Barrel question

[lawson]

I am going to be buying my first handi rifle probably right after the first of the year when the next gun show comes to town.  This board is really answered a lot of my questions.  The handi sounds like the perfect gun for me.  My question is about swapping barrels.  I plan on getting a 25-06, and 50 cal muzzle barrels.  I am torn between a .204 ruger and a 22-250 so any advice would be helpful.  I am not a hand loader so all ammo will be store bought.  What gun do you think would be the the best to buy and then add barrels to or are all receivers the same?  Second I know you have to send in to use the barrel program, if you use different barrels often do you have to adjust the fit or does everything always line up good after NEF sets the barrel to your gun.  Do you have to resight everytime you put a barrel back on?  Does the head spacing always remain good?  Thank you.

Brad Lawson

[knight0334]

The difference between the .204 Ruger and good old 22-250 is really minor.  Either is a good choice..  if you hunt Coyote, the 22-250 might have a small advantage on the larger dogs.

NEF makes a couple different receivers.  You will want the one called a "SB2" receiver, which the centerfire rifles use.   The SB1 receivers aren't treated as strongly as the SB2 and are used with shotguns and muzzleloaders.

If you get either the 204 or 22-250, it will have a SB2.

Since the scope or sights are mounted to the barrel itself, any resighting will be very minimal to none.  Pretty much the only factors that may move your point of aim would be forearm screw torque and/or scope/sights getting bumped off zero when removing, installing or storing of barrel.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard!! If you're gonna shoot a lot, I'd opt for the .204, it will outlast the .22-250 as far as barrel life and the cost for factory ammo are pretty much the same from what I've seen. The difference in ballistics is moot for the lighter for caliber bullets of the .22-250, in fact, the 40gr .204 compared to 50gr .22-250 loads, has the edge in trajectory. Winchester, Remington and Hornady factory .204 ammo is available locally for $12-$14 a box of 20 or in boxes of 40 Winchester White box or HSM for $20 and $32, and bulk for $130 for 200 rounds from Cabelas.

HSM

Win Whitebox

Cabela's Bulk

[lawson]

Thanks for the help.  I was leaning more towards the .204 because I have heard such good things about it.  Are all sb2 receivers the same?  How hard is it to change barrels?  Is there a go no/go gauge to check headspace when switching between barrels.

Thanks

Brad Lawson

[knight0334]

The only differences in the SB2's are:  some are case colored, some are blue'd, some come in stainless steel(I think).

Breaking down the gun is easy, tools needed:  Screw driver.

1.  Make sure the gun is emty.
2.  close the action and roll the gun over.
3.  loosen screw in forearm and remove forearm by pulling slightly away from barrel and towards muzzle.
4.  roll gun back over and grab the barrel near where the forearm was .
5.  be sure to have a firm hold of both the barrel and receiver then press the lever to open the action
6.  open the action until the ejector pops or extractor travels completely outwards, then pull the barrel back and upwards towards the rear of the gun.

Reverse that for reassembly...

headspace gauging:    someone else will have to respond to that.   I've never had issues with fit primarily because I dont shoot sup'd up rounds to stretch the receiver and all my barrels are fitted by the factory.

[quickdtoo]

Once the barrel is fitted to the frame by the factory, it's just a matter of removing the forend screw then the forend, open the action and remove the barrel, install the other barrel, close the action, install forend and screw. Headspace is set when the barrel is fitted, doesn't change when changing barrels. They're plug and play once fitted.

Modern(made after 1998) SB2 frames are heat treated, that's the difference between the high pressure SB2 and the low pressure SB1 frame, for the most part.

[lawson]

You guys are great.  I am going to see if I can find one around here this weekend.  I have always liked the topper shotguns that I have, so I am sure I will love the rifles.  If the barrel thing is that easy I am an addict in the making.  Is there anything special I should do once I buy one to get improved perfomance?


Thanks

Brad Lawson

[knight0334]

Lap the barrel and thoroughly clean it and the chamber when done.  Be sure to polish chamber while you're at it to help prevent case sticking.

Lapping technique is explaned in the FAQ's.

Some people's rifles like to have an O-ring placed around the forearm lug to "free float" the barrel from the forearm.  I'd try it out without the o-ring first to see if it effects grouping.  Some rifles like it, some dont..  None of mine have needed it.

Take time to try out a few different loads of ammo too.  Dont give up on the gun just because XXXXX brand didn't group well.  

Your rifle may need a "break-in" period too even if none of the ammo shoot well.  So be patient if you aren't happy right away.

[quickdtoo]

Be sure to read the Cleaning and Lapping sticky above, it's got most all you need to know about a new Handi. If you have time, watch the Factory Tour video in the sticky above, too, it's got some interested info on building of these fine firearms. Also, read the Should I have bought it? sticky, has an invaluable post by Mac on buying a Handi. :wink:

[Datil]

Brad Welcome to GBO forums, come often, Enjoy. I see another
 Handi-holic in the making :-D  :-D  Good luck Marv.

[lawson]

I see another
 Handi-holic in the making :-D  :-D  Good luck Marv.

I hope that is the case.  I am just now to a point where I can indulge in some guns since I am done with college and have been working.  Sure beats trying to make cheap mil surplus rifles serve every purpose.

[knight0334]

I see another
 Handi-holic in the making :-D  :-D  Good luck Marv.

I hope that is the case.  I am just now to a point where I can indulge in some guns since I am done with college and have been working.  Sure beats trying to make cheap mil surplus rifles serve every purpose.

I was told by both my grandfather and my dad that mil-sups and any other rifles that held more then one round were for people that planned missing with their first shot.

[lawson]

Well I bought my first NEF rifle tonight.  I went to Gander Mountain to look for a .204 in a black stock.  They didn't have one, but I did find a 17hmr.  I thought it was priced wrong because I bought the gun brand new for 70 dollars.  I also saw they had another one up on a higher rack and it was close to 150 dollars.  Hopefully it will be a tack driver for me.  Thanks for all the advice and help given.  If anyone has a SB2 receiver they want to sell please keep me in mind because I would love to get into the centerfire handis.  


Thanks,

Brad Lawson

[Norseman112]

Welcome and good luck with that .17 Brad  


John

[quickdtoo]

Congrats on the great buy on the Sportster!! Don't look for a .204 Handi with the synthetic stock, unless H&R offers it as a new model next year, it's only available with the wood stock unless you get the fluted Ultra with the Choate Varmint stock.....course you could always swap the wood stock for the Sportster stock, they're one size fits all....or trade for one in the NEF/H&R Classifieds!