H&R Topper Model 88 20 Ga 3'Full Need cleaning info and ammo info plz.

[Necroscope84]

Hello, I am new to owning a gun and recently purchased a Harrington and Richardson Topper Model 88 20 Ga 3" Full Shotgun on the suggestion of a local pawnshop owner, I needed something for snakes because I've had to kill around 25 to 30 copperheads in my yard each summer and was tired of trying to do it with some extendable limb choppers :banghead: Lol. Anyway the gun works great but I don't know how to properly clean it. I'm going to buy a cleaning kit tomorrow for it and really didn't give much thought to it until last night when a shell wouldn't eject.

I also noticed some grime and little pieces of gunk down the barrel that I don't like being there and there's quite a bit of white powder (gun powder?) behind the trigger. I've never cleaned the gun and have owned it for maybe two years and fired close to fifty shots so I figure I need to get serious and learn how to take care of it properly.

Also I am using some 20 Guage 2 and 3/4 inches, 1 oz. 7 and 1/2 shot from Estate that says Heavy Game Load, it also says 2 -1/2 Dram EQ. Muz Vel 1165 fps HG20 7.5 if that means anything. I had some different shells that the pawnshop owner sold me but they just weren't killing the snakes well enough, I'd have to shoot them two or three times but it could be that I was too close to them? 5 feet or so? Should I be further back? Is this the proper ammo? What ammo ranges should I use, I don't want to buy the wrong type or anything. Mainly I just need some good ammo and snake shooting tips. I love this ammo I have but I tend to send snakes flying into the air, hehehehe. What would you'll suggest?

Any and all info would be very much appreciated. I know very little about guns and other than my revolver for "safety" purposes I don't regularly shoot guns except during snake season and I want to know more about my shotgun so I can take care of it better.

Thanks in advance everyone. Sorry for the long post I just wanted to make sure I gave everyone all the info they would need to help me with. Thanks again.

 

[toledo]

H&Rs are one of the best bangs for the buck in the gun world. I would trust my life to one. I even keep one in my truck for whatever may come along. Im kind of suprised to hear a round stuck even with it dirty.

To clean it just run a tight rage lightly soaked in oil down the bore. You may need to use a bursh for the chamber. Clean the outside metal with a lightly oiled rag to prevent rust. Any old towel, tshirt, under-roos will work. Remove the screw from the forearm and then barrel from action and wipe down all metal parts. I cant imagine what the white pwder by the trigger could be.

Best snake loads I have found are the cheapest walmart dove/ target loads in 7.5 or 8 that you can get. Not expensive, least recoil, and plenty of power for a snake. Got some bayous back home where you can shot a snake for every shell you want to bring during the spring.

 

[janobles14]

this might sound silly but just check out youtube. there are tons of videos and probably one for your specific shotgun. hang on....lemme see if i can find one.

here this should do you just fine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPHDDbjKQq8&feature=related


as for the snake ammo...anything with a high shot count will do fine. #6 thru #9 will do just what you need from any distance under 25 yds. (really more but we want lots of pellets in the head and all). they dont even have to be high brass magnums. just the cheap stuff will drop a no-shoulders without an issue.

 

[Necroscope84]

Hiya, thanks everyone for all the great info and for the link. I love this little shotgun and am so glad we decided to buy it instead of a more expensive gun. I like the fact that it's a single shot, I just feel it's much safer and easier to use. I don't know crap about ammo but I'm learning. I don't remember what the first shot I was using was but I know that around five feet and under I would have to shoot the snakes several times but maybe I should be further back to let the pellets spread out more, I'm gonna do some target practice on some rubber snakes I think to get a good feel for different types of ammo and the best ranges to fire at.

Thanks for the cleaning tips, I'm omw to get a kit right now to clean it with. Take care everyone.