Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles H&R 1871 single shot in .223

Any experience with these rifles? Just bought one on sunday for gophers and prairie dogs, heard they were nice guns, but haven't got to shoot it yet...trigger needs to be adjusted BAD!!!! Will let you know how mine shoots, and any information on experiences with H&R is appreciated.<BR><P>------------------<BR>God Bless and Shoot Straight

I got mine about 7 years ago. It is a good rifle for the money. I had a smith do a trigger job on mine, it feels pretty good and it breaks @ 3.5#. I saw a how-too guide for these triggers online but can't find it now. I've heard that the factory will do a great trigger job for free if you send it back to them. Might as well get some more barrels at that time also. <BR>I'm not a very good marksman but mine will shoot MOA with factory ammo. It has a $40 Simmons 3-9x40 8-Point scope on it. It is a good value. I also have a 24" rifled 12 guage barrel with open sights. It shoots very well.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA<BR>What are the odds? I have the $40 Simmons 8 point on mine too!!!!!!! How does yours perform? (scope) I can't wait to shoot some Pdogs with this thing, One shot, One kill. How do you go about getting barrels? Any special tools needed? Any adapters or anything like that? wouldn't mind getting a .270 .243 or 12GA. Keep in touch man...<BR>Wierd...........Still LMAO<P>------------------<BR>God Bless and Shoot Straight

Since my first post didn't show, I'll try again. About 8 years ago I bought a NEF .223. I really like this gun. I'm no marksman but I can shoot MOA with factory ammo using a $40 Simmons 3-9x40 8 Point scope. I had a 'smith work on my trigger. He got it to 3.5# and I am happy with it for a hunting gun. I can't seem to locate the info on the web about how to work these triggers but I have found it before. Also, I've heard that the factory will do a very good trigger job for FREE!! This would be the perfect time to get another barrel for it. I have a 24" rifled 12 guage barrel with open sights. It shoots very well.

Yeah, WEIRD, now my first post showed up!! Any way, great minds think alike . I am very happy with this scope. Fog, water and shock proof with a lifetime warranty, what's not to like? I also like the one shot, one kill theory as I started out with a single shot .22 Winchester model 67. There should be some info with your new rifle about how to get barrels. H&R might have a slightly different policy about barrels than NEF for some reason if I recall. BTW, Marlin bought these brands in the fall of last year. I guess they plan on doing business as usual. About the barrels, Send the receiver with stock attached along with the forearm to the factory and insure it. Give them the part # of the barrel(s) you want. They usually have an acceptable turn around time. I'd call the factory before doing any of this though, it may have changed since I did it. The new barrel will fit right in, like factory w/o doing anything special. The new barrel will probably come with a new forend. <P>Also, Handi-Rifles will accept rifle OR shotgun barrels but shotguns can only be fitted for shotgun barrels. For this reason I would buy a rifle not a shotgun, this way you have more options down the road.<P> <A HREF="http://www.newenglandfirearms.com" TARGET=_blank>www.newenglandfirearms.com</A>

You may also want to see the new Guns & Ammo. They compared the H&R, Savage, Ruger and Sako. The H&R and Savage did very well.

H&R 1871 Inc will not fit accessory barrels to any firearm marked H&R. The only guns they will do the extra barrel thing for are the New England Firearms brand. This is because they are not the same company as the orig H&R and don't want to handle any of those guns manufactured previous to the formation of the current H&R company.<BR> <BR>As far as the accessory barrels for NEF guns are concerned, there is a somewhat limited selection. The only ones available are .223, 30-30, 44 mag, 45-70, 22 hornet, and 357 magnum. Not a very good selection for a big game gun.<P>I have both a NEF Handi rifle in 45-70 and a H&R Ultra in 25-06. I thought about getting a .223 or .30-30 barrel for the Handi-rifle, but the stock isn't set up very good for a scope and if you buy another set of laminated monte carlo stocks (like an Ultra rifle) your'e almost up to the cost of a new Ultra rifle anyway (figuring in the barrel cost too). So I figure I'll just get an H&R in .223 instead and save the trouble of changing barrels. And maybe one in .243, .308, and .30-06 too just for the fun of it.<P>Have fun with it!

444,<P>Do me a favor and try this load in your H&R and see if it shoots as well in yours as it does in mine. Post back and let me know, okay?<P>40 grain Nosler ballistic tip<P>Winchester nickel cases if possible (you can purchase a box of Winchester Supreme 40 grain noslers and those should shoot well. Afterwards, you should have some great nickel cases.<P>VARGET powder, 27.5 grains. This will be up in the case neck, but .5 grains under max.<P>IMPORTANT!!! Overall length of cartridge at 2.225". This appears short, but trust me on this one.<P>I used Federal 205 primers. My rifle will put all rounds from a five shot group on a dime every time, and often puts three or four of this load in one hole.<P>Best of luck,<P>Wizard

As for the stock not being good for scope use it is very easy to make your own stock. Get a nice piece of walnut, drill a hole through the blank for the stock bolt and a larger hole to allow a socket wrench . Don't worry as to the exact depth of the larger openning as you can replace the bolt or add spacers as needed. A bit of work with a wood rasp and sand paper will quickly fit the butt to the simple inletting of these stocks. I used my wifes old lipstick on the rear of the action to highlight the places were wood needed to be removed, just keep removing any "red" wood with a rasp until at last the complete joint is red showing complete contact. <BR>After the butt is mounted you can shape the stock to a "custom" fit.Length, height and style are yours to choose. You may want to work up a model using cheap spruce to get ideas as to the best shape.<BR>On one of my H&R's I even went to the extra work of fitting a brass piece to replace the plastic rear of the forestock.<BR>For a finish I used Watco Danish Oil

Larry is right. H&R1871, LLC will not provide additional barrels for any H&R products - NEF only. In fact, I sent my request for a heavy barrel in .223 to supplement my .22 Hornet today.

I just got my handi-rifle back with the heavy barrel chambered in .223. I am excited to go the range this weekend. Anyone find an accuracte factory load until I get my reloading goodies set up?

RE: Good factory loads<BR>Great factory loads I've used in my .223<BR>1) American Eagle, 55gr HP (hollow points) [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img] and 50 gr HPs<BR>2) Winchester USA brand 45gr JHPs!!!!!! they work terrific, and man...they turn Prairie Dogs INSIDE OUT!!!

Break in your barrel well by shooting a couple shots of cheap ammo, cleaning, and repeating until you've fired around forty or so rounds. Accuracy will seem sporadic until break in. Be patient...<P>Use JB bore paste to condition the bore, remove with oil. Use copper solvents sparingly. I believe that *some* copper in the bore actually aids in consistency--especially in lower buck mass produced rifles like these.<P>Owners of the Ultra Varmint .223 (and perhaps the NEF) will be doing yourselves a great disservice by not trying the 40 grain Nosler load I've posted info on above. [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img] <P>At the risk of seeming to lie, I'll tell you that more than one three shot group from my H&R has gone into the *same hole* at 100 yards. The largest group with this load and rifle has been less than 1/2 an inch. I have had no trouble embarrassing a few high dollar bolt rifle owners with this little thing. <P>Factory 40 grain loads do best, in my experience. The Winchester Supreme 40 grain Nosler factory load is great, shooting 1/2 to 3/4 inch in my rifle.<P>Keep in mind that I have free floated the forward portion of the forearm on my rifle. I have also done a nice 2 pound trigger job.<P>Overall length of the handload is *critical* in reproducing the results I've had, so keep it short. I realize that identical rifles may have different appetites when it comes to reloaded (or factory) ammo, but you should be in the ball park with this info.<P>Let me know how things go,<P>Wizard

Just got back from the range, and all I can say is wow! What a sweet (and cheap) rifle). I went to the gun store yestersay and bought a box of Winchester Varmint X or whatever they call it -- you know the 45 grain hollow points and they shot awesome.<P>I started at 50 feet and placed the first shot a couple inches high and to the left and corrected the sighting with a few clicks and bam! X-ring. Moved out to 100 yards and took another shot. Made a few clicks to correct elevation and bam. X-ring. <P>I shot a lot of rounds today and am very satisfied. I have found a new coyote rifle for this year. I JB'd the barrell prior to going to the range. Thank you, Varmint Al, for the tip. <P>One last thought. My uncle and brother in law were there and they aren't really shooters. Uncle Dave asked me if this rifle would be loud? I said I dunno this is the first time I am shooting it. Josh said back to him that the gun is just a .22 at heart so it really wouln't be that bad. Me? I had my damn ear plugs in so just smiled and shot. Uncle Dave yelled Woa, that short barrel is Loud! HeHeHe. Uncle Dave asked for a pair of ear plugs that he was too sissy to wear earlier. <P>Now that I am thinking about it does anyone out there know the twist rate for the NEF Handi-Rifles? The Winchesters I picked up said they were designed for rifles with a slower twist. Must be the right load for this rifle - now comes the fun part though - reloading! Take it easy.

Varminteer,<P>Don't forget about the load I posted above [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img] ...<P>What scope are you using? Have you had the trigger done?<P>Accuracy can be enhanced even further by free floating the portion of the forearm in front of the attachment screw.<P>Keep your scope rings on the portion of the base which is not elevated.<P>Winchester nickel cases (obtained from fired 40 grain Nosler Winchester factory loads) have done the best for me. Don't use Remington brass--the runout (bullet wobble) is too high. Winchester nickel stays well under .003" runout in my system.<P>Let me know how things go, okay?<P>Wizard

Found it! <A HREF="http://pw1.netcom/~hntbambi/hntbambi/nef.html" TARGET=_blank>http://pw1.netcom/~hntbambi/hntbambi/nef.html</A> <BR>Hope this will help someone. [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<BR>OK, it doesn't work. I typed the above address in and I found a page about tuning the NEF/H&R trigger earlier this evening. I hope you guys are better with these computers than I am. [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img] Good luck.<BR>OK, I give up trying to get the link to work. [img]images/icons/mad.gif" border="0[/img] I'm sure it is because of the html code.I would copy and paste the article here but my computer won't let me. Sorry fellas. I found the address in a post at talk.Shooters.com in thread from August of '99 in the rifle section.

Hey Illinois Farm Boy, Help me if you can. I'm trying to locate the person who wrote that about tuning up the H&R/NEF. I have been unable to locate the post @ Shooters. If you can go back to the post and get me anything to help me locate him it will be helpful.<BR>Good Shooting...<BR>Den-Den

Hey 444 do you have anopinion on the model 444p by Marlin. I am wondering whether to get it or not.<P>UP Hunter<B>UP Hunter</B>

If you go to <A HREF="http://www.shooters.com" TARGET=_blank>www.shooters.com</A> and click on talk and then scroll down to firearms/airguns single shot you can do a search for old topics. With some work you can find a lot of info about the H&R. Most of it is complaining about the trigger. I copied and pasted the text of the article that was in my link into an e-mail if anyone wants it, I'd be glad to send it to them.

Hello Wizard. Just wondering if you can help me. I do not have JB bore paste, but have been using Remington bore cleaner (white bottle). I believe its close to the same thing. So far I've cleaned my H&R Ultra (223) twice with it (also been using the bore snake between groups) and my groups have been getting smaller (new gun, breaking it in). My groups started out around 2"+ @ 100 (scattered), but they have gotten smaller (1 1/4") from the cleaning. Is it good to continue this or should I stop (can I over do it with this bore cleaner)? I've shot around 140 rds. so far and at what point would you consider it broke in? I'm going to float the forend (I can slide a dollar bill under it now, but I will increase it), and have a trigger job done. Overall this rifle is not what I expected. I bought it for punching paper, and my Marlin 25MN can shoot tighter groups than what its producing (also my Marlin 444 has shot 1" groups @ 100). To be fair I've only put bulk ammo through it (UMC, Winchester, Coyote & Master), and I'm going to start using "Premium" ammo next. I have not given up on it yet, but this is more (group size) than I'm use to for a new rifle. Any and all suggestions welcomed.<BR>Good Shooting...<BR>Den-Den<P>P.S.<BR>I'm using a Bench Master rest, and the gun is scoped with a Tasco 6x24-42mm Varmint/Tactical