Making an oldie into a good shooter

[proud American]

I've got a single shot rifle coming that's chambered in an obsolete caliber, .25RF. It was built in 1890 and the bore is toast from the black powder in those days. I'm planning to have the bore lined in .38 Special to make it a shooter. Anybody think this is a good idea~?
It finally was delivered and was totally wrong about the bore. Other than being a little dark, a bit of cleaning showed it has real decent lands and grooves.

 

[danny]

I've got a single shot rifle coming that's chambered in an obsolete caliber, .25RF. It was built in 1890 and the bore is toast from the black powder in those days. I'm planning to have the bore lined in .38 Special to make it a shooter. Anybody think this is a good idea~?

If the firearm can handle the round safely, it's economical enough, or you can afford to do it, if not, I can't really see anything wrong with the idea, but you have not presented us with any specifics.

Danny

 

[dellet]

Without knowing the make and model of the rifle, only a fool would say this is a good idea. Even then, without knowing the condition it’s only half as foolish.

 

[chuckshooter]

I relined an 1890 22rf pump gallery gun, so my grandson could have something to shoot. If the firing pin is already set-up for a rim fire, might be an easier option.

 

[bobcat93]

Before it goes under the knife, have you consider purchasing a box of rimfire ammo and shooting it..its not cheap. But a box will tell you what you want to know.
Just because its ugly doesn't mean it cant sling those old lead bullets..
Ive had a few old clunkers over the years and you would be surprised what some soft lead bullets will smooooth that raspy old barrel out and they still shoot.
If it still shoots perhaps you could make it a 25-20 chamber centerfire. It wouldnt take much to wittle out a chamber with drill bits and a reamer.

I would play first then rebarrle,
There is a video of Lerry Potterfield or what ever his name is from midway usa. You can find very easy with a quick search.
He shows how to convert an old rimfire, to centfire. But it can also be done by hand.
Some rifles even have a switch on the hammer like a Thompson center that allows you to switch from rim fire to center fire.
Perhaps you could fit one to your rifle.
Haha..it all depends how much love you find with in the project.
But you have lots of possibilities..
Im just thinking out loud so to speak, on a few ideas that came to mind..some oil to get your gears turning..hahaha

 

[proud American]

Without knowing the make and model of the rifle, only a fool would say this is a good idea. Even then, without knowing the condition it’s only half as foolish.

The rifle is an 1885 Winchester Low Wall that was made in 1890. The wood, receiver, and barrel are all in very good shape and too nice to simply use as a wall-hanger. The single problem is that it came out of the factory in .25RF caliber which is totally obsolete. A real shame because the barrel has an amazing amount of fairly sharp lands and grooves if was to be used, BUT .25RF ammo when you find it runs about $3 per round~!!!
I'm looking for a really nice shooter in a caliber for which I can find plenty of reloading components.
I found a gentleman who has been converting 1885 Winchesters for many many years. He likes the .38 Special idea and also suggested I consider the .32-20. The .32-20 is a caliber that Winchester offered during the period the rifle was built in, and he says that the .32-20 is quite accurate. I now have a huge decision to make. Brass for the .32-20 is a bit difficult to find, but I just happen to have several hundred rounds bought over the years for another rifle.
I'm not trying to build something that would attract a collector so the caliber choice would be a toss-up for me. I'm leaning towards the .38 Special because of the bigger thump of the 158 gr semi-wad cutter bullet over the .32s 110 gr slug.

 

[proud American]

I relined an 1890 22rf pump gallery gun, so my grandson could have something to shoot. If the firing pin is already set-up for a rim fire, might be an easier option.

What you say is true, but I already have my share of .22 rifles including the recently made 1885 Winchester made for WRA by Miroku in Japan. With this one I'd like something with a bit more 'thump'. Hence the .38 Special, with the .32 H&R is another possibility.

 

[jelenko]

This would be a 'cost is no object' project?

It would seem that the action would have to be rebuilt to handle feeding, chambering and firing.
Would it also need to be reconfigured to handle a different fire control system?

 

[proud American]

This would be a 'cost is no object' project?

It would seem that the action would have to be rebuilt to handle feeding, chambering and firing.
Would it also need to be reconfigured to handle a different fire control system?

Not really. Barrel lining. firing pin alteration, extractor modification cost me about $600 last time I did one. Possibly a couple of hundred $s more this time. This one is in super mechanical condition and the cosmetics are better than the first. No plans for refinishing the metal and I do great work on stocks,
I'm really excited about this one.

 

[dellet]

It's an 1885 Winchester Low Wall that was made in 1890

An early low wall like that should be fine to convert, as long as there is enough barrel. Many/most of the rimfire rifles were shipped with a #1 weight, #2 were special order. If it’s a #1 with a .750” muzzle, there may not be enough barrel for a liner, but a rebore may be possible. There were two barrel tenon sizes, large and small. Small is .835”. Again might be an issue for installing a liner.

The 32 might be a better option as a liner.

The breech block in that era is a High wall block that has been modified to match the contours of the low wall frame. No reason you can’t buy a brand new block. Plenty of originals out there also. You need a flat spring type.

Side note is that 1890 was the first year the 25 rf was available. In theory a bit more collectible if the condition was there. There are a couple things you can do with that cartridge before cutting up an original. At 38 special could have been an original chambering, about 10 years later.

17 WSM can be necked up to 25 and loaded. It’s easier to cut it off at the should’ve and use the shortened case.

22 Hornet brass can be swaged down or turned at the base to .280” and used as 25 center fire, or chambered to 25 Hornet. You will be limited to bullets around the 70-75 grain weight because of the twist.

Lots of options with that rifle.

 

[proud American]

This would be a 'cost is no object' project?

It would seem that the action would have to be rebuilt to handle feeding, chambering and firing.
Would it also need to be reconfigured to handle a different fire control system?

I would but I'm building a budget in my mind and the smith hasn't given me an estimate yet, and that's because I haven't given him all the parameter of the build yet.
It will need a barrel liner, installation, breech block modification, firing pin, and extractor.

 

[snert]

Dellet is offering great info. He knows his stufff.

 

[brokeasajoke]

This is a cool idea. A low wall is on my want to haves list.

 

[proud American]

This is a cool idea. A low wall is on my want to haves list.

Once you get one it will be a new love affair. I'm obsessed the lo-wall 1885 Winchester.

 

[ISS]

take some of your stash of 32-20 and neck it down to create the 25-20. Get a centerfire breech block from MVA and stick a liner in it and have a brand new barrel in the 25 or 32-20.