NEF Single shots

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  • Last Post 05 April 2011
Mnshooter posted this 02 February 2008

I thought I would get this started as I like single shots.  There are two kinds of single shots, those I would like to have and cannot afford and those I can afford.  Through the years I have played with several of the New England Arms break opens and have good luck with them.  One I still keep is a 1871 Buffalo model in 45-70 with a 30 inch barrel.  The last one I looked at was a 30-30 model that I thought would make a good plinker and companion to carry on my 4-wheeler when I cut wood. They are tough as rocks.  Likely would be great for jacketed but I swear it had the micro-groove rifling.  As Marlin now owns this company I assume it is a Marlin barreling system.  While micro-groove rifling may not be all that bad I know some that would rather not use it for cast.  Just thought I would mention that.

Mnshooter

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tturner53 posted this 05 April 2011

There may be some difference in older Hornet barrels and current ones. I haven't done a chamber cast on my NEF but it shoots ok, has the newer 9” twist. I'm spread thin so haven't really given the barrel a real chance, but my guess is 1 1/2” at 100 will be a consistent possibility. Anything that will do that will occasionally do better, with some experimenting. It will go 2” all day with the Lee Bator. If you want to know. I'll cast the chamber on mine and let you know how the throat looks. I have since got a Savage M40 .22 Hornet single shot and so have neglected the NEF before I really worked with it much. For around $150 you really can't go wrong- you can get most of your money back quick if you want to sell it, it'll go in a day on greybeard. Nice light barrel with open sights, a great bunny gun that will stabilize 70 grainers if you like. Everybody should have a Hornet. The little single shot is cheap to buy and carries nice on a walkabout. I like loads that give me just a little more than a .22 Magnum, puts a challenge into nailing those squeaks, gotta get closer.

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RicinYakima posted this 04 April 2011

I'm sorry to say that the “Bunny Gun” has gotten away from us. I built two, 1 410 ($65) and one 20 (50)and scrap 03 Springfield barrels. That and about 40 hours of time in my shop. If I was going to have to buy one, the 357 case with deep seated WC's would be my choice. HTH, Ric

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JetMech posted this 04 April 2011

Thanks, Ric. I could deal with an over-size chamber but a long throat is a deal killer. I read everyone's posts about building rook rifles or bunny guns on the NEF frame, but it seems you'd have to be willing to pay as much for one as you would a good bolt gun with the gunsmithing involved.

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RicinYakima posted this 04 April 2011

Bill, Ask around for people who have the 22 Hornet barrels. I know of two, and neither are happy: oversized chambers and long throats. FWIW, Ric

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JetMech posted this 04 April 2011

I have one, the 38-55 Target. It sure is fun to shoot and pretty accurate. I'm thinking of sending it in for a 22 Hornet barrel.

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pschmidlkofer posted this 04 April 2011

I've got several also, but I think my favorite has got to be my 45-70 Buffalo Classic. That thing is just fun to shoot. Of course I've added a healthy recoil pad. I have a 357 mag I'm toying with reaming out to 357 max.

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shjoe posted this 04 April 2011

LOL. not really. this combination is still under developement. i had wanted to build a short range companion set up to my 32 acp bunny gun. using the same HR receiver, i had Paul and Eric at State Line Gun Shop, Mason NH, 603-878-2854, bore out an HR 357 mag barrel and fit it to my bunny gun receiver. he made up a tool to center the boring bit and was able to maintain a 357 diameter smooth bore. i wanted a short range shotgun that would be able to eliminate and or discourage garden pests from eating both their and my share of the produce. a 410 would work also, but i didnt want to disintergrate any near by plants as well as the varmint. to keep things simple, i reload my 357mag cases with my 158gr RN 38spl target load of Bullseye. made up some card board wads out of old ammo boxes and loaded up 43 #4 shot pellets. 35ft targets show an average of 8-10 #4 pellets within 4” bullseye. most of the rest within the target paper. havent had a chance to go back further. next range trip will start at 38ft moving out to 40. stalking to get into range is half the fun. i can adjust the powder load to tweek the pattern abit, if needed. 1/4 oz of #9 pellets should count out to about 160 or so, or very similar to the old 357mag CCI shotshells cartridges. dont know about velocity but will do penetration tests on soda can and 1” soft pine board when i can figure out how far the pattern can reach and still be effective. also on the testing menu is a load of 3 32 cal round balls, same powder  load. they JUST barely fit. may have to use a thinner wad. could be an interesting load for a variety of reasions. my 158gr RN 357mag loads shoot to point of aim, but key hole due to the lack of rifling. full range report with pictures to follow. right now seems that the weather and work are getting in the way of range time. thanks for your interest. best, john

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Antietamgw posted this 04 April 2011

shjoe wrote:  current HR projects include 357 smooth bore garden gun (1/4 oz #4, #9 shot, 3 32 cal round balls, Bullseye),  Kind of uppidity to bring that up and then not give us any details. B) Would you want to tell a little more about this one? Maybe another thread?

Keep your plowshare and your sword. Know how and when to use them.

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shjoe posted this 04 April 2011

agreed. those HR single shots are lots of fun and the barrels can multiply like wabbits. current HR projects include 32acp bunny gun (77gr RN Bullseye), 357 smooth bore garden gun (1/4 oz #4, #9 shot, 3 32 cal round balls, Bullseye), and a 223 varmint barrel. i wanted to use 22 hornet, but decided on the longer reach of the 223 and availability of fairly cheap ammo. great fun playing around with loadings soon as the snow is gone from the range.

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Antietamgw posted this 04 April 2011

I like Contender and Handi carbines. Even with the Handi's going up in price I believe $400 for an Ultra is a bit expensive unless maybe it's the new stainless version with thumbhole stock. Barrels are still available from the factory via the accessory program (about $140 after fitting, shipping, etc) as well as from the classified section over on Greybeards forum. Price of a used .45-70 barrel seems to vary between $110-$135 delivered. If I look for a used barrel, I want one that hasn't been altered or modified to fit an action other than at the factory. I seem to run into less “surprises” that way.

Factory accessory barrel program

 http://hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp>http://hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp

Bud's will keep you broke

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/262>http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/262

 

Keep your plowshare and your sword. Know how and when to use them.

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cbshtr posted this 21 March 2011

My first powder charged gun was a 12 gauge H&R Topper with a 30” full choke barrel. That was 40 years ago and I still use it. I followed that up with a 20 gauge Junior model that my kids do not enjoy shooting. Once I started shooting cast bullets my attention was on bolt actions because they were suppose to be more accurate. Recently I bought a 22-250 Handi Rifle and added a 50 caliber muzzle loader and 20 gauge Ultra Slug barrel. They all shot good and I'm thinking of shooting lead out of the 22-250 at 22LR velocities. Last week I got a chance to go to a gun shop and came across a 45/70 Ultra Hunter. It looked new but the receiver had scratches on it. They were asking $400 for it. It was more than I could spend at the time but was that a good price? I know I could just buy a barrel for my receiver for one third the cost but that thumbhole stock felt really good in the hands and looks good as well with all the stainless hardware. Anyone have experience with this gun? Is it a good lead shooter and if so what works?

Robert Homan

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Haretwigger posted this 11 March 2011

I am an admitted Handiholic and really like them for what they are. The big trick is getting the forend bedded right. Most Handis respond well to sanding out the barrel channel and installing a rubber o-ring over the barrel stud thus creating clearence between barrel and forend. Do not rest the forend on sandbags bur rather the reciever. Every Handi I've been around shot very well with this method. BTW, current Hornets are 1-9 twist.

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tturner53 posted this 10 March 2011

'The Easy Way'- I sent my frame in to the factory and got a new .444 barrel fitted, pretty fair price too. They replaced some of the parts without asking me, but there was no charge and the trigger seems better. Sad to say I really haven't wrung it out good yet, so many projects, so little time. It kicks, hard. An old friend used to hunt elk with a .444, said it dropped 'em pretty good.

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catncarp posted this 10 March 2011

Just watch out for the serial; number if you are going to bore to 444/ The number has to be nn or hn  or better to take the pressure

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tturner53 posted this 25 May 2010

Banks, check out Graybeard Outdoors H&R forum. I think you can find someone there who will do it.

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banks6702 posted this 25 May 2010

Is there anyone who can bore a NEF rifle barrel in .44 magnum so that it will chambsr .444 marlin cartridges ? would it be safe to do so ?And what would roughly be the cost? I have a NEF single shot rifle that I would like to give a little more power to so I can use it for feral hog hunting!!

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RicinYakima posted this 15 April 2010

Ed, I am glad it worked out for you! Those are great groups from that AMU chamber. Ric

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Ed Harris posted this 15 April 2010

Here is my latest .38 Special Rook Rifle with AMU chamber built on Ric Boman's old 28-ga. H&R shotgun. With 25 inch Green Mountain barrel and XS systems ghost ring peep sights weighs 5 pounds, 4 oz.  As Elmer Fudd would say ..."Verrrry quieeettt so as not to scare the bunny wabbits."

Note groups were fired at TWENTY (20) yards, indoors.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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tturner53 posted this 31 March 2010

Well speaking of the devil! It's a small world here, I am building up supplies to cast and load for a .444. I was lucky and scored one of your molds on cboolits, it's a 265-RF. Mine are dropping at .433 and I'm tumble lubing them with a gc. Very nice design, fills a gap in my .44 mold selection, my big one is the Lee 310 gr. and then some old Lyman and RCBS standbys. Haven't done any load developement as I don't have a .444 yet! I'd almost give my lefnut to have that Gander Mt. you had took. (Find him, #@%l him). Got used dies, brass, everything but a gun. I bought a .444 chambered barrel threaded for a SMLE, already has the extractor cut and all, but that's a ways out pending funds and parts. I've read about people buying factory .44 Magnum barrels and rechambering them to .444 ( To all concerned: I want to buy a H&R/NEF .444 barrel). Anyway, I know that sick feeling when I've lost a good one, especially to a thief, some bitter tastes. I hope your Handi collection is reborn, they are good cheap fun. By the way, load recomendations for the Ranch Dog TLC432-265-RF in a .444 or .44 SBH?   EDIT: It looks like my 265 in your avatar.

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Ranch Dog posted this 31 March 2010

Lordy, I wish you guys wouldn't talk about these rifles, I had three; 223 Rem, 30-30 Win, and a 444 Marlin. I was talked out of the first two and a no-good ex-son-in-law ran off with my 444 Marlin. That rifle was a special order from Gander Mountain years before the current H&R offering. They all shot great but had extraction problems, especially the 223 Rem. I had to carry a brass rod with that rifle!

I have a hunter that has a Handi in 243 Win and a friend with one in 22 Hornet. They both seem to function very well.

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