Damage from barrel/stock swap?

[StaTiK]

Hello everyone,

I've been wanting an H&R rifle for years now and I think it's time. I keep tossing back and forth between a Handi and another brand, but that's another thread for another time (as if it doesn't get asked enough around here).

Here's my ideal setup:
- 223 and 204 ultra varmint w/thumbhole laminate stock
- 7mm-08 and 35 Whelen ultra hunter w/laminate stock (not thumbhole)

So here's my question: To save money I'm considering just buying one rifle (one receiver, two stocks, four barrels). Is there any problem with doing this? Will swapping stocks so frequently cause any type of premature wear? Will the recoil of a 35 Whelen eventually affect accuracy on the fit for the 204 Ruger?

The accuracy is the biggest question. I'm OK with "minute of vitals" on a quick-handling 35 Whelen for field work, but I want to wring out every bit of accuracy I can for the heavy-barrel 204 Ruger.

Please Help.
-StaTiK

[ratdog]

the 204 is a real accurate rifle mine shoots better than my 22-250 don't really need bull barrel standard barrel shoots awesome.

[petemi]

When I got my first Handi, my .45-70, I sent the frame in for Huntsman, .357 and .30-06 barrels.  I swapped them around on the frame for about a month and said "enough of this".  I set about getting each fitted out as a complete rifle.  At first there was fiddling and tweaking to do. Now, by moving barrels around on various frames, none of the 17 Handis I have are tweaked to fit in any way.  I know others here have done the same thing.  I was able to improve accuracy from MOD (deer) to MOA on just about all of them.

Pete

[Spanky]

I'd stay away from the Whelen...
 
 
 
Spanky

[OldSchoolRanger]

Hello everyone,

I've been wanting an H&R rifle for years now and I think it's time. I keep tossing back and forth between a Handi and another brand, but that's another thread for another time (as if it doesn't get asked enough around here).

Here's my ideal setup:
- 223 and 204 ultra varmint w/thumbhole laminate stock
- 7mm-08 and 35 Whelen ultra hunter w/laminate stock (not thumbhole)

So here's my question: To save money I'm considering just buying one rifle (one receiver, two stocks, four barrels). Is there any problem with doing this? Will swapping stocks so frequently cause any type of premature wear? Will the recoil of a 35 Whelen eventually affect accuracy on the fit for the 204 Ruger?

The accuracy is the biggest question. I'm OK with "minute of vitals" on a quick-handling 35 Whelen for field work, but I want to wring out every bit of accuracy I can for the heavy-barrel 204 Ruger.

Please Help.
-StaTiK

I'll try to answer your questions and help you with your dilemma.

1.Buy the Handi, you won't regret it.  I also had the Rossi, and didn't like it, it's also an ugly gun.
2.No problem with the swapping of barrels back and forth.  I tried the same thing as you, bought two Handi's, one an SB1, Pardner shotgun (410, then added a couple of 12Ga barrels), and one an SB2, (243, then added a 223 barrel).  It worked out fairly well for about a year.  The next thing I know, I bought a couple of other 12Ga, 20Ga, barrels for the SB1, and added a 30-30, 357, 45-70, etc. you get the picture, right? 
3.Swapping stocks will not cause premature wear.
4.Accuracy/fit for the 204Ruger, will not be affected by the recoil of the 35Whelen.

But, if your anything like the rest of us, you'll eventually end up with additional receivers (which can be purchased in the classifieds), for each barrel.  I have to confess tho, I do have more shotgun barrels than I have receivers, but, I try to have a separate receiver for each rifle barrel.  It makes for a much simpler trip to the range.  So why fight it, just get a receiver for each.

[StaTiK]

Thank you for the replies!

Of course I would like to have a receiver for each barrel but that doesn't seem feasible right now. If I buy "accessory barrels" now, and then buy an additional receiver later, can I send both to the factory for fitting? Is there a cost associated with this?

-StaTiK-

[StaTiK]

I'd stay away from the Whelen...
Spanky

Would you please expand on this? The 35 Whelen is a big reason I want a Handi. I've read some of the posts here and some consider it finicky but many don't. I reload so that would probably take a bunch of the trouble out of it.

-StaTiK-

[quickdtoo]

I'd be one of those that have never had a problem with either of the two H&R Whelens I have, at least none that wasn't cured by changing primers or good handloading practices,  but I handload too. I did have a few pieces of factory brass that had the shoulder pushed back too far right out of the box and I suspect that is the biggest culprit for factory ammo and even handloaders that don't check it first. A poorly fitted barrel in combination with excess headspace certainly isn't rare for any Handi, add in a weak hammer spring and a bad transfer bar(service notice) and the small shoulder of the Whelen and the potential for misfires grows.

Tim

[gendoc]

i too have never hada problem with tha 2 we have. we handload too and our whelen's can take a
crow out @ 300 paces every time they are tried....nevera FTF, kinda wish one would happen
so it would give me sumthin ta destroy and remedy !!!!!!!!!!
since these here folks have told ya they are problems, maybe your first handi full gun purchase
SHOULD be tha whelen..... jus incase it ain't right  
i wish ya tha best luck.................

[Jason F]

I am lookin to get another whelen before everyone turns them into tomato stakes. Wish i would of kept the last one i had

[gendoc]

i like'm jason..... 200yrd 3" above tha shoulder, save'n meat !!!!

[tacklebury]

Well, if you want a Whelen, you should start with that as your base.  Then add other barrels to that frame.  That way if you get one that has misfires, you can get it repaired from the factory. 
 
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/262/products_id/61736/Rifles/Harrington+and+Richardson/H/R%2072540%20Handi%20Rifle%20Break%20Open%2035%20Whelen%2022/quot;%20Hardwood%20Blue/
 
Or
 
Nice camo stocked iron sighted one:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/262/products_id/411547256/Rifles/Harrington+and+Richardson/H/R%20SB2-35C%20Handi-Rifle%2035%20Whelen%2022/quot;%20Realtree%20Hardwood%20Camo/Blu/

[Spanky]

For someone who wants to tinker the Whelen would be a good choice. They seem to be troublesome for most folks although careful handloading does seem to help sometimes. Personally I like the cartridge but I wouldn't buy a Handi chambered for it.
My money would go towards a 30-06 Handi as it'll do anything the Whelen will and they're pretty darn reliable.
 
 
 
Spanky

[OldSchoolRanger]

Thank you for the replies!

Of course I would like to have a receiver for each barrel but that doesn't seem feasible right now. If I buy "accessory barrels" now, and then buy an additional receiver later, can I send both to the factory for fitting? Is there a cost associated with this?

-StaTiK-

Absolutely, and yes.  Don't remember how much it was, but like I said, you might not have to send them into the factory for fitting.  They might just snap in.

[tacklebury]

+1 Ranger.  I have been lucky enough to have 5 different barrels snap onto my frames.  One was a slightly better fit on it's original, but barely.  I have .58 Huntsman, .45-70 32" BC, .45 Colt, .357 Magnum, 12 ga. Screw in choke barrel, .223 Remington and now a .50 Cal. Traditions.  All lock onto one frame.  I don't carry all the barrels with me at once necessarily, but could.  Gets a little heavy with all of them in the box at once.