Reaming an H&R Ultra Slug Hunter

EasternPredHunter

EasternPredHunter

New member
Can I ream an H&R Ultra slug hunter to 3 1/2"? Keep in mind, the barrels on these gun are EXTREMELY thick (probably about the thickness of 4 quarters laying on each other.....maybe 5). It would be going from a 3" to 3 1/2". I have heard a few times of people doing this and they work fine.

 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: EasternPredHunterCan I ream an H&R Ultra slug hunter to 3 1/2"? .


I have heard a few times of people doing this and they work fine.



Then I guess you could ???
 
Originally Posted By: pcammoWhy would you want to do this?

Dat's what I was thinking...

I wouldn't waste my $$ on it,esp since it's an H&R .
 
Does it not kick hard enough for you being a 3 inch? I thought I'd never say it but...I've heard the slug rifles shoot pretty good for an H&R.
 
I want it to hunt with, I like the power the 3 1/2" gives down range, and I'm not recoil sensitive at all to them. I just ran my gun through some of my friends steel 3 1/2" mag BB loads and I dont feel any pain whatsoever.

The H&R's are the ticket for slug guns...on average for out of the box accuracy the are almost the best. Tar hunt has them beat for out of the box, otherwise they would be.

I have 2 H&R's and I love them. I dont hear much, if any, parts breaking on their Ultra slug series. Plus its made in the US, meaning I dont have to send my money over seas.

I dont mean to sound rude but I'm not asking for opinions on H&R gun, but the ability to ream them for a 3 1/2".
 
You may want to check out Shotgunworld.com They have a slug shooters specific forum and gunsmithing forums and there are some very knowledgeable people there that could probably answer your question.
 
In many ways the 12ga. 3.5" chamber is pure marketing hype. There are some steel loads that actually benefit from the added payload capacity. If you handload and have the ability to assemble loads that are not listed in any manual......then you MAY find some benefit for a couple loads involving large buckshot. The 3.5" 12 gauge slug provides no benefit over the 3" slug. Even though the 3.5" chamber supposedly has a slightly higher SAAMI pressure limit than the 3"; the fact is, major ammunition companies do not load it that way. Furthermore, a 12 gauge slug is a rather short projectile when compared to the OAL of a loaded shotshell. Guess what they fill up all that extra space with? Cardboard or other wadding.

Lightfield does boast some impressive velocities for their 1 3/8 oz 3.5 in slug loads. Unfortunately, I have never been able to come within 450fps of their posted velocities. It may be that one of those fine Tar Hunt rifles can achieve that level of performance, but it is unlikely you are going to get there with the tube that comes on the H&R as they are considerably oversized compared to what Tar Hunt uses (I have the 870 conversion).

If you have a H&R that shoots well then it would be ill advised to screw up the chamber. If you decided to undertake this adventure then PTG sells the reamer you will need. I just sold the one I had on Gun Broker for $10.00 more than I paid PTG for it. It would really be of benefit to carefully measure your chamber (think chamber cast) and get PTG to custom grind a reamer. H&R is the only company that cuts a worse chamber than some of the new Savages. As a result, their dimensions vary considerably. Good Luck.

John
 
3-1/3" loads only are advantageous in some steel loads. Look at the gains, of any, with a 3-1/2 and I'm sure you won't see enough to justify.
 
Originally Posted By: EasternPredHunterLooking at ballistics, with the 3 1/2" slug I'm getting about 800 more ft. lbs. of energy.

And for American thin skinned game this is going to gain you nothing when talking about a 1+ oz shotgun slug.


Good luck with your project, let us know how it turns out.
John
 
Well have fun with that light gun. Energy isn't what kills. Placing shots that make holes in organs is.

Not to mention, the cost of the ream is gonna be almost as much that gun. I don't see the advantage. Plus, the 3-1/2" slugs are very limited. Good lick with whatever you do.

Not that you have ever taken advice here. How's that HR 22 mag?
 
I'm
Also betting that the deer, bear, hogs, or sasquatchs will not be able to tell the difference between getting shot with the 3 or 3 1/2...but your shoulder will.

I'm all for getting what you want and being happy, but when it dosebt make sense, case in point, well....it just dosent make sense

Good luck
 
Holy smokes, maybe the guy just wants to experiment a little. It doesnt make any difference if he gains anything, the fact is it's his gun and he wants to look at reaming it out and trying something different.
 
I would also take into consideration as to weather or not the reciever is going to be able to take the recoil of a 3.5. My buddy has a slug hunter and it shoots the 2.75" SST slugs jus fine and they kill the hec out of deer well past 150yds.
 
Yes it can be done if you want. The frame will handle it just fine, it is the SB1 frame which H&R builds there 3.5" turkey guns off of.
 
Originally Posted By: dubllung4Yes it can be done if you want. The frame will handle it just fine, it is the SB1 frame which H&R builds there 3.5" turkey guns off of.

Thanks thats what i needed to know
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top