H&R, need help identifying model

[oldred]

A buddy of mine called me just a little while ago to ask about a H&R 45/70 he was looking at and wanted to know some particulars on the rifle but I am not familiar enough with these things to help much other than to say they are well known for being darn good rifles. What he was asking about was the particular model he was considering on a trade, it has a cleaning rod mounted like a ramrod on a ML but of course this is a break open 45/70. I was thinking it was probably a Buffalo Classic or a variation but a quick search on the BC does not show any models with the cleaning rod, what is this rifle? He bought the thing anyway since it looked like new and the price/trade was a really good deal.

[C. Latch]

Shikari.

Made in the 70's IIRC. (http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/hr-shikari/msg1098288484/?PHPSESSID=h5s1l8o59h1icmeedkt1ndkcm6#msg109828848 4)

[Goatwhiskers]

Just bear in mind that the Shikari is on a cast iron frame and is NOT suitable for high pressure loads. If it were me I would stick with Rem 405gr factory or trap-door level hand loads. I would never use the Hornady Leverrevolution, IMHO a somewhat stiff load. Is your gun gonna "blow up" if you do, most likely not, it's just that I don't think it's prudent to keep pounding the old girl with ammo it wasn't designed for. GW

[Janoosh]

C.Latch has nailed it. Shikari..good shooter with lead, my friend has one and hunts with trapdoor level loads.

[oldred]

Yep that's it, I Googled images for "Shikari" and there it was. He bought/traded for the thing and plans to bring it by this weekend, he says it looks almost like new and he got it for $75 and a Homelite chainsaw that he had bought at a pawn shop a year ago for $50 so I think he did real well!

[Catshooter]

Yes he did well. They are great guns.

Their strength limitations aren't just the non-heat treated frame, but if I recall correctly the barrel under lug is brazed on, not welded.


Cat

[oldred]

While the newer H&R 45/70's are known for being exceptionally strong it sounds as if these need to either stick with BP equivalent loads or real BP, I had told him the H&R 45/70s are very strong rifles but I explained about the SB1 and SB2 actions and I didn't know which that rifle was (I didn't know when it was built).
.

[bandsmoyer]

Shakira

[bikerbeans]

Shikari's were made for about 10 years, 1970s to early 80s and were chambered in both 45-70 & 44 Mag. If you want to know the exact date of manufacture of the reciever, PM the first two letters from the serial# and I will look it up for you. Some of the early models have pre-transfer bar frames. Both calibers were available with barrel lengths of 24" & 28". I had the 28" 45-70 and still have a a 24" 44mag Shikari. They are fun guns to shoot. As long as you shoot loads that have pressures that don't exceed the SAAMI limits for these calibers your friend should have no issues.

BB

[leadman]

I had several 45/70 Shikaris and one 44 mag. The info on keeping loads down is good advice.
I sold a friend an older H&R combo gun in 30-30 and 20 gauge a while back. He called me up about a yesr later complaining the gun would not fire. He had used some bad IMR data for the 30-30 and the pressure was way too high and the primers peened the firing pin hole almost shut! This was also a cast iron frame.

[Hamish]

Shakira

Might you be thinking of that little blonde who's "hips don't lie"?:happy dance:

[John Boy]

106112

[Skipper]

I recall correctly the barrel under lug is brazed on, not welded

It's brazed on, but it's really on there......years ago I tried to remove one; I turned it red with a torch and then beat on it with a 3 lb hammer and still didn't remove it. (Don't ask.....it seemed like a good idea at the time)

Like Bikerbeans said, keep it within SAAMI limits. Your shoulder will tell you when it's had enough.

Also, don't be surprised when the ramrod gets jettisoned out the front onto the ground from recoil.

[bikerbeans]

106112


Very Nice!

BB

[Catshooter]

Very pretty rifle. Is that a tang sight mounted there? Kinda hard to tell. If it is, can you show a close up of how it's mounted?


Cat