Just my opinion, $400 for any H&R break open single shot with a $40 3x9 blister pack scope is $200 too high.
That seems to be a prevailing attitude in many places around the country; I've run into that locally. But when you dig into it, the comments (in my experience) come from people that pride themselves in their ability to "horse trade" (mostly old timers) that are used to a market that disappeared years ago before H&R ceased production. I've owned several and they have their place;
some people who probably couldn't wring the real accuracy out of high dollar rifle love to knock them as inaccurate. Like a lot of guns the barrels tend to favor a particular bullet/load combination and admittedly they cannot be accused of having really good triggers. Generic ammo in common commercial offerings may or may not agree with a particular individual barrel.
Ergonomically they have a lot in common with the stocks on old shotguns the old timers referred to a 'polk' or 'poke' stock (depending on how far back in the woods they grew up
). Ergo, the larger calibers tend to thump the shooter more; but I've shot the 45/70, .35 Whelen, and many others all the way down to the .22 hornet. A good recoil pad on the bigger thumpers plus proper form (good balance, snug shoulder tuck, good cheek weld , etc) makes them manageable (if not 'comfortable'). But then, I had a model 70 in 458 mag that I felt kicked no worse than many 12 gauge shotguns I've used. Recoil is subjective . . . as far as accuracy . . . as usual, if I do my part the gun usually shoots as well or better than I can.
I personally like them and have had good experience with the guns. Caj says the one he was offered has a scratched up stock - most of them that came with factory wood have what is referred to as "pallet wood", usually birch, so sanding, steaming, and refinishing the wood certainly won't hurt the value.
A 'bargain price' on any of them in excellent condition these days is below $300 in my experience, as just most spare barrels in good condition in a desirable caliber go for that much and more. As for that $200 price . . . I'm a customer for most any of them at that price and could make money on them. $400 for the 45/70 isn't a steal, but if I wanted one that price wouldn't deter me though with the beat up wood described I would try to dicker the price down as much as possible. A 45/70 for $200 IMHO would be a steal in a lot of places, even with scratched up furniture. It's like the oft heard chestnut at gun shows . . .
"Why, I can buy those all day long for $150-$200 anytime !" Funny thing is, I've never had anyone provide such or even information for one for sale at that price when I tried to pin them down on it . . .
But then again I have a Thompson Contender with a 14" barrel in 45/70 and shoot it with factory 300 grain JHP's and love it. Of course, it's as much a flamethrower as a handgun . . .
