My first two barrels I bought through the classifieds about a year ago didn't quite fit my receivers, and I studied the FAQ's and proceeded to shim them and I learned pretty well as I got both to shoot really well.
So here is where the trouble lies. I since then have bought three more barrels within the last eight months thru the classifieds, and all three were taken out of the shipping box, and placed onto my receiver and "Clunk" they locked up perfectly, and not only did they lock up perfectly they have shot incredibly well also with plain ole factory ammo.
Just today I took my new to me 45-70 to my private range, and after even slapping on a cheap Simmons scope onto it, and I kid you not a sustained 25 to 30 mph wind with gust to at least 40 and shooting off sandbags for a rest, the darn thing hit a 9" paper plate near dead center at 50, 4" high at 100, darn near dead center at 150, and I aimed at 12 oclock on the paper plate at 200 and hit at 6 o'clock at the bottom of the plate, and about four inches left which I attributed to the wind.
I have to only conclude after nailing that 9" paper plate at all four known distances, that this gun shooting Winchester 300 grain jacketed hollow points, is a legit dead on 150 yard hog rifle, and if I hold at the top of the hogs back at 200 he is bacon.
So in this gale force wind and although not trying to shoot 1/2" groups off a sled, I managed to put every shot I fired from the gun into a 9" paper plate out to 200 yards, and I am very impressed, that what everyone has said about the 45-70 is the truth and nothing but the truth!
So here I am with all this knowledge on fitting barrels and the proud owner of handloading gear, and I don't have to even need to work up a load to get any of these barrels to shoot.
Doesn't H&R realize they are cutting into my pleasure of tinkering and don't they realize these are cheap guns that need a lot of work in order to get them to shoot let alone fit different receivers?
As you can see I am really upset about this.....................NOT!
