50-70 Handi Rifle

[Joe Lansing]

    I have been considering the possibility of rechambering an H&R Handi Rifle in 50 S&W to 50-70. Does anyone have any knowlege of such a conversion and what shop can do it if it's feasable? I have a 45-70 Handi Rifle which I am very happy with, but I would love to have one in 50-70.

                                                    J.L.

[French Jack]

You can do it yourself with a chambering reamer and a T-handle extension for it.  A word of caution, remove the ejector prior to chambering, as it is too hard to be cut by the chambering reamer.  It will require opening up by a carbide end mill or a dremel tool.

Reamers can be rented instead of purchased.  You can google them.

The stumbling block is the bore size.  The .50 S&W is .010" undersize for the 50-70.  That's like shooting .45's in a .44 bore.  Don't know anyone who can rebore and rerifle with that amount to work with.  The only option would be to ream and install a liner.  Bob Hoyt in Fairfield, PA. can do it, I am sure there are others.

[Joe Lansing]

   Thanks, F.J.. This gives me a starting point.

                                         J.L.

[Galen]

Had my Handi rifle relined to 50-70. Kicks like a mule! Not as accurate as it was when it was 45-70.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Had my Handi rifle relined to 50-70. Kicks like a mule! Not as accurate as it was when it was 45-70.

That may depend greatly on the rate of twist your liner has.

[1961MJS]

Had my Handi rifle relined to 50-70. Kicks like a mule! Not as accurate as it was when it was 45-70.

JEEEEZZZZZ, Aren't Handi Rifles REALLY light?  (nope, looked it up 7 pounds).  My neighbor had a .45-70 Marlin and he said it was brutal.  I can't imagine the whole concept.  The Marlins are 7 pounders too though.

Later

[Galen]

Hoyt in Pennsylvania can reline the handi rifle.