Anyone do custom barrels for Handi Rifles?

[GhostHawk]

I really have my heart set on a single shot 7.62x39 (AK/SKS ammo) and I don't think I can afford to have a rolling block built or rebuilt from scratch just to scratch that itch. Although that would be my ultimate choice, I just don't see it as being viable. If I'm wrong please educate me!

So since my wife has been wanting to shoot more, I'd been considering buying a Handi Rifle in .223 with scope mount. We'd both use and I think enjoy it.

But H&R no longer list 7.62x39 on their page of barrels that can be fitted to your gun.

I don't have a lot of desire for anything that is going to kick me silly. I can get all of that anytime I want just shooting factory loads out of my Mosin.

What I'd like is a scope capable barrel for the Handi Rifle that would let me shoot my reloaded 7.62x39 ammo.

I don't care about buying spam cans of cheap milsurp ammo. I prefer to cast my own bullets and often pull factory FMJ's and reload with my own load and cast boolits.

Anyone who has done this, or has the capability and interest to properly make and fit such a barrel where I could get at least decent (2moa or better would be preferred) accuracy please contact me here or via email.

billj69@gmail.com

Thanks for your time.

[Sur-shot]

Try David White here: http://www.dandtcustomgunworks.com/

He also makes the Handi in 357 Super Mag.
Ed

[seaboltm]

If you have a handi in 308 or 30-06 here is a cheap option (at the bottom of the page)

http://www.mcace.com/adapters.htm

[MT Gianni]

I have a 7.62 handi from Davidsons. It is a shooter with almost anything I feed it cast and if it shoots surplus it takes three hammer falls. Stick with what you want and yo will be happy. Option two is a light 30-30 boolit load which should not push you around and be easier to find a bbl in.

[johnson1942]

you could try norman johnson at turtle lake n.dak. he if a very good barrel maker and gunsmith. its a bit of a drive for you but you could call him to see if he is interested.

[Tackleberry41]

The easiest way seems to be the barrel stub method. Drill it out and thread it screw in a traditional barrel. Just need a proper sized barrel to shoot x39 out of, vs the 308 some companies went with.

[GhostHawk]

I don't buy a lot of milsurp for the 7.62x39. I do have some cheap steel case but the majority of my ammo is Privi Partizan and Red Army Standard. Either way I can run factory loads through the SKS and reload with standard primers for the Handi. So I am not really concerned about the hard primer issue. I'll be patient and keep looking. Thanks for the help!


I have a 7.62 handi from Davidsons. It is a shooter with almost anything I feed it cast and if it shoots surplus it takes three hammer falls. Stick with what you want and yo will be happy. Option two is a light 30-30 boolit load which should not push you around and be easier to find a bbl in.

[M-Tecs]

ASSASSIN on this forum

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?153778-Barrel-stubbed-rifles

[zuke]

Put an ad up on the WTB section, it might surprise you.

[Lead Fred]

If you have a handi in 308 or 30-06 here is a cheap option

I want to see a.311 bullet go down a .308 barrel

[GhostHawk]

Agree Lead Fred, not a good plan IMO.

[GhostHawk]

Put an ad up on the WTB section, it might surprise you.

Will do!

[troyboy]

You could also get an appropriate barrel and then get it re-bored and chambered by Jes or Wayne York. That is probably the option that will cost the least amount of money, unless you can score a used barrel in the x39

[bubba.50]

lead fred & ghosthawk, do ya think people don't shoot mil-surp & other factory ammo in their 7.62x39 mini-30's with their .308 bores?

[zuke]

lead fred & ghosthawk, do ya think people don't shoot mil-surp & other factory ammo in their 7.62x39 mini-30's with their .308 bores?

Yep, .308 bore's on that rifle.

[zuke]

I want to see a.311 bullet go down a .308 barrel

I've been playing with cast .314's in my 308's and 303's.

[GhostHawk]

I am sure I have no idea what other people shoot in their Mini 30's with a .308 bore.

I did just check a couple of factory loads in 7.62x39 and get a pretty consistent .3095-.310.

I know I would not put one of my .312 cast and .312 sized down a .308 hole.

If that means I need to end up buying a new lee size kit that is no huge problem IMO.

A cast boolit 3 thousandths over is one thing, a FMJ at 3 thousands over would give me pause.

I suspect that you are right that people do shoot milsurp 7.62x39 in .308 bores.
I also suspect that it would raise pressures a bit more than I would like.

I can't speak to what others do, and what others accepted practice is.
I can only be as safe as possible with what I do.


lead fred & ghosthawk, do ya think people don't shoot mil-surp & other factory ammo in their 7.62x39 mini-30's with their .308 bores?

[EDG]

I shoot .410 cast bullets through my .408 groove diameter single shot as a matter of practice.
The same thing happens with all those German 88 commission rifles with the .320 groove diameters when .323 8X57 ammo is used.
Nothing much happens with short light bullets. Long heavy jacketed bullets are another matter.


I am sure I have no idea what other people shoot in their Mini 30's with a .308 bore.

I did just check a couple of factory loads in 7.62x39 and get a pretty consistent .3095-.310.

I know I would not put one of my .312 cast and .312 sized down a .308 hole.

If that means I need to end up buying a new lee size kit that is no huge problem IMO.

A cast boolit 3 thousandths over is one thing, a FMJ at 3 thousands over would give me pause.

I suspect that you are right that people do shoot milsurp 7.62x39 in .308 bores.
I also suspect that it would raise pressures a bit more than I would like.

I can't speak to what others do, and what others accepted practice is.
I can only be as safe as possible with what I do.

[jeepmann1]

Check out the H&R 1871 barrel accessory program Brian56 works for H&R and hangs out on the GBO forum .He is a super nice guy and has helped a lot of people find barrels.They also become available on the GBO Handi Classified section from time to time, but they do not last long.
Rumor has it they were discontinued because the Handi Platform had a lot of failure to fires with the cheap milsurp ammo because of the thick primers.
George

[GhostHawk]

Exactly so Jeepmann1, but since I reload mine it should not be a problem.

Thanks for the tip!

[jason f]

I've been playing with cast .314's in my 308's and 303's.

i size all my 30 cals at 311 and 312 depending on gun.

[seaboltm]

I want to see a.311 bullet go down a .308 barrel

If you are shooting factory ammo, you would be 100% correct. If you are shooting your own, no need to worry about it. The original post said cast boolits would be used. It may just be me, but I think I would just use one of my 30 cal molds and size to 309. Done and done. It must be done pretty often since Hornady sells .308 7.62x39 dies.

[Geezer in NH]

I am sure I have no idea what other people shoot in their Mini 30's with a .308 bore.

I did just check a couple of factory loads in 7.62x39 and get a pretty consistent .3095-.310.

I know I would not put one of my .312 cast and .312 sized down a .308 hole.

If that means I need to end up buying a new lee size kit that is no huge problem IMO.

A cast boolit 3 thousandths over is one thing, a FMJ at 3 thousands over would give me pause.

I suspect that you are right that people do shoot milsurp 7.62x39 in .308 bores.
I also suspect that it would raise pressures a bit more than I would like.

I can't speak to what others do, and what others accepted practice is.
I can only be as safe as possible with what I do. My son and I have mini-30's, Both have fired over a case each of 7.62x39 Com-Block ammo and NO problems.

You are worried about a .312-.314 cast bullet? What are you using Bullseye?

"I can only be as safe as possible with what I do." Stick with factory loads or use an elastic and paperclips IMHO

[GhostHawk]

Geezer, no sir I'm not concerned at all. From what I've seen the Handi rifle slugs out in the .3095-.310 range. I have a lee .312 155 gr bullet that will fit that nicely.