Does anyone know of a place where you can have Handi-Rifle barrels custom built or Rechambered?

According to the factory - they have to be specially factory hand-fitted -- you can't just buy a custom barrel for one.

I'm not sure how many gunsmiths take that to heart, or offer their own custom hand-fitted barrels on your actions. Generally by the time you pay a custom gunsmith to build and then hand-fit your barrel, you've got way more invested in that handi-rifle than it costs to buy another one.

H&R/NEF offers barrels and factory-fits them at a reasonable cost, but you have to pick from their own calibers. Here's their website:
http://www.hr1871.com

If you go with a T/C, you can get a bigger selection of custom chamberings, same with a Ruger #1, but it's all about what you want to do and pay.

I've fitted several used barrels, it's not hard it you're the DIY type and good with basic tools. Many used barrels will lock up fine on a frame, having more than one frame helps, too. There are smiths that will used a barrel stub to affix a custom barrel to, but they need something to work with, that being the underlug and ejector/extractor from a donor barrel.

If you haven't checked out Graybeard's NEF/H&R forums yet, do yourself a favor, there's lots of info there that will answer these questions for ya.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=126

I've had 3 H&R rifles rechambered with 2 of em rebored too, by Wayne York of Oregunsmithing, he does excellent work. He's in the middle of a move, but will be back to work the first of the year. I've had a .25-06 Ultra rebored to .338-06, a .38-55 Target rechambered/rebored to .405 Winchester and a .45-70 Buffalo Classic rechambered to .45-120 by Wayne.

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eoregunsmithing/index.html

There's a fella name Deer Assassin that builds custom H&Rs that posts on the Beartooth Shooters forum than works on em, too....

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=25144

Deer Assaian is non other than David White.

web site as follows

http://www.precisionrifleworks.net

thanks guys, i know you have to send them your frame bu i didnt know if i could have a barrel chambered in something other than the factory carries? know anyone?

Every one of my barrels was rechambered without the frame, if the barrel fits the frame properly, headspace with be set from the face of the chamber. If the smith knows how to set up a single shot break barrel chamber, it shouldn't be a problem. We've shown you 2 smiths that work on em and will chamber what the frame will handle, basically most all non-magnum calibers.

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If you haven't checked out Graybeard's NEF/H&R forums yet, do yourself a favor, there's lots of info there that will answer these questions for ya.

Gaybroad???

I've had my 22 Hornet rechambered to 22 K hornet and it shoots great, brass lasts longer too.

My 223 to 223 Ackley rechamber sloves the extraction pblm that plagues the 223. Gotta know what you are doing on this rechamber though. 'casue headspace can be changed by reaming too deep, also the new shoulder has a Weatherby look when finished in a Handi. The reason why is lengthy.

30/30 to 30/30 Ackley - not headspace problems with the rimmed cases, so far I like this rechamber, but have not shot it much yet.

klock

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Gotta know what you are doing on this rechamber though.

Yes you got that right. Just went through a peeing contest with a bunch of people about chambering a 280AI in a Handi H&R or any other rimless Handi chamber.

Since the Handi chambers are anything but consistant a chamber gage is of not much use since the barrel can't be set back
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A fired case with the neck expanded or a new case with the neck expanded to fit the existing neck makes a good gage.

Ream so the case is flush with the face of the barrel, no head space. Then fire form with a well lubed and tightly packed case of C.O.W.using 25% of 700X powder of the water case volume.

I plug the end of the case with Crisco and use it for the lube at the same time. Of course there is nothing new about lubing a case for perfectly filling the chamber.

This will reduce the stretch when firing real ammo which will stretch the case about two thou beond the the barrel face. because of the springy action and will nicely shape the shoulder.

To load the shell again you need to set the shoulder back at least three thou. So a gage with build in head space would make the chamber too deep and add to the stretch.

So the die set up is very critical if you want to get more than just a few uses out of your brass. For reliable chambering of a cartridge you have to be 1-2 Thou below the barrel face since the Handi action has no caming power.

Slaming the action shut is not a good idea.
I chambered a 257 rebored Handi in the same manner and the rifle functions perfect with super accuracy. Brass live is about nine loads.

At present I am building a 6x47 from a 223 and the chamber will be done the same way, no head space. The minimal clearance will be set with the die.

With this mode you may have trouble using factory ammo, but that is not the idea of a wild cat. If you insist on shooting factory ammo in a Handi you better stay with a factory standard caliber.

ok next question. ha anyone seen or know where i can get a pistol grip (like a contender) for the handi rifle. if i can find one ill get a short barrel made/

I'm pretty certain that would be an ATF issue.

The handi-RIFLE was never made in any pistol configuration, and was never licensed as a pistol.

It's classed as a rifle - and if you trim a barrel down below 16" and put it on a Handi-rifle, regardless of pistol grip, I think you'll be making it into an illegal weapon in the eyes of the ATF -- regardless of whether T/C or Remington X100 or whatever other variants exist in the same basic configuration.

I'm not 100% on that, but that would be my guess. I'd rather be safe and precaution you on the side of caution though.

What if i keep the barrel length above 16 inches?

If you keep the barrel at 16" and use either a folding or telescoping pistol-grip stock, I think you'll be ok.

You just can't make it into a "pistol".

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If you keep the barrel at 16" and use either a folding or telescoping pistol-grip stock, I think you'll be ok.

The may depend on your jurisdiction. Was a time when the California DOJ got cranky about folding stocked firearms that were shorter than the 26 inch minimum overall length with the stock folded (specifically the Uzi carbine, but probably applicable to the T/C Contender when wearing a 16-1/4 inch tube and the Choate folder). Proceed with caution and consult a knowledgeable attorney, or put a youth stock on a Handi-rifle with a 16-1/4 inch barrel and call it as "handi" as it's gonna get.

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but probably applicable to the T/C Contender when wearing a 16-1/4 inch tube and the Choate folder)

T/C is able to get around it in some cases because they're made and sold/licensed from the factory in a pistol configuration.

Even then though, there's been times in the past where the ATF has gotten real cranky with T/C about that and even as a pistol, in some cases and configurations the ATF has tried to call foul even to T/C, and that's taken some legal work to get straightened out.

In that instance though, it was T/C corporate that was going to bat vs. the ATF for their products in an "as shipped" configuration.

The chances of Marlin/H&R/NEF walking into a courtroom vs. the BATFE on your behalf for unsupported tampering of one of their guns and converting it into something they never licensed it to be, in clear violation of federal long-gun statues ... would be very, very slim.

However, it should also be said, that you could apply to your local sheriff's office, depending on where you live, and to the ATF and get class 3 form filled out for what you want to do, and have that particular Handi-Rifle with that barrel, licensed as a class 3 firearm, and pay the stamp tax for it -- probably just $5 for that as an AOF weapon (but I'm not sure on that), and you'd be ok with a short barrel and pistol grip in a Class 3 configuration.

For that headache though, you'd be better off with a T/C or even an EABCO (E. Arther Brown) Single Shot Pistol.

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there's been times in the past where the ATF has gotten real cranky with T/C about that and even as a pistol, in some cases and configurations the ATF has tried to call foul even to T/C, and that's taken some legal work to get straightened out.

Yeah, first the ATF was uncomfortable with the 45 Colt/410 shotgun barrel, an interesting and eventually successful testing of the rules by T/C. Despite being resolved at the federal level last I checked it is still a felony to simply possess a 45/410 T/C barrel in California.

Then, and for quite a while, the ATF had its boxers in a bunch over the idea that the modular format of the T/C Contender allowed a pistol barrel to be attached to the frame at the same time as a rifle buttstock, creating a sawed off rifle. Eventually the Supremes suggested they worry too much.

well i dont live in california (thank god!) i live in new hampshire. i would only use it at my own personal range anyways. but thanks for all the replies i really appreciate it!

Well 243, in that case, whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck.

I would still recommend checking with your local County Sheriff's Dept. about a class 3 form if you ultimately decide to go shorter. A licensed gunsmith probably wouldn't touch that project without one.

Advanced Technologies has an M16 style stock and Choate hase the survivor style stocks.

Sincerely,

AL

ATI Shotforce stocks are toy like, the best aftermarket stocks are from http://www.gunstocksinc.com for traditional wood/laminate stocks in thumbhole or rollover styles. Choate Machine also makes the Varmint skeleton stock that comes on the new fluted ultra .204, .223, .22-250 and .243s.

http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page_category.cfm?que...llery&ProductCode=33

I have two custom rebored Handi barrels one is a 257 Roberts the other is a 6x47 on the 222Rem Mag case. Both were chambered without the action. Both used a case for head space.

Actually there is no head space. The case is flush with the back of the barrel. The 6x47 barrel is not finished yet. Both have 24 inch octagon barrels made from 223H&R bull barrels.

The rebore job and chambering was done by Ron Smith Wimborn Canada.

The Roberts shoots 3 shots into a 1/2" with 100gr Nosler or Speer Hot core.

These two rifles have reshaped factory stocks.
They have plenty wood to work with. The third picture shows the origional factory stock

Dang it Fred, those sure are purdy!!!

Zermel, those are nice. It's amazing what some people can see in a butt stock. I would have never thought they could be made to look so nice.

Terry

Fred,

Mighty fine looking mods for the NEF standard stocks!!

Did you rasp by hand or use a power tool to rough out the shapes? I have used a router table to do some stuff similar on Boyd laminated stocks before, but never felt comfortable since I can't see exactly what is happening with the cut.

I have a couple NEF stocks to play with and it appears you may have provided the motivation to do it...THANKS!!!

Lowrider.
Stocks were strictly done by hand bombing. Carving chisels, wood files, sandpaper, wood rifflers, Dremel tool. You do a lot more looking from a hundred different angles than working, interupted with plenty rest periods for the eyes.
Go slow because you can't put wood chips back on again.

That is not to say you can't use some carving machinery like a duplicator.

Wow! Who'd have guessed such pretty stocks were hiding inside the clubs the factory bolts on. Nicely done!