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Topper/Handi Rifle

wheeless621wheeless621 Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
edited February 2007 in Ask the Experts
Can H&R Handi Rifle barrels be used with a Topper shotgun receiver?
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Comments

  • catpealer111catpealer111 Member Posts: 10,695
    edited November -1
    Go to H&R/NE's website, it tells you what barrels can be fitted to what receivers. If I remember right, shotgun barrels can be fitted to rifle receivers but rifle barrels can't be fitted to shotgun receivers. Also, the gun has to be sent to the factory for this to be done.
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  • DEG305DEG305 Member Posts: 469 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No, NO,and NO. Like Catpealer said, shotgun barrels can be fitted to NEF SB2 rifle receivers but rifle barrels cannot be fitted to NEF SB1 shotgun receivers and "topper" receivers ain't either![:D]
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  • dtknowlesdtknowles Member Posts: 810 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    H&R made Topper's in 30-30, 22 Hornet and 45-70 did they not? Could those barrels be used with the same model Topper receivers that were originally supplied with rifle barrels?

    Tim
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  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The early H&R combination guns all were in rifle calibers that were low powered, relatively speaking. The receivers were cast metal but strong enough for the limited pressures of 30/30, .22 Hornet, .44 Magnum, and .45/70 factory ammo. Once handi-rifles were introduced in high pressure rounds like .270, .30-06, etc. the rifle receivers were strengthened significantly, maybe they were forged or something similar. The shotgun actions continued to be made the old way and could only be used for low powered cartridges. That's why you can't use rifle barrels for modern rounds on the lower pressured shotgun receivers. It just wouldn't be safe. You're right, barrels in the old low pressure rounds like 30/30 etc could still be used on old H&R rifles/shotguns but......the new company won't sell you the barrels and they wont fit a barrel for you to the old Combination 157/158 series. They will only fit new barrels to guns made by the "new" company formed after the old H&R folded. The new company is H&R 1871 and/or NEF New England Firearms.
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  • dtknowlesdtknowles Member Posts: 810 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks TWalker. You confirmed my thinking. I put a NEF SB2 barrel in 30-30 on my H&R 158. I also put a curved caseharden steel butt plate on the stock. I am now shopping for a good deal on some older style sights. Standing (shooting offhand) ringing the steel plate at the 100 yard mark with what looks like an antique rifle with iron sights just makes me feel great. Using cast bullets and handloaded ammo that cost less than six cents a shot, cool. I may not be able to shoot as fast as the guys with the AR's but I can shoot for hours for pennys and with the moderate velocity handloads I mostly use I could shoot hundreds of rounds without hurting my shoulder even with the steel butt plate. The 30-30 gets a bigger reaction from the steel plate than you do with the .223.

    Tim
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