Mannlicher .30-30 in a Handi/Topper?

[jason280]

I picked up a .30-30 last week with a full length mannlicher stock, and wanted to see how common these guns were.  It appears to be one of the old Topper frames, as I am pretty sure its not a SB2 frame.  It came with a Weaver scope base, so now all I need to do is mount my compact 4x Burris and hit the range.

Any info on these guns?  Its in pretty decent shape, and the only problem is its missing the rear sight.  I'll get some pics later and post them.

[44 Man]

It sounds pretty special and you have a right to be proud of your new gun.  Any pictures we can drool over?  Enjoy.  44 Man

[Datil]

 Jason Look at serial No. Letters will tell you when made, I bought a 30-30 barrell
 back in the early 70's it serial No with letters for date made, Very slim barrel.
 I have a Mannlicher forearm, didn't come on the rifle, it is a 223 bull 24" barrel.
 Good Shooting Marv.

[Graybeard]

I have one of them and mine is quite accurate using irons. They did not come with a scope base as do current NEFs and it appears it had to be drilled and tapped after leaving the factory. On mine the job was done rather poorly and is off so badly I was unable to sight it in with a scope but with factory irons is a good shooter.

[MSP Ret]

My 30-30 Handi wears a Mannlichcer forearm also, just because I think it deserves it. The combo is a great one and it seems for some reason others here have put the Mannlicher together with their 30-30 barrels as well. It sound as you have a keeper there, congratulations....<><....

[jason280]

Anyone have any idea what the manufacture year is?  The SN begins with AU (AU 611***), but have not been able to find a year.  I don't think this one came drilled/tapped, but it looks like whoever done it knew what they were doing.  Funny thing is, the Weaver base isn't exactly the right one, and its the same model number that I use on my Browning .22.  I'll probably add a little Devcon to it to mate the surfaces better, but I have a good feeling it will hold fine the way it is.  There is a slight bit more radius to the base compared to the barrel, but I don't think it will be a problem (all though I'll bed it anyway).

The only thing I don't like about the gun is the same complaint I have on all H&R rifles, you have to mount the scope too dang high!  Other than that, I love the gun.  It has a great feel to it, and I can't wait to start working up a load for it.  Now, I just need to post a few pics...

[jason280]

Here are a few pics with a compact 4x Burris...

[quickdtoo]

Nice!! AU= 1980 as stated in the FAQs. 

Tim

[jason280]

I was kind of hoping for a 70's era gun, but 1980 isn't a bad year! I'm not sure what it is, but I have a thing for 70's guns.  Maybe its because I was born in the 70's...

[dpe.ahoy]

Thats very nice.  I don't think I've seen one at a gun show.  What would be a fair price for one if I see one?  DP.

[tallyho]

Jason, great looking rifle.  [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img]

If you look at the picture to the left, under my handle, (and below again) you will see my Topper w/Mannlicher forend. My stocks are no longer original, as you can see, with the recoil pad on the buttstock, and I got the Mannlicher a while back on eBay. It was unfinished, basically a shaped piece of wood (walnut apparently) with a barrel groove. I had to drill the hole for the screw, fit the rear piece that mates with the frame, and do a bit of sanding to get it to fit. I'm glad I had the light contour barrel 'cuz I'd woulda hated to have spent even more time to make it fit a modern (heavier) barrel. The forend has been stained/finished a bit more since the pic was taken, but it is still not quite a perfect match to the butt stock. I love it anyway. 



I love your metal forend tip. [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img]  On mine, like in the pic above I used a barrel band from a Henry 001 .22 lever gun a couple of times, but my son keeps wanting it back on his rifle! 

[img width= height= alt=image hosting by https://www.gboreloaded.com/mhp/]https://www.gboreloaded.com/mhp/images/tallyho/topperwweaverk3.jpg[/img]

Here's how I mounted my scope (a Weaver 2.5). Quickdtoo modded one of his hammers by drilling and tapping it for a screw in type hammer extension, and he did one for me. It makes it possible to have a slightly lower mounted scope. It weighs slightly over 5 lbs with the scope.

By the way, mine is '72 - wanna trade? 

Cheers
Kerry

[jason280]

Nice looking rifle, Tallyho!  I like the look of the barrel band, its a nice touch.  For some reason, my gun was missing both the front and rear sling swivel studs, as well as the rear sight.  Luckily, I had all the items in my "extras" box, so the gun looks to be complete. 

I wouldn't mind modifiying my hammer, and may end up drilling/tapping it and simply grinding a bit of the spur.  I can't understand why NEF never caught on to the fact that people don't want to use high rings with these guns, and it would be very simple to change the contour of the hammer. 

Anyone have an idea of what these guns bring?  I would like to get another, but like someone mentioned above, I've never seen one at a show.  In fact, the one I bought is the only one I think I have seen!

[rugerfan01]

Man That Is NeatOOOOO!

[Graybeard]

I paid $100 for mine the same price my best friend had paid for it when he bought it. I got it from his estate after his death.

[jason280]

I didn't quite get mine for $100, but it was close. 

Now, I have to decide on what bullet I want to use in this gun.  I've had good luck with 170gr Noslers in the past, but am leaning towards 150gr soft points. I'm not really too interested in spitzer bullets, as this will be a sub-100 yard gun.