H&R Handi Rifle .45-70

[mr16ga]

Any one know:

1: Anything about the Handi Rifle name Buffalo Hunter? .45-70 I believe.

2: if anyone does custom barrels for a Handi Rifle. One in 50-90 Sharps would be beyond cool.

I Google'd for custom barrels for a Handi Rifle and found nothing.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

some folks have had their reamed to 45-90. Although I'm not convinced that it is that much of an advantage over the 45-70. I'll cram some extra powder in the 45-70 case and seat the bullet out to 45-90 OAL and shoot them in my trapdoor. Ii can't do it with my Hepburn, but can with my Martini

 

[StrawHat]

Don't own one but I believe they can be made in to a nice lightweight hunting rifle. Your shoulder may give out before the cartridge does.

My brother owns one and is also looking for a "custom" barrel. Have not found anyone making drop in barrels but have found one or two smiths willing to do one of a kinds.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://sskindustries.com try here on the barrels

 

[dprice3844444]

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

 

[TomADC]

Have a friend at castboolits selling one in 45-70, I have one in 38-55 I'd think you would run out of shoulder before the rifle would reach its limits.

 

[Sunray]

"...custom barrels for a Handi Rifle..." Never seen any. Not many barrel makers would bother with a low end rifle. No demand. A custom barrel would cost more than the rifle too. Mind you, anything can be done with enough time and money.

 

[mr16ga]

Have a friend at castboolits selling one in 45-70, I have one in 38-55 I'd think you would run out of shoulder before the rifle would reach its limits.

So, the recoil from a Handi-Rifle is a little stiff perhaps I need to do some rethinking.

 

[TomADC]

I think in mild loads for the 45-70 you'd be fine, but remember they don't weigh a lot and that doesn't help recoil.
I'd think all trapdoor pressure loads & most 1886 or 1895 lever action wouldn't be to bad, but stuff for the Rugers no way... Just my .02 cents

 

[zimmerstutzen]

In the Buff hunter, it wouldn't be too bad. In the actual 45-70 handi, yeah that is a bit lighter.

I have an old 45-70 H&R Shikari. With federal factory loads, I barely feel the recoil. With my own black powder loads, 10 or so will bruise the upper arm and shoulder. Now that is certainly my fault for cramming as much 3f as I can under a 500 grain bullet. Your mileage may differ.

 

[oldscout]

I have a Buffalo Classic and I love it. I handload almost all of my ammunition for it. A 50-90 barrel would certainly hold novelty appeal, but given the cost, I would just stick with the 45-70. Mine is very accurate and has plenty of power for big game hunting. I'm not sure how much a custom barrel or reaming would cost, but it would probably be a decent start to saving for a 50-90 Sharps.

 

[BCRider]

So, the recoil from a Handi-Rifle is a little stiff perhaps I need to do some rethinking.

If you load it with black powder reloads the recoil from either would not be at all bad. And even with a softer slow burning powder to "normal" 45-70 pressures I doubt you'd cry for mercy.

It's the ability of that casing to hold WAY TOO MUCH smokeless powder and some of the cruel folks out there that aspire to dislocate shoulders apleanty with such loads that will make it a bad idea to use such rounds in a light single shot rifle.

 

[45-70 Ranger]

Ditto on heavy hitting recoil with the Handi. My neighbor across the road got one a few months back. I loaded him some 405's that were moving at a moderate 1500 fps that shoot well in my Marlin. He, on the other hand, got a black eye on the second round fired from his scope. Switching from that load to a smoother 350 load I make, he was happy and unharmed. The weapon is a might light and does have a punch if you get up there in the loads I do believe...

Wade

 

[dprice3844444]

mr16a,pachmayer decellerator magnum recoil pad

 

[blindhari]

If you want to know what a handi rifle will do go to the forum sections on GBO (Grey beard outdoors ??) Any way I have shortened a 45/70 handi to 18.5" and reamed it to 45/120. I don't shoot 45/90 but I am an old man and it is a hoot to shoot.

blindhari

 

[oldscout]

I make two loads for my BC - One with 405 cast lead and 70gr blackpowder, pleasant to shoot and FUN. The other throws a 405 Rem Soft Point @ 1750 fps, shows no high pressure signs, and is very accurate and powerful. Recoil isn't too bad on it either. Like BCRider said, just don't get carried away and you should be able to get all the power you want without the injuries.