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H & R Model 300

H & R Model 300

This rifle is the very essence of this series as it’s a classic American sporter from the 1960/1980s. Harrington & Richardson (H&R) made basic revolvers, break-barrel, single-shot rifles and shotguns and a repro of the 1874 Trapdoor Springfield. So adding a bolt-action to their portfolio would make sense. They did not make them fully in-house, preferring instead to buy in components and assemble with their badge stamped on.

MODEL 300

Called the Model 300 it was a pure sporter offered in a number of calibres. There are three different versions as to the action used; 1965 - 1972 FN Mauser-type, 1973-1977 SAKO and 1978 - 1983

Mauser-type Mark X from Zastava in Yugoslavia (now Serbia). Back then they still made good rifles and should not be confused with the Zastava Mausers brought in by Parker Hale in the 1990s, which were not all that! My tester is a Zastava in 243 Win and shows British proof marks for December 1980.

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Research indicates that stocks were made by Fagen and barrels by Douglas; two prestigious US companies. Taking the 300 apart shows no names on either of these components though the furniture is very reminiscent of Fagen. However, the inlet is not as good as I would have expected, by then H&R were making their own woodwork. Given this is the last version of the 300 I reckon the barrel is Zastava too.

GOOD WOOD

The stock is very nice with a medium weight, semi-beaver tail forend, long angled and hand-filling pistol grip and lovely roll over cheekpiece/comb, with grip and forend caps in rosewood and some nice chequering! At the back is a slim, red rubber recoil pad and white spacers. A previous owner has extended the LOP a little with a clear plastic spacer, nice work but it looks horrible!

The action is classic Mauser 98 though with an Interarms-type Mark X bolt shroud and a 2-position (push/pull) safety on the right. Feed is controlled round from a floor plate system. The trigger is fully adjustable.

Iron sights have been removed from the 22” lightweight barrel and the receiver shows a pair of basic, aluminium PH bases without recoil slots. The bore was literally black and took a lot of cleaning, inspection showed small pitting about 2/3rds of the way down, but the last few inches of rifling seemed fine as did the commencement at the chamber. Not perfect but it shot acceptably for closer deer work, though is probably due a new tube soon. Equally it would make a great donor stock/action for a semi-custom, as in 243 Win it offers some good calibre choices on that head size.

Price on the tag is £350, which is a bit over the top, I’d say £250/300 or if the barrel is near gone £200/250 as a donor. My thanks to Neal Parnham (Suffolk Rifle Co) for the loan.Contact: Suffolk Rifle Co, 01473 730035www.suffolkrifle.co.uk

  • H & R Model 300 - image {image:count}

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  • H & R Model 300 - image {image:count}

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  • H & R Model 300 - image {image:count}

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