H&R 157 in 30-30

militant · February 13, 2013, 06:08 PM

I just picked one of these up for cheap. I needed a decent hunting rifle and 30-30 can do the job. This is an older H&R, probably 1960-70's?
What are your experiences with these rifles.

Goatwhiskers · February 13, 2013, 07:17 PM

Perfectly good for the job. The frame, just so you know, is cast iron, so stick with factory or low to middle of the road handloads. It's not designed for hot rod stuff. GW

Guv · February 13, 2013, 08:29 PM

Absolutely my first and long gone and missed deer rifle. If yours has the straight grip sounds just like my old one. The receiver is cast steel not cast iron, we'll leave that for some of those late WW2 Arisakas.

jaysouth · February 13, 2013, 08:53 PM

Here is one I have been tinkering with since buying at a gun show last summer. I trimmed and crowned the barrel, drilled the scope rail mount holes to 8-32.

Because of the steel frame, I only shoot a couple of factory rounds to sight in and hunt with. My weekly plinking load is a 165 cast bullet over 10 grs of Red Dot. A light load that does not unduly stress the frame. The red dot Bushnell sight will produce 4-6 inch groups at 100 yards.

militant · February 13, 2013, 09:10 PM

I only plan on shooting remington core lokt and Winchester white box.

jaysouth · February 14, 2013, 06:24 PM

The useful service life of the steel frames is likely a couple of thousand factory rounds.

If you only use your Topper 30-30 for hunting, you will never come close to shooting this amount.

I certainly could not afford to buy that that many factory loads, but i do sometimes get carried away with shooting reloads. I want to baby mine and make it last a long time. Before next deer season, I am going to rig some iron sights that will withstand knocking around that would terminate the red dot or a scope.

Jack O'Conner · February 16, 2013, 11:37 AM

These are sturdy built rifles that will last at least a lifetime with minimal routine maintenance. H & R single shot rifles are not for every hunter but those who have them tend to be careful shooters. Triggers are functional but not great. Yet a good rifle shooter can master this trigger with practise.

I've been a big fan of the 30-30 cartrdige for several decades. Its a KEEPER!

Jack

militant · February 16, 2013, 04:53 PM

I just did a 1 1/8 group at 100 yards with mine after a box of shells worth of practice. None over 3 inch. I am very impressed. It will be my deer rifle.

Tom Matiska · February 18, 2013, 04:52 PM

Now that you know it is accurate enough, you may want to try Hornady's FTX's. Legit 250+ yard range...

militant · February 18, 2013, 05:43 PM

I have been wanting to try some of that leverlution ammo. I cannot find 30-30 ammo in my area.

February 13, 2013, 06:08 PM	#1
militant Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 519	H&R 157 in 30-30 I just picked one of these up for cheap. I needed a decent hunting rifle and 30-30 can do the job. This is an older H&R, probably 1960-70's? What are your experiences with these rifles. __________________ A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44

February 13, 2013, 09:10 PM	#5
militant Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 519	I only plan on shooting remington core lokt and Winchester white box. __________________ A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44

February 16, 2013, 11:37 AM	#7
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	These are sturdy built rifles that will last at least a lifetime with minimal routine maintenance. H & R single shot rifles are not for every hunter but those who have them tend to be careful shooters. Triggers are functional but not great. Yet a good rifle shooter can master this trigger with practise. I've been a big fan of the 30-30 cartrdige for several decades. Its a KEEPER! Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

February 16, 2013, 04:53 PM	#8
militant Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 519	I just did a 1 1/8 group at 100 yards with mine after a box of shells worth of practice. None over 3 inch. I am very impressed. It will be my deer rifle. __________________ A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44

February 18, 2013, 05:43 PM	#10
militant Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 519	I have been wanting to try some of that leverlution ammo. I cannot find 30-30 ammo in my area. __________________ A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44

February 13, 2013, 07:17 PM	#2
Goatwhiskers Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2009 Location: Batchelor, La. Posts: 579	Perfectly good for the job. The frame, just so you know, is cast iron, so stick with factory or low to middle of the road handloads. It's not designed for hot rod stuff. GW

February 13, 2013, 08:29 PM	#3
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	Absolutely my first and long gone and missed deer rifle. If yours has the straight grip sounds just like my old one. The receiver is cast steel not cast iron, we'll leave that for some of those late WW2 Arisakas.

February 13, 2013, 08:53 PM	#4
jaysouth Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 787	Here is one I have been tinkering with since buying at a gun show last summer. I trimmed and crowned the barrel, drilled the scope rail mount holes to 8-32. Because of the steel frame, I only shoot a couple of factory rounds to sight in and hunt with. My weekly plinking load is a 165 cast bullet over 10 grs of Red Dot. A light load that does not unduly stress the frame. The red dot Bushnell sight will produce 4-6 inch groups at 100 yards.

February 14, 2013, 06:24 PM	#6
jaysouth Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 787	The useful service life of the steel frames is likely a couple of thousand factory rounds. If you only use your Topper 30-30 for hunting, you will never come close to shooting this amount. I certainly could not afford to buy that that many factory loads, but i do sometimes get carried away with shooting reloads. I want to baby mine and make it last a long time. Before next deer season, I am going to rig some iron sights that will withstand knocking around that would terminate the red dot or a scope.

February 18, 2013, 04:52 PM	#9
Tom Matiska Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Posts: 1,029	Now that you know it is accurate enough, you may want to try Hornady's FTX's. Legit 250+ yard range...

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