New Eng. Pardner .223 barrel or a cheap single shot .223

[The Don]

I have a New England Arms Pardner SBI 20Ga. I was told that I could get a .223 barrel for it. Is this true? If it is where could I get one? I have looked online and found that they do have a "barrel exchange program". If this is false or you know of a cheap .223 single shot please let me know. I want something I could put a med range scope on for varmints. We lost a lot of money last year on crops. Seed corn being almost $300 a bag equaling 2.5 acres per bag and losing entire headers on 100s of acres. Want to get 3-5 rifles to outfit the whole family for some serous varmint control.

 

[Red Tornado]

The H&R/NEF single shot and the Rossi are the only ones I know of offhand. The Rossi is a little less, but the NEF's are reputed to be more accurate. Check the pawn shops for some used versions, they pop up osccasionally.
RT

 

[Hoth206]

I believe that NEF will only mount .223 barrels on "Rifle" recievers and shotgun barrels on "shotgun" recievers.

I know you said single shot, but you may want to look at the Stevens 200 bolt action .223's, sounds about ideal for what you're wanting to do.

 

[FROGO207]

Go to the website for NEF/H&R for the info. It will tell you what ones can be re-barreled. I have several and have found this-- A rifle that was originally a rifle can get a rifle or shotgun barrel. If it was a shotgun it can only have a shotgun barrel of another size. They all can get a 45 LC/410 barrel and for all mine the blued receivers are rifle and the case hardened/striped receivers are shotgun. Also the upgrades are for newer NEF firearms with SB-1 and SB-2 serial numbers after a certain point. Also be warned that the process requires you to send the stock/receiver back to the manufacturer and wait a considerable length of time for the work to be done, my last one took 5 months. IMHO it will be almost as easy to get another rifle than re-barrel it. I do like the fit, finish, and feel as well as how it works of a Handi Rifle as opposed to a Rossi. I have had poor luck with the Rossi single shots as the ones I had purchased (3) would not open and/or eject brass reliably so I stopped trying. YMMV

 

[osprey176]

i just called H&R last week about the barrel program.the total cost is about $140.that includes the cost of the barrel,fitting,and shipping.you need to send the action,buttstock,and fore end.this can be sent UPS,and does not need to involve an FFL,as this is a factory repair.call first about availablity of your preferred caliber,finish,and barrel configuration. i bought a youth model .243 some years ago,and is one of the most accurate rifles i have ever owned.i will be putting a 22-250 barrel on it.