SB2-F23 Fluted Ultra Varmint .223???

[MTGlass]

My dealer just notified me that he took one in on consignment.  He described it as brand new, unfired, with the original store tag attached.  The owner bought it for his son & they decided they didn't want it and that it came with a scope. 

I can't find any current offerings that include a scope.  Was it ever available from H&R as a package with an optic?  When?  If so, what would one expect the twist to be?

How much $$$?  Quoted price seems reasonable if not too good to pass up.

I'll be looking at it in a few hours and will verify the S/N prefix.  Maybe I'll get to slug it to try to determine twist.

Thanks!

[skifastchad]

$300 plus the scope value should be about right.

That's what I paid a year ago.  Keep in mind, it has a valuable stock, and the most expensive accesory barrel.

All the fluted barrels I have seen are 1:9" .   The only ones in question of 9" or 12" were some 2006 non-fluted bull barrels. 

[MTGlass]

Thanks skifastchad.  You've pointed out a few things I wasn't aware of.

How is yours in the accuracy department?

[MTGlass]

It's an '05 NV sporting a Bushnell 4-12 with a rather large front end and adjustable parallax.  Twist seems to be 1:12.  I didn't want to believe it so I checked again.  Oil in the bore looks like factory gunk.  Trigger breaks right at 4lbs, sometimes a little lighter.  No sign that it has been fired since it left H&R and it hasn't seen many open/close cycles.  The only marks on it are finger prints.  Rifle & scope look absolutely NIB.

There is something rattling around in the buttstock making us wonder if there is some secret compartment in there.

Price for the whole rig would get me into it for the same as current wholesale (w/o scope & rings) plus shipping & no transfer fee.

The 1:12 twist is discouraging and has me thinking thrice.  Still, I may have to do it just because...

What say ye'

[quickdtoo]

I wouldn't sweat the 1:12", they've always shot well with the right bullets, 40-64gr, many, many 1:9" twist barrels, specially earlier models, didn't shoot even the 60gr bullets as well as the 1:12". As for the rattle, it's probably the shorter screws for the butt pad if you remove a spacer. You didn't say what 4-12 Bushnell it is, but the Banner 4-12x is a $100 scope, the Trophy is $170.

Tim

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3300

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3323

http://theopticzone.com/bushnellscopes.aspx

[MTGlass]

Thanks quick.  I couldn't read the lettering on the under side of the scope.  The scope finish is gloss and on the side there is an emblem or logo resembling a nice set of antlers.

I usually load the cheapest 55gr FMJs I can find for blasting, but I do have 1k 55gr V-MAXs waiting for the right tube.  Some 40gr Nosler ballistic tip 2nds might be in order too.

I'm gonna sleep on it.  My CC took a bruising when I had to buy my wife a new laptop as penance for my .280.   

[mrbgt]

antlers would make the scope a sportsman series, its still an $80 scope , i just purchased 1 the other day, they're nice for the money . i believe  they were only sold at the box stores , walmart & k mart . like was said, don't worry about 1 in 12 twist, most .223 ammo is in the 45 to 55 grain range .

[quickdtoo]

Has be an older Sportsman or a special run, they don't make a Sportsman 4-12x now according to the Bushnell site, I only have one 4yr old Sportsman, it's camo, no antlers, just the B like all my other Bushnells. But like mrbgt said, it may have been made for a chain store, Dick's and Academy and others have sold a lot of combos in the past

Tim

[skifastchad]

If its a 1:12 its the first Ive heard of in a fluted barrel.  Odd.

Like Quick said, rattling in the stock is  screws.  Notice that the buttstock has a pad and 2 removable spacers to change length of pull.  There is a hollow section under the second spacer inside the stock, and there are 4 screws rattling around inside.  They are 1 and 2 steps shorter than the screws that are installed.  Take them out and fill the hollow section with lead shot and wax. 

As far as accuracy, My old fluted 1:9 would shoot anything from 55 to 69 grain well.  I barely put a couple boxes through it and sold the barrel to 270handiman.  The only reason for selling it was that I used this gun in the winter for coyote hunting.  With the small 223 brass and an extractor that pushed the shell just over a quarter of an inch, it was impossible for me to remove the empty case with gloves on.  I have since switched to a 223 bull barrel with an ejector, and I can hunt with trigger finger mittens now and not worry about reloading the gun.

[quickdtoo]

In 2005 and 2006, H&R switched back and forth on the twist rates, so you'll find both in all 223 barrels except possibly the Superlight which was still 1:12" in July.

Tim

[MTGlass]

Thanks for the insights.  I'll try to get a positive ID on the scope.  Wouldn't surprise me of it came from Wal-Mart.

This quandry has the wheels turning.  How is this stock with harder kicking calibers?  Will standard contour barrels work in the forearm?  Are there any comb raising accessories for the stock.  I couldn't find a specific listing on Choate's site.  A tacticool sniper rig could be interesting.

The twist thing got me wondering too.  I had H&R fit a .223 barrel to my daughter's 7mm-08 last summer.   I decided to check it tonight.  It's 1:12 too.  Last thing I need is another .223.  I can't keep up with feeding the four I've got now.

[mrbgt]

if its a deal , snatch it up sell off 1 of your .223 barrels and add a fluted 22-250 or cal of your choice