Author Topic: Rumor and Speculation about new calibers for 2008? (Read 4298 times)

eskimo36 · « **on:** August 28, 2007, 04:25:39 AM »

Has anyone heard or read anything that might indicate what H&R1871 will offer as far as new calibers or guns for 2008?

skifastchad · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2007, 08:58:04 AM »

I look for rumors and news every day, but nothing yet.

I would think that with the H&R-Marlin partnership it would hurt a little to see that the competition (T/C) already offers a single shot in the new .308 Marlin Express.
You don't invest in all the R&D and tooling to make a new proprietary caliber just to see the competition offer a new gun first.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2007, 10:11:12 AM »

Right now H&R/Marlin are considering some new or previously offered chamberings, but it will be another month or so before they know for sure what may be offered, when I find out, I'll let ya know.

Tim

eskimo36 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2007, 03:59:16 AM »

i hope they go retro and offer something from the past. They seem to have the current offerings covered other than maybe 6.8 SPC and 338 Federal. I was hoping for something new in 25 caliber like 250 savage or 25-35. The 405 in a BC or TM would fill the gap between 38-55 and 45-70, but i wouldn't be opposed to 375 Winchester or 375 JDJ. I guess time will tell.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2007, 06:01:35 AM »

Over the past couple years there has been some coordinated correspondence forwarded to NEF from members of this site offering suggestions for new calibers. Several of the calibers suggested have been produced, though not always with good results. It would seem that they do hear our suggestions. So, I would say to contact them with any caliber suggestions you may have.

It seems logical, at least to me, that with the popularity of the .357 Mag over the last couple of limited runs, that they would produce that caliber as a complete offering.

Also, at this early stage, it would appear that they may have hit a home run with the .444 and .45 Colt.

Ireload2 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2007, 07:03:44 AM »

I will put in my list of wants that I will pay money for...

.25-35
.25-20
.32-20
.22 Hornet
.32 H&H Magnum
.218 Bee
.50-70

I want all in longer barrels. I don't want something the length of a kid's gun. I own a hack saw if I want a short barrel. That is why the only two H&Rs that I own are the 45-70 BC and the 38-55 Target.

H&R should go back and clean up some of their barrel design problems before they start on any new barrels though. If they don't have a competent design engineer they could hire a consultant to approve the designs.

Learn to make the twist fast enough - no more 38 twist 44 cals (44 mag)
No more oversize bores (several calibers including 38-55)
No more chambers that will not accept a groove diameter bullet be cause the groove diameter is at the SAAMI max (especially 38-55)

No crying SAAMI permits it to be wrong. Make the designs work ...

bluebayou · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2007, 07:29:51 AM »

So why not have the 45 available as an accessory barrel? What's up with that?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2007, 07:34:16 AM »

Ireload2, all that has been covered before, too many times, the latest in the H&R wish list and Survey.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,64281.msg389265.html#msg389265

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2007, 08:02:24 AM »

Quote

That is why the only two H&Rs that I own are the 45-70 BC and the 38-55 Target.

So...What's wrong with the 25-06 & the 280? Both are 26" barrels..not 22" or 24"...

There is a lot of different cartridges that you can have in a 26" re chambered/ re bored 25-06 if your will to shell out some extra cash...

I don't see them offering much of anything else in any other format than they already have...it cost quite a bit to get set up for a new caliber...a nice 6.5 something...or a 338 something would be sweet...but they got it in their heads that they won't sell the longer barrels as easy...I think they sometimes forget just how many adults are shooting their rifles...

Mac

Ireload2 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2007, 01:25:17 PM »

If you notice my list is all rimmed low pressure rounds ideally suited for the Handi. I already have a .25/06 bolt gun and several 7X57s. The two 26" barrels you mentioned can be purchased easily in bolt guns. I don't see the Handi as a competitor with bolt guns but maybe H&R does.
The only competitor for the calibers that I listed are Contenders and Encores and long out of production rifles. All are much more expensive than the Handi. About all it costs H&R to set up for a new caliber is chamber reamers, head space gauges, and the barrel roll marking tool. All together probably less than $1500. Manufacturing all of the rounds I mentioned use commonly available blanks with the exception of the .50-70. If they are manufactured in parallel with current calibers they would represent investment in more inventory. If they are used to supplant some other dead dogs then they would be a wash inventory wise.
I guess I would add the Dutch Mannlicher 6.5X53R to that list for a rimmed 6.5. Of course no one has ammo or even dies for that one except me.
I guess that wishing big costs the same as wishing small so I will add the .32/40 Ballard/Win also.
Maybe they could just offer unchambered barrels and then we could make ourselves happy.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2007, 01:47:41 PM »

Quote from: Ireload2 on August 29, 2007, 01:25:17 PM

I guess I would add the Dutch Mannlicher 6.5X53R to that list for a rimmed 6.5. Of course no one has ammo or even dies for that one except me.

Ya just need to know where to look!

Tim

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,5669.htm

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,5310.htm

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,739.htm

wcf3030 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2007, 01:51:04 PM »

06 in a 26in barrel, would be nice.
By the way I can't seem to find the length of the 35 Whelen barrel.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2007, 01:54:03 PM »

The 2006 production 35 Whelen was 22", the 1996 RMEF was 26".

Tim

cwlongshot · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2007, 02:01:46 PM »

I agree...all of those long ago rimmed cartridges would be GREAT to have in a handi!!!

I have a couple Savage 23's and Marlin classics in 25-20 & 32-20 calibers and LOVE THE THEM!!!

I have LONG wanted the 25-35 and the 32-40 would be equilly as grand!!

CW

Maybe one day I'll make the leap into custom Handis...but for now I'll stick with my custom Mauser bolts. Got a couple of them so far... 26" barreled 35 Whelen, 26" barreled 6.5-06, and 24" barreled 6mm-06.

wcf3030 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2007, 02:06:35 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on August 29, 2007, 01:54:03 PM

The 2006 production 35 Whelen was 22", the 1996 RMEF was 26".

Tim

Thanks Tim.

Then is it just a error that they list the 35 Whelen on their site but don't list the barrel length

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2007, 02:09:09 PM »

I second the .50-70 barrel for the BC. As for the handis themselves, how about a .300 Savage and a .44-40.

ST762

James B · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2007, 09:20:47 PM »

30-40 Krag and 348.

kenbev · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:39:45 AM »

I would love to have a handi in a 32 Winchester Special.

cgturner7 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2007, 10:29:03 AM »

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a .257 Roberts. Or maybe a 6.5x55. Please......

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2007, 11:46:08 AM »

30-40 Krag, .303 British, .375 JDJ.

greg916 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:18:28 PM »

9.3 x 74R

canon6 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:04:47 PM »

Anything in 6.5, 6.5/30-30 would be as fine as frog hair Doug

mgeorge · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:23:08 PM »

7.62x54R would be cool, but I'm probably one of very few who'd be interested in one...

greg916 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:34:23 PM »

7.62x54R works for me also

poncaguy · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:33:36 PM »

260 Rem, 6.8 Rem, and 338 Federal..........

PartsMan · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:48:26 PM »

257 Robert's or a 250 savage so I can ream to the bob.

I guess the 260 Remington would be OK as the modern equivalent.
A 30-30 BC carbine would probably sell good.

.308 Win. · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2007, 06:27:14 PM »

I'd really love to see the .338 Federal. I just think that would be awesome in a Handi or Ultra. Obviously I'm partial to the .308 and the .338 Federal is based on the .308 case and necked up to .338 for a little bigger game. I'd be one of the first to buy one. Been thinking about that caliber in a Handi since it came out.

handi243 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 31, 2007, 01:34:23 AM »

338's got my vote i think the 260 would be nice also 257 roberts i would love to have one.

saltydog · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2007, 03:37:07 AM »

Quote from: Ireload2 on August 29, 2007, 07:03:44 AM

I will put in my list of wants that I will pay money for...

.25-35
.25-20
.32-20
.22 Hornet
.32 H&H Magnum
.218 Bee
.50-70

I want all in longer barrels. I don't want something the length of a kid's gun. I own a hack saw if I want a short barrel. That is why the only two H&Rs that I own are the 45-70 BC and the 38-55 Target.

H&R should go back and clean up some of their barrel design problems before they start on any new barrels though. If they don't have a competent design engineer they could hire a consultant to approve the designs.

Learn to make the twist fast enough - no more 38 twist 44 cals (44 mag)
No more oversize bores (several calibers including 38-55)
No more chambers that will not accept a groove diameter bullet be cause the groove diameter is at the SAAMI max (especially 38-55)

No crying SAAMI permits it to be wrong. Make the designs work ...

The list , except for the Bee , would have limited value to be produced with longer barrels than they now produce for the Hornet. You can only load so much powder into the cases - the Remington LTR's and AR15 16" and 20" barreled rifles have proven longer barrels are not necessary for increased accuracy. I agree the barrel quality and attention to fit needs to be improved T/C does it so can NEF.

dw06 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2007, 01:20:48 PM »

17 remington
250 savage
257 roberts
260 remington
6.5-06
Any one of them and I'd buy it.