Barrel Diameters ?

[Landry308]

Hi guys, new to the site. Wow, what a wealth of info. on the Handi !

I could use a little help with my latest project. I am going to build a .375 wildcat based on the 30-06 case, not sure exactly which version yet, probably AI or Hawk/Scovill. Anyway, need to start with a barrel 26" and 30-06 size case and have it rebored. I would like to use the barrel with the largest diameter possible. Is the diameter of the .25-06 and .280 the same, or is there any difference ? Does anyone know the muzzle diameters ?  Am I overlooking one that meets the criteria and is heavier than these two ? I looked at FAQ and didn't see anything, and called HnR Customer service and the lady didn't know, said she'd have to go measure each one, but didn't offer to do so.

[MSP Ret]

I will get into the gunlocker later today and get back to you with some diameters of 26" barrels. I do not recall any bull barrel 30-06, .280, or 25-06 barrels ever being offered. There was a limited offering of the .35 Whelen in a 26" barrel a while ago but they are difficult to come by and they were not a bull barrel, I have one and it is a great gun. The .308 was offered in a bull barrel but not in 26" as far as I know. I am not aware of any 26" bull barrel ever being offered by H&R/NEF, since you are planning to rebore the barrel anyway rechambering would not be much more. You may have to
have a barrel stubbed into your desired configuration. I am in the proicess of having a .45 ACP barrel made for my Handi's right now using a 20 gauge barrel as a donor for the stub and a new SS barrel placed into that. If you cannot find the barrel diameter in the length you want stubbing may be the (only) way to go, and perhaps not much, if any, more expensive in the end....<><....

P.S. - how rude of me, WELCOME ABOARD!!! I see this is your first post here, this is a great place to come and the guys here are very helpful. Come often, stay late, and Merry Christmas to you and yours....<><....

[MSP Ret]

H&R offers a 22" .308 bull barrel and several other caliber 24" bull barrels (.223, .204) in either fluted or non-fluted configurations but I am not aware of any 26" bull barrels you can get from them. The 24" fluted or non-fluted bull barrels would require rechambering as well as reboring but the reboring is the most expensive of the 2 and most gunsmiths offer a reboring, rechambering combo deal. If you still want a 26" bull barrel I believe you may have to have one stubbed. I would send you some info on my stubbing project but as I understand the Personal Message (PM) system you have to have at least 10 posts to send or receive messages. If you are interested you can e-mail me and I will send you some information....<><....

[Landry308]

Thanks,

I prefer to stay with the rebore/rechamber. I had considered one of the 24" bull barrels, but the rebore guys I talked to were worried about leaving a ring in the chamber if the host gun started out as something short with less body taper, like a .308. If the 25-06 or 280 barrels are as heavy, as say, my .444 barrel, that would be plenty.

[quickdtoo]

The 25-06 and 280 barrels have the same contour, Mac and I both have had 338-06 A-Squares done from 25-06 barrels by Wayne York, I've contemplated and discussed a .375 with Wayne which would work also from either barrel. If you decide you want a .400 something, the 28" 38-55 barrel will be a great donor barrel as it is a heavy contour, I have one in .405 Winchester that shoots extremely well as do our 338s.

Welcome aboard and Merry Christmas!!

Tim

[Landry308]

Thanks again,

My goal is a TSX 235gr at 2700-2800. I can do the .375-06 and start now or wait for the new magnum and do a .375-300 Win. That would give me more flexibility and the ability to load to full H&H mag velocity if I wanted to. I've just never been good at waiting once I get an idea in my head. Glad to hear good reports on Wayne. He was already on my short list, but you guys results with him will make my decision easier.

Do you have the muzzle diameter of the 25-06 ? Or do you know if it's roughly the same countour as the .444 ?

[quickdtoo]

Barrel diameters are listed in the "More Handi Info" section of the FAQs, the 26" barrels aren't all identical, but will be ~.650" at the muzzle, the .444 is much bigger.

FWIW, A 22" Handi 35 Whelen will do over 2800fps with a 225gr TSX, the 26" RMEF Whelen will do 2900fps, but both are hard to find as neither is made anymore. 

Tim

[Landry308]

Thanks, Tim

I've been through the FAQ several times, can't find the list of barrel diameters. Which sub-heading is it under ?

[quickdtoo]

Barrel diameters are listed in the "More Handi Info" section of the FAQs, the 26" barrels aren't all identical, but will be ~.650" at the muzzle, the .444 is much bigger.

FWIW, A 22" Handi 35 Whelen will do over 2800fps with a 225gr TSX, the 26" RMEF Whelen will do 2900fps, but both are hard to find as neither is made anymore. 

Tim

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.msg504312.html#msg504312 reply #4.

[MSP Ret]

Muzzle diameters of the following H&R/NEF barrels that I just measured:

26" .280 Remington = .680

26"  .35 Whelen      = .680

24" BB .223 Rem.    = .773

I hope this helps....<><....

[Landry308]

Yes, thanks

I think I'll start with a .243 BB if Wayne thinks a ring won't be left in the chamber at the old shoulder location. I'll ask him after the holidays. Guess I could use .223 BB if resizing the extractor won't be a problem for him ?

[MSP Ret]

no problem I am sure, he can do it all....<><....