NEF .45-70 Project

[Kestrel]

I'm kinda toying with an idea. I'm thinking about doing a little project with an NEF Handi Rifle in .45-70. I'm thinking about having the barrel cut back to 16.5" and putting a ghost ring on it. Then maybe attaching some sort of ammo carrier to the side of the butt stock. Just for a lightweight camping type rifle.

What is the legal minimum overall length on a rifle? I know 16" for the barrel, but I'm wondering if it would be too short, since it's a single shot action.

Steve

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

26 inches overall is the minimum.


I'm thinking of doing that, too. my 20 gauge is chopped at 20 inches, and it's awful handy.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I have the same concept, but on a T/C Contender frame. Break-action single shot 45/70, 16" barrel with muzzlebreak, Williams WGRS aperture sights with hooded front sight, and Choate folding stock.

I realize the folding stock is kind of silly, but I bought it while a teenager. It it a very sturdy folding stock, pistol grip is very ergonomic, and the piece is obsecenely compact when folded.

Your NEF version should be even more compact, with its traditional stock. Not sure how lack of porting/muzzle break will affect the recoil. My 45/70 weighs about 5 lbs. Cowboy loads are no problem, medium hunting loads are fine, I imagine hot modern 45/70 would be a real handful.

Might I assume you're inspired by AK Church's article on the exact same process? If not, definitely check out this page:
http://www.milesfortis.com/church/akc02.htm

He did an almost identical project on a .357 NEF. Let us know how it turns out for you. -MV

 

[Kestrel]

Matthew,

Thanks for the link - it looks very much like what I had in mind (I had not seen this before). His is in .357, but I'd like to use something heavier.

I saw someone posted a similar project towards the bottom of this guy's page, but did his in .44 mag. That might be a better caliber for this gun, I don't know. I'll have to read the article in more depth and think about it.

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Good luck on your project Steve. I'm a big single-shot fan, so glad to see other folks so inclined.

Just my .02, but .44 mag would be a fair bit easier on the body, and accomplish a pretty similar mission. Cheaper ammo as well, and able to shoot at indoor ranges, should that ever be an issue.

I was glad to note that one of the NEF projects used the same WGRS sights that I use on my Contender. The really groovy thing about those is that you can unscrew the aperture disk, and just use the disk's socket as a really big ghost ring. Gives you two very different sizes of aperture to choose from.

In any case, whatever you end up getting, should be a really cool project. Plus, an inexpensive enough gun that you can really mess around with it. Bake-on refinish, carve the stock, hammer brass tacks into the stock in an attractive pattern, etc. It may be a crime to butcher an antique rifle, but a 2004 NEF is whatever you want it to be. It'd be cool to see pics once you get your project set up. Take care, -MV

 

[JohnKSa]

T/C Encore Katahdin Carbine.

 

[David4516]

Can you buy the "youth" NEF stocks seperatly?

I've got an NEF shotgun that might be fun to cut down, and the youth stock doesn't sound like a bad idea... not only would it be a bit shorter, it also has a recoil pad...

If I were to do that, how hard would it be to take off the bead sight and re-install it on the shortend barrel?

 

[SapperLeader]

Im planning on shortening a nef 12ga shotgun for a truck gun, and I might ahve to consider doing the same with a rifle one of these days. I had originally been thinking 30-06 but your 45-70 sounds even better.

 

[Brian Williams]

T/C Encore Katahdin Carbine.

Why buy one of these, when for the price of the T/C action I can get 2 or 3 used NEF's at a local shop and do all the cutting and chopping I want and have I gun the would be
fairly accurate
Cheap
Disposable, In other words if I lost it in a river or swamp I would not have to cry.
Just down right fun.

 

[Smoke]

I have a NEF 45-70. It is a pretty short package already. I wouldn't cut it down any myself. Mine resides in my Jeep where space necessitates a short rifle.

Smoke