with the reline you will have a barrel that is already square with the hingeblock clearance between the barrel face and the breechblock are correct, and the sights will be centered on the top, and if using a 357 barrel or even a 22 hornet, the extractor/ejector will be pretty close to the right size/shape.
Plus if you are even halfway handy with tools you can do a reline with your own drill and then only need to rent/buy a reamer and headspace guage.

Just a couple of things for you to ponder.

Jason F · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2013, 08:29:22 AM »

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/637/1/LINER-40-65?PageSize=100

Barrel liners by the inch.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2013, 09:35:44 AM »

Thanks a bunch guys. Have any of you seen a "how to" on installing a barrel liner on the net?

Jim

trotterlg · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2013, 09:47:18 AM »

I can tell you for sure that you cannot drill out a barrel and have it end up straight and on center by drilling it with a hand drill or even a drill press. The only way to get a straight hole is to turn the barrel around the drill in a lathe. It may seem that ether way is the same, but it is not. The quick simple way will work, but it will not be right. Larry

Ranch13 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2013, 11:11:32 AM »

Quote from: DakotaElkSlayer on April 24, 2013, 09:35:44 AM

Thanks a bunch guys. Have any of you seen a "how to" on installing a barrel liner on the net?

Jim

Don't know if there's a youtube on it or not. It is discussed in a number of different books. You use a piloted drill bit and drill the old barrel out usually from both ends. Brownells sells the drill bits and liners, you might find the intrusctions from them also.

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2013, 02:26:13 PM »

if yo get a Brit barrel, perhaps consider not getting the two groove ones.

I have no experience yet with cast in mine, but I've read lots on folks having trouble with cast in the two grooves. The 5grooves are much easier, so say the cast gurus.

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2013, 02:27:17 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on April 24, 2013, 09:47:18 AM

I can tell you for sure that you cannot drill out a barrel and have it end up straight and on center by drilling it with a hand drill or even a drill press. The only way to get a straight hole is to turn the barrel around the drill in a lathe. It may seem that ether way is the same, but it is not. The quick simple way will work, but it will not be right. Larry

even with a piloted drill?

audrey1216 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:15:13 PM »

By the time a guy buys the drill bit, I doubt they would be money ahead by trying to do this yourself, especially if you couldn't cut the chamber by hand. Still it seems like it would be fun. Has anyone here relined a barrel at home (without a lathe)?

jlwilliams · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2013, 01:57:57 PM »

Stubbing vs lining may boil down to the preference of the smith/machinist doing the job. Assuming you get it done instead of doing it yourself, a smith who has relined dozens of barrels but hasn't stubbed any may be just plain better equipped and more confident to do it that way. On the other hand, stubbing a barrel is pretty straight forward if you are set up for it. I'd start by finding a suitable shop and talking to the smith.

Are you leaning toward having it done or doing it yourself?

Spanky · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2013, 02:05:41 PM »

Do yourself a favor and listen to Larry (Trotterlg)... he knows what he's talking about. Anyone who wants to see and shoot something he's built is welcome to come shoot my 32-20 Trotter Special. The man knows his craft and it shows in the quality of his work.

Spanky

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #17 on:** April 26, 2013, 06:37:03 PM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on April 25, 2013, 01:57:57 PM

Stubbing vs lining may boil down to the preference of the smith/machinist doing the job. Assuming you get it done instead of doing it yourself, a smith who has relined dozens of barrels but hasn't stubbed any may be just plain better equipped and more confident to do it that way. On the other hand, stubbing a barrel is pretty straight forward if you are set up for it. I'd start by finding a suitable shop and talking to the smith.

Are you leaning toward having it done or doing it yourself?

Definitely going to chat with a gunsmith!

Jim

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #18 on:** April 26, 2013, 06:41:48 PM »

Sorry if these are dumb questions, but this is all really new to me... Was looking at buying a third H&R Mag Ruger revolver, but a Handi in that caliber would be interesting, but not interesting enough for me to mortgage the house just to say I have one. Any of you folks have a ballpark figure of the cost? Mentioned were both .357 and 22 Hornet for stubbing or relining... Which one would be the easiest to work with? If I decide to go this route with a Handi, will it easily handle the stuff my Single Six and SP101 likes to digest?

Thanks,

Jim

trotterlg · « **Reply #19 on:** April 26, 2013, 06:59:02 PM »

A .410 makes the easiest .32 stub project. Larry

Couger · « **Reply #20 on:** April 27, 2013, 12:23:51 AM »

Quote from: trotterlg

A .410 makes the easiest .32 stub project. Larry

These .32-20 threads are always fun/interesting, but also continue to remand me of certain ideas......

What about building a similar Handi barrel in .25-20 Win?

That .25-20 is of course the first round derived from the .32-20. Plus I already have a Handi-bbl in the .218 Bee (also derived from the .32-20, and a lot of fun).

Would it be any more difficult to build a stubbed Handi barrel in .25-20?

Would the .410 barrel again be the best donor-barrel
for such a project?

Couger · « **Reply #21 on:** April 27, 2013, 12:45:43 AM »

Quote from: cudatruck

I'm saving my pennies for one! but i want it chambered for .327 federal mag. then it will shoot the 32 H&R mag the .32 S&W long and the 32 S&W short!

Hope you realize your goal, Cuda-T! I too wanted a Handi (or Contender) in .327 Federal, but in .308 caliber vs .311.

Now if I was to continue that project would go with the .311 blank, but still in the .327FM.

To bad when Federal (and Hornady?) R&D'd that round, didn't settle on a 1.290" length instead fo the (now final SAAMI) 1.200" length. Like the .30 Carbine, both the .327FM and .30C operate at 44K units pressure.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #22 on:** April 27, 2013, 02:13:10 AM »

What is the actual diameter of the .327?

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #23 on:** April 27, 2013, 05:49:47 AM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on April 27, 2013, 02:13:10 AM

What is the actual diameter of the .327?

Same as the 32 S&W, 32 S&W Long, and the 32 H&R Magnum..... .312.

Jim

cudatruck · « **Reply #24 on:** April 27, 2013, 09:39:01 AM »

Larry, if i can my stuff together, are you willing to tackle one more?

trotterlg · « **Reply #25 on:** April 27, 2013, 12:29:39 PM »

I am an old guy are really only do these things for a little fun. I bet there are some young guys here with the skills to do it that could use a little extra cash, I just have a hard time gettting motivated to do anything that I am not really focused on. I will be happy to tell anyone anything I know about doing them. Larry

BAGTIC · « **Reply #26 on:** May 17, 2013, 01:14:29 PM »

Best way might be a rebore. I had an H&R rebored from .22 Hornet to .32 H&R Magum years ago. It was certainly a LOT less than $350 but it was a LONG time ago.

Spanky · « **Reply #27 on:** May 17, 2013, 03:46:42 PM »

Quote from: BAGTIC on May 17, 2013, 01:14:29 PM

Best way might be a rebore. I had an H&R rebored from .22 Hornet to .32 H&R Magum years ago. It was certainly a LOT less than $350 but it was a LONG time ago.

Tell us more... how's it shoot?

Spanky