I was looking at the H&R1871 web site and noticed the handi-rifle is being chambered in .50S&W. If we extrapolate the ballistics from the revolver to the rifle we can have a 440 grain bullet at 2000 to 2100 fps. This gives almost 4200 ft/lbs of energy. These are my figures and could be wrong but this puts a handi-rifles in useful for anything which walks or crawls anywhere on earth. Am I figuring this right? I am also wondering about monster recoil.
You're not the first to be interested in this rig. I posted the same question on here a few months ago. After a few chimed in, I do believe I would still rather have the .45-70. True, the .500 would fit the bill you described above, but so does the .45-70, and the .45-70 will do it much cheaper than the .500 probably ever will. Either way, you will still end up with a very nice, compact and fast handling gun that probably couldn't be beat in the woods. What ever floats your boat!!!
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was looking at the H&R1871 web site and noticed the handi-rifle is being chambered in .50S&W. If we extrapolate the ballistics from the revolver to the rifle we can have a 440 grain bullet at 2000 to 2100 fps. This gives almost 4200 ft/lbs of energy
You'll have some deer waving the white flag if they see their brethren get pancaked by that. Holy Cow. Not sure if a Handi rifle can handle that sort of energy and distribute it well. I think I would want a 9 lb handi rifle for sure
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The .50 S&W is in the 60,000 psi range, from what I've read. If this is true could one use ruger #1, Browning 1885 reloading info for the H&R? This puts a 500 grain bullet at 1800 fps. This is in the nasty area when recoiling in a 7 lb rifle. I am not bothered by recoil, I've shot some guns which would smack hard and fast, but why take unnecessary punishment? Obviously I am deciding which I want to purchase.
Oldelkhunter,
I am remebering the psi from the Guns and Ammo article I read. If I remember correctly the .50S&W had similar pressures as the .454 Casul, which is in the nieghborhood of 60,000 psi. I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time and won't be the last. The reason I remember this is someone had asked if the .50S&W could be chambered in a Marlin 94 and this was the reason given for not seeing the .454 and .50 in lever action form except for the Legacy by Puma is chambered for the .454. I am asking because I didn't have any info to lead me anywhere.
Ok, I was wrong. I just checked a reloading manual on line and it was 52,000-53,000 psi for the 500 S&W and 454 Casul. Still this puts the 45/70 in Ruger#1 and Browning 1885 range for the H&R1871 single shot. We're talking Africa levels in a 7 lb rifle. I guess it will but one or the other for the deer/bear hunts in the UP of Mi this year.
You won't want to go above Marlin load data in 45-70 Govt for the H&R, and be careful with that. The pressure can cause the action to open, and while you might think automatic ejection is a good thing, it isn't on a single-shot rifle. Besides, heavy loads+light rifle= torn rotator cuff. Been there, done that.
I think it would be a good idea. Why? Because rifle companies seem to be chambering handgun calibers in all sorts of rifles and rifle calibers in handguns.
H&R handi in 50S&W
