454 casull for handi rifle??

[happy7]

I am wanting a 454 casull barrel for my handi rifle to use with my pressure trace system for developing loads. They used to sell a 45 colt barrel that supposedly could be converted but those were discontinued. Does anyone know if I could maybe buy a 44 mag barrel and have it converted? What other options are open to me. I'm not wanting it to get too expensive. Otherwise I could just get a thompson complete rifle or pistol as I think those are offered in 454.

[scattershot]

Seems to me that buying a 44mag barrel and having it rebored/rifled/chambered for .454 would cost more than buying another rifle in the first place. You might check over on greybeardoutdoors.com, lots of H&R fans over there.

[Tackleberry41]

Its easy enough to change the barrel in a H&R. Find a donor barrel, cut it off drill and tap, thread in a new barrel. I put a faster twist in my 45-70 so the 500gr bullets would stabilize at subsonic. And put a 45 cal barrel in a rossi single shot recently, chambered it in 45 colt.

[bikerbeans]

happy7,

Keep an eye on the graybeard H&R classified forum and you will eventually find a 45colt barrel. Graybeard also has rental reamers and one of them is a 454 cas. This rechamber is very quick and easy and can be done acceptably by hand. You will need to be a member of GBO to buy off their classifieds or rent the reamer.

Also, H&R makes a 410/45LC barrel. This is a mild steel barrel and should NOT be used for 45LC +P, 454 Cas or 460 S&W Mag.


BB

[happy7]

Thanks for the tips. I did go over to greybeards and posted a WTB and this morning was offered a barrel already reamed out to .454. So thanks again!

[OBXPilgrim]

Buying a 44 mag for your project would be a mistake. The current 44 mags (and 357s) are made SHE frames, which are weaker than the S2 frames. And yes, that's even if the barrel is stamped SB2. Buy any rifle caliber instead if you plan to rebore.
If you buy the used barrel already reamed, be sure you buy an SB2 frame for it. Look on Greybeards FAQ if you don't know the difference.