Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Anybody here use a H&R sportster .22?

Got a hankering for a SS .22 breakopen to set up for squirrel hunting. I have a Marlin 39a that I bought new in 1974, that I've probably shot over 500 squirrels with. Last couple of years, I've gotten enamored with SS rifles, of different persuasions. I've decided to get back into a lot more squirrel hunting this next yr., and I'd like to use a little singleshot .22 hammergun.

So, anything you can tell me about the little sportster would be of help. Trigger pull out of the box, fit, finnish, etc. Good or bad. Let me know. Thanks!


maddog

I've got one in .22mag. Well, when my bud will leave it alone.
Mine was great outa the box.
Absolutely loves the Armscor soft point jacketed loads. When you can find them. It shoots the TNT's almost as well.
It's carrying a Nikon Prostaff 4x rimfire.

if its anything like its big brothers, its a keeper for sure. i'd like to see some reviews too, if the pawn shop doesn't have what i'm looking for, this will be my next choice. (i just really want a marlin)

I have one that I use off and on...nice "go-to-gun", when I see some rabbits or squirrels in the back field or hopping my fence rows..

I took the trigger group out of mine a couple years ago and honed things up. It reduced my group sizes by 50%.

Here's a pic:

I'd one in 17m2 that was a bug-holer. It's my sons now.

I'm convinced. Gonna have one in the next month. Nice pic posted above.


maddog

I think its clear you are sold on one but...
If you want to learn more go to Greybeards

go2gbo.com
The boys there take those very serious
I enjoy the site quite a bit

I have 2 22mags in Handis
one sportster and they made a full size at one time looks like an "ultra hunter"
Hank

boatboy, I do post over there, occasionally. I did ask about the sportster, and the views there, match the ones here.


maddog

Thanks, One thing I added to mine (since scope was mounted), was one of these:
http://www.unclemikes.com/products/hammer_extensions.html

Makes it handier for cocking the hammer. If you look close you can see it in the pic.

dave

Well, I got one ordered yesterday. Should be in late next week.


maddog

hey, tell us how she shoots. was gonna get one before i got my 64. *sigh* bang, jam, cycle, click, cycle, bang, jam, etc. but it has put two tree rats on the table... oops, sorry to thread steal. anyway, good hunting.

piero, will do, but from the looks of the Indiana weather, it may be awhile. Hope to get it next week. Get it home and mount a scope on it, I'll post a pic.


maddog

Here is how the rifle in the picture posted above shoots (after I honed my trigger group a bit..) It also groups Wolf MT similar.

WOW, nice groups. I'll see what the trigger pull is like on the new one, then maybe follow what you did. Thanks!


maddog

here is the guide I used for working on your trigger group:

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/topic,52341.msg308025.html#msg308025

thought that's what you might suggest. I'm a member over there and have seen that, in the handi rifle forums under FAQs.


maddog

kicking myself in the arse now.... nice groups though

Dealer said my gun should be in tomorrow. Went to another shop. and got a scope base and hammer extension, and picked up a box of Eley SV LR, and some CCI CB caps. I'm gonna try several different brands of ammo in it. Been so long since I bought any .22 rimfire ammo. Still have 12-1400 rds of WW wildcats, that I use in my 39a.


maddog

piero, ok here ya go. I got everything done on the sportster, and took it for a run, this pm. Shot 4 different brands of amm thru it. All of the ammo was "minute of squirrel". Here is a few pics of the gun, and one target. I checked the trigger pull, and it's a tick over 4 lbs. At 60 yo., the gun shoots better than I can. The scope is a Nikon prostaff shotgun scope, 2-7x. I think I've found my new favorite squill rifle!

pics




In my basement, with everything on board.




out at the farm on the bags.





got other pics, but this was the best. CCI standard vel. long rifles. I think I've found my new favorite squirrel gun!



maddog

maddog, looks like you have a great new addition! Congrats!
dave