H & R 157 wildcat caliber???

[c_latrans]

Local candy store has an H & R 157 that the barrel is stamped 22/357.  I've seen info on this caliber before and was intrigued by it. I've thought it might be a fun little caliber to play around with cast bullets too.  The original caliber of the barrel is X'd out and can't be read.  The stock has been butchered.  It wears an unknown brand of 1.5 to 5 power variable scope that is pretty clear and has a diamond reticle.  Blueing on the barrel is good but the receiver looks like it has had some surface rust in the past.  It is not pitted, but is a mottled brown color.  Rifling looks good.   Asking price is $169.  I suppose you would have to do a chamber cast to make sure you get the right dies.  Will standard H & R or NEF stocks fit?  Enough of my rambling.  Does anyone have any input on this?  Thanks in advance, Dale

[MSP Ret]

Could it be a .22 Rem Jet? That was a .357 Magnum case necked down to .22 caliber....<><....

[c_latrans]

I would think it would be stamped as 22 Jet if that is what it is, but it is simply stamped 22/357.  I'll have to ask if there are dies with the gun, but they were not mentioned on the hang tag.

[geezerbiker]

Sounds more like the Super Jet but like you said, it's going to need a chamber cast.  At that price, I'd probably buy it and figure it out later.

Tony

[45-70.gov]

sb- 1 or 2 ??

[quickdtoo]

Neither SB1 or SB2, the M157 is a cast iron framed model made by H&R Inc prior to 1987, the SB designation didn't happen until NEF started making firearms after H&R Inc went bankrupt in 1986.

Tim

[45-70.gov]

i should have known that


doesn't that compare to the sb-1?
stronger ? weaker? same?


is the wood all interchangeable??

[bikerbeans]

45-70
 
Interchanging stocks shouldn't be a problem.  The foreend may be an issue if it is one of the older slim profile barrels.  Newer barrels may or may not fit an older pre 87 frame, just like they may or may not fit a SB1 or SB2.  I have a fairly recent VR 20ga barrel that locked up fine a pre-transfer Bar receiver.  With H&R/NEF stuff you never know what will work until you try and put them together.
As far as the strength of the older pre 87 frames, I would treat them like SB1s.  The older frames were offered with shotgun barrels, some pistol caliber rounds, 45-70, and some smaller/lower pressure CF cartridges, 22 hornet, 22 jet, 30-30 and maybe others.

 
BB

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

I love oddball cartridges.

I'd get it just for the challenge.

a 22/357 would be where in the velocity range?  45gr around 2900fps?

[gcrank1]

You should get it  (our byline should be 'Enablers Annon.')
You can use canning wax (paraffin) to do a chamber cast and you need to check the barrel twist and bore/groove dimensions to find what the bullet needs to be. Post pics and dimensions of the cast here and somebody just might have some brass that fits.
They might even be able to 'give your phone number to the prev. owner' so he can call you about the dies. etc., if they dont have them.

[jkpq45]

You might anneal a piece of .357 Magnum brass and size it down in at least two steps to ~.224 inside throat diameter, then fireform a round.  That'd keep the paraffin out of your chamber.

[gendoc]

You should get it  (our byline should be 'Enablers Annon.')
You can use canning wax (paraffin) to do a chamber cast and you need to check the barrel twist and bore/groove dimensions to find what the bullet needs to be. Post pics and dimensions of the cast here and somebody just might have some brass that fits.
They might even be able to 'give your phone number to the prev. owner' so he can call you about the dies. etc., if they dont have them.

dang gcrank.. i thought i wuz tha onla one that used picklin wax fora chamber cast........
 

[Brian P.]

Would be pretty neat
 
http://www.chuckhawks.com/256Win.htm

[gcrank1]

Doc, ya got me believin that great minds just might think alike...........
We've compared wax casts with the Cerro casts and been within a thou.; the great value has been to see the chamber in 3D to figure out whats what. And the price is right too.
Use only a thin oil film in the chamber and a good tight wad o' cleaning patch ahead of the throat. To keep from making a mess mount the barrel in a vise lightly and tape some thin cardstock around the breech and up about 1/2". Pre-heat the breech with a hair dryer on High and pour (it doesnt need to fill completely flush to the rim, just close). After it cools well the plug will pop out nicely and likely will have a few wrinkles but will measure up OK and the chamber will clean out with no trouble (laquer thinner has always done it for me right away).

[gendoc]

Doc, ya got me believin that great minds just might think alike...........
We've compared wax casts with the Cerro casts and been within a thou.; the great value has been to see the chamber in 3D to figure out whats what. And the price is right too.
Use only a thin oil film in the chamber and a good tight wad o' cleaning patch ahead of the throat. To keep from making a mess mount the barrel in a vise lightly and tape some thin cardstock around the breech and up about 1/2". Pre-heat the breech with a hair dryer on High and pour (it doesnt need to fill completely flush to the rim, just close). After it cools well the plug will pop out nicely and likely will have a few wrinkles but will measure up OK and the chamber will clean out with no trouble (laquer thinner has always done it for me right away).

soun like u got it go'n on !!!  great to learn that uthers are feeble minded too..........
itsa always beena great mirror image for research and proxy wifout contaminating evidence