Handi-rifle re-chamber to 454

[koehlerrk]

Can a Handi be re-chambered to 454 Casull?

Just wondering out loud here....

[Skipper]

Can a Handi be re-chambered to 454 Casull?

Just wondering out loud here....


Yep, Several have been over at GBO

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/?PHPSESSID=os1bbanl06hlua8g0uiicvi7h5

[Nobade]

Yep. 460 S&W too.

-Nobade

[greenhornet-1]

Iv'e been thinking about having my 44 reamed to 445 super mag. It should knock a deer upside down!

[rockrat]

Thats been done also to many a 44 barrel, going to 445sm


460 S&W might be a bit overkill in the light handi. I have one in a Ruger #1 and its a handful.

[koehlerrk]

OK, thanks guys.

[Nobade]

460 S&W might be a bit overkill in the light handi. I have one in a Ruger #1 and its a handful.

Think black powder.....

-Nobade

[Tatume]

Can a Handi be re-chambered to 454 Casull?

At least one respected custom gunsmith who works on Handi Rifles recommends against it. David White claims the 454 Casull will over-stress the SB2 frame and loosen the gun irreparably.

http://www.dandtcustomgunworks.com/aboutus.html

Take care, Tom

[leadman]

The have been quite a few different receivers for the H&R rifles over the years. The older ones from the early 60s' back were smaller and lighter. I had a combo that was a 20 ga and 30-30 Win.and had the sides of the top of the receiver and barrel milled with a flat area. Then came the receivers like the ones I bought in the mid seventies that were all the same for the shotgun and rifles. Made of cast iron or steel they were soft and rifle calibers were 22 Jet, 22 Hornet, 30-30 win, 357 & 44 mag., 45-70. Basically lower pressure and breech thrust.
Later in the 80s ? The SB1 and SB2 came to be. SB1 is cast, soft, for shotgun and low pressure cartridges. SB2 moved into the 30-06, 270 win, etc. These are much stronger and more suitable for higher pressure cartridges.
This info is as I remember it from playing with these over the years and may not be entirely spot-on but hope it gives you an idea of what to look for.
If I was going to do a rechamber to a cartridge like the 454 or 460 I would use an SB2 receiver. I did many years ago have an older Shikari 44 mag rechambered to 445 SM with no issues.

[bikerbeans]

At least one respected custom gunsmith who works on Handi Rifles recommends against it. David White claims the 454 Casull will over-stress the SB2 frame and loosen the gun irreparably.

http://www.dandtcustomgunworks.com/aboutus.html

Take care, Tom

Apparently HR1871 doesn't agree with this "smith" as they offer the Handirifle in 500S&W, on the same SB2 frame. I had a H&R 45LC Buff. Carbine rechambered to 454 Cas and had no issues with it. I traded it to a good friend and the gun is still shooting just fine.

In my mind, the 44Mag to 445SM (or if you want 444M) conversion require that you use a SB2 frame. The current Handi 44Mags are shipped on an SB1 (cast iron) frame. IIRC, HR1871 did offer the 44Mag on an SB2 but the practice has been discontinued.

The GBO site is the place to go regarding Handirifle rechambers. IF you are a member you can also take advantage of their fleet of rental reamers. They have the 445SM and 454Cas reamers.

BB

[Tatume]

No, in fact he doesn't. He notes that H&R chambers SB2 framed rifles in 270 Winchester and a few other high-intensity cartridges, and claims these will also shoot the frame loose. Mine came from the factory as a 270 Winchester, but I'm a conservative reloader and don't shoot factory-level reloads or factory ammo in the rifle.

[nanuk]

I am on the lookout for a 44Mag SB2 or a barrel I can fit, then I want to ream it to 44 2 inch straight, based on 303Brit brass.

[Tatume]

Nanuk,

Is there a significant advantage to the 44 2-inch over the 444 Marlin? Or is it that you have a supply of 303 brass (which is certainly not uncommon in your neck of the woods)?

Take care, Tom

[dk17hmr]

Assuming you are talking about the 45lc Buffalo Classic barrel you can rechamber it to 454 or 460. If your talking about the 45lc/410 than no.

[bikerbeans]

The culprit on a loose H&R from too high a pressure load isn't the frame but the soft metal of the underlug. I have had a bottleneck chambered Handi CF barrel become loose on a frame but the other barrel that locked up on this frame was still tight. There is only a very small surface area on the underlug that contacts the pivot pin and the manufacturing process further reduces this area. There are improvements/cures for this problem, but as stated just loading down a little bit is the quickest fix.

BB

[koehlerrk]

OK, more info...

First off, I was aware of the pressure issues, so an SB2 was my only option. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid.
I saw that they offer the 500 S&W and that's what got me thinking about this. I could just get one of those, but then I need more brass, new dies, new molds, etc. If I stick with a 45 Colt or 454 Casull I'm already tooled up.

I think I'll get one in 45LC and see how it performs and I may rechamber it after that. Something about a light, short (I'd cut it to a 16.5 inch barrel) woods rifle appeals to me. It's got the makings of one heckuva pig/deer/bear gun.

Thanks everybody!

[bikerbeans]

The HR1871 Buffalo Classic Carbine is the only Handi rifle that would be acceptable to convert to 454Cas. This rifle is out of production and can be a bit pricey. Takeoff barrels are also a bit expensive and you have the added issue of proper lockup to consider. The barrel is approx. 20" and has dovetails for the front and rear sights and a fairly slim profile compared to other Handi rifles.

HR1871 still makes a 410/45LC but this gun is on an SB1 frame and the barrel is mild steel so it is NOT a candidate for 454Cas.

BB

[Airman Basic]

[QUOTE/HR1871 still makes a 410/45LC but this gun is on an SB1 frame and the barrel is mild steel so it is NOT a candidate for 454Cas.BB[/QUOTE]

Is this one a candidate for Ruger level 45 Colt loads? Know an older fella around here who shoots 44 mags in his old HR 410. Calls it an automatic because the action pops open on firing, ready for another round.:redneck:

[bikerbeans]

[QUOTE/HR1871 still makes a 410/45LC but this gun is on an SB1 frame and the barrel is mild steel so it is NOT a candidate for 454Cas.BB

Is this one a candidate for Ruger level 45 Colt loads? Know an older fella around here who shoots 44 mags in his old HR 410. Calls it an automatic because the action pops open on firing, ready for another round.:redneck:[/QUOTE]

Airman,

No, the HR1871 410/45LC is only good for SAAMI max 45LC or 410 bore loads.

BB

[koehlerrk]

The HR1871 Buffalo Classic Carbine is the only Handi rifle that would be acceptable to convert to 454Cas. This rifle is out of production and can be a bit pricey. Takeoff barrels are also a bit expensive and you have the added issue of proper lockup to consider. The barrel is approx. 20" and has dovetails for the front and rear sights and a fairly slim profile compared to other Handi rifles.

HR1871 still makes a 410/45LC but this gun is on an SB1 frame and the barrel is mild steel so it is NOT a candidate for 454Cas.

BB

Well now, that's annoying... I suppose I could get one in 44mag since I'm also tooled up for that round too, which would keep me occupied until I find one in 45LC.

And yes, I know that's an SB1 frame on the 44mag.

[junkman1967]

Im looking for one in 44mag to re-chamber in a wildcat I developed, based on a shortened 30-06 case necked up to 429. Kind of like a rimless 444.