There were no SB1 (or SB2) frames before 1987, all their single shot frames were ductile cast iron similar to SB1, both the Maxi and 44 Mag were factory options on the M258 Handy Gun II combos 1982-86. I think frame stretch is a Contender thing, never seen such on any H&R, the internal action is where the flex happens, specifically the pin that supports the barrel catch, the weaker point on all of them is the underlug which is soft, probably designed that way from looking at how they're made.
Pressure isn't the only factor to consider, internal case head area and pressure determine breech thrust, for a relative ball park comparison here are breech thrust figures based on external diameter of the case head and SAAMI pressure for the 3 rounds, actual pressure would be less since the calculation is based on the internal case head area, not the OD, but they're still relative. The case head size and pressure is why there were no magnum rifle chamberings offered by H&R, or why no one makes short mag chamberings for the Encore, the huge .555" case head and 65kpsi pressure are just too much for the platform.
Sorry, Dave, but, I had to lol at what you said. "Give it to Timmy. He hates everything!
There ya go with that frame stretch myth again, no such thing on an SB2, the underlug is the relief point for excess pressure, there have been many reports of loose barrels due to underlug setback and wear on well used guns, one 38-55 owners shot the barrel loose after 3000+ rounds, most likely just from wear over the years, how many here lube the pivot on their guns? Here's an extreme example of frame strength when a 7.62x39 round was fired in a 243, barrel wouldn't break open after the shot, was sent to H&R, underlug was setback, but frame was fine, they put a new barrel on it and returned it.
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Guys...Guys...this was easily cleared up...I just got off the phone too with Gordon at H&R...and asked him exactly what was bent on the barrel,and as Matt had already stated...the reciever was fine..it wasn't stretched..nor was the hinge pin bent...it was the underlug...the barrel itself was fine...they had already checked the chamber and rifling...all seem ok to them...so they were in the process of putting it back on the reciever to test fire it when they found it to just wobble and wouldn't lock back up....He did say that a piece of the case was missing...and don't know if it just fell out or went down the barrel...but everything else was fine otherwise.This just goes to show you that the gun is a lot stronger than it is normally thought to be...and I for one am glad it has been worked out for the concerned parties involved.
As with any serious mishap like this...the most preudent thing one can do is to call the company and see what appropiate steps are to be taken.NEF ...and the folks who work in the customer service department are easy to work with and go out of their way to make things right for us,even when it's our own fault.
Mac
