Welcome, if you’re a newcomer to this enjoyable bi-weekly section of AllOutdoor.com! Final time round, we explored the relationship system, specs, and aftermarket components availability of the H&R Mannequin 676. This adopted our deep dives into the revolver’s fascinating historical past and its numerous manufacturing configurations. As we speak, we’re heading to the vary with this attention-grabbing rimfire revolver to see how its foot-long barrel and convertible cylinder system carry out in the actual world. Let’s dive proper in!
Latest Protection in Curious Relics
Welcome to our recurring sequence of “Curious Relics.” Right here, we wish to share all of our experiences, data, misadventures, and keenness for older firearms that one may categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that’s no less than 50 years previous in response to the ATF. Hopefully alongside the best way you’ll be able to garner a higher appreciation for older firearms like we do, and concurrently you’ll be able to educate us issues as nicely by sharing your personal experience and ideas within the Feedback. Understanding the firearms of previous, their significance, and their improvement which result in lots of the arms we now cherish at present is extremely fascinating and we hope you get pleasure from what we’ve to share, too!
Vary Time: H&R Mannequin 676
The H&R Mannequin 676 with its 12-inch barrel guarantees to be fairly the tack driver – no less than on paper. With almost a foot of sight radius, you’d count on this rimfire revolver to rival some small-bore rifles for accuracy. Nonetheless, as I found throughout testing, concept and apply don’t all the time align completely.
Taking pictures offhand, the revolver’s appreciable size makes itself recognized instantly. Regardless of weighing in at round three kilos, the prolonged barrel creates a definite problem for unsupported capturing. Whereas the burden helps dampen recoil (not that there’s a lot with .22 rimfire anyway), it additionally makes holding regular a check of endurance. For these of us blessed with less-than-steady palms and a touch of impatience, offhand capturing turns into an train in humility.
The actual potential of this long-barreled magnificence emerges when correctly supported. From a bench relaxation, the Mannequin 676 transforms from an unwieldy handful into one thing approaching a precision instrument. My testing concerned each .22 LR and .22 WMR ammunition, shot in each double and single motion, at 15 and 25 yards. Federal 40-grain lead rounds (1200 fps) represented the .22 LR aspect, whereas CCI TNT Inexperienced (30-grain at 2050 fps) dealt with magnum duties.
Maybe probably the most attention-grabbing discovery got here from the numerous point-of-impact shift between the 2 cartridges. The .22 Magnum persistently printed about 1.5 inches decrease than the .22 LR at 15 yards when capturing offhand. This sample turned much more pronounced at 25 yards from the bench, the place the .22 LR truly shot excessive whereas the Magnum continued its downward development. The dramatic velocity distinction between the 2 masses (850 fps) seemingly explains this phenomenon, because it impacts each bullet trajectory and the timing of the bullet’s exit from the barrel.
The revolver’s sighting system proved to be each a blessing and a curse throughout testing. These chunky, square-profile sights that appeared so sturdy and sensible in concept turned considerably problematic at longer ranges. The blocky entrance sight tends to obscure extra of the goal than best, significantly at 25 yards. Whether or not as a consequence of ageing eyes or real sight design points, reaching exact sight alignment turned more and more difficult as distances grew. This attribute appeared to have an effect on precision capturing extra considerably than informal plinking.
Last Ideas: H&R Mannequin 676
The H&R Mannequin 676, significantly in its 12-inch barrel configuration, stands as an interesting piece of American firearms historical past. Whereas the H&R identify might not carry the identical weight it did within the Seventies and Nineties once they have been recognized for inexpensive, dependable firearms, these revolvers stay an intriguing choice for collectors and shooters alike. For anybody serious about distinctive rimfire handguns, the Mannequin 676 presents an inexpensive entry level into the world of classic revolvers. Whether or not you’re drawn to its distinctive lengthy barrel, its convertible cylinder system, or just its place in firearms historical past, these revolvers present each historic curiosity and sensible capturing enjoyment. Simply keep in mind – in the event you’re planning to take one to the vary, deliver a relaxation and pack each .22 LR and .22 WMR ammunition. The distinction in efficiency between the 2 may shock you as a lot because it did me.
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics section knowledgeable in addition to entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We didn’t simply notice how weapons have been imagined to look and performance. It was an extended and tedious course of that has formed the world we reside in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm on the market that you just really feel doesn’t get a lot notoriety? What ought to our subsequent Curious Relics subject cowl? As all the time, tell us your whole ideas within the Feedback beneath! We all the time admire your suggestions.
