Winchester 1886 in 40-82

[Simon4082]

Hi from the UK,

I have an original 1886 in obsolete caliber 40-82. I bought it with a view to shoot unfortunately it’s all over the place.

I think the the distance to the lands is the problem as it’s about an extra 2 inches on top of the OAL, seems to me the bullet would be rattling around before it reaches the rifling.

Is there anything that can be done or is it destined to be a wall hanger?

Cheers for any help.

 

[1911nut]

Have you considered getting the barrel relined?

Winchester .40-82 Barrel Liner?

I bought an original Winchester 1886 in .40-82 with the plan to shoot it in long range matches at Bordertown. Unfortunately, there is only a hint of rifling left so the bullets tumble and my "group" is 24" x 24" at 50 yards. I initially though it might be enough rifling to work and have experimen...

forums.sassnet.com

.40-82 Barrel Liner with 1 in 28 Twist?

I am still trying to figure out what to do with my unshootable Winchester 1886 in .40-82. While it isn't in great shape, I would like to keep it as original as possible. I think relining the barrel would be good, but I can't find a manufacturer that produces a .406 liner in 1 in 28" twist. I...

www.coltforum.com

 

[Simon4082]

Have you considered getting the barrel relined?

Winchester .40-82 Barrel Liner?

I bought an original Winchester 1886 in .40-82 with the plan to shoot it in long range matches at Bordertown. Unfortunately, there is only a hint of rifling left so the bullets tumble and my "group" is 24" x 24" at 50 yards. I initially though it might be enough rifling to work and have experimen...

forums.sassnet.com

.40-82 Barrel Liner with 1 in 28 Twist?

I am still trying to figure out what to do with my unshootable Winchester 1886 in .40-82. While it isn't in great shape, I would like to keep it as original as possible. I think relining the barrel would be good, but I can't find a manufacturer that produces a .406 liner in 1 in 28" twist. I...

www.coltforum.com

Hi, yes I had looked into it but the US will not export to the UK, and as there’s probably no more than 3 or 4 owners of the 40-82 in UK that getting a liner here would be impossible.

 

[Bill K]

Unless you want to keep it original for what ever value it might bring. There are outfits that can reline the barrel to various calibers and that would allow you to have fun shooting it. Google some, hopefully in your UK and see what you and they thing

 

[Simon4082]

Unless you want to keep it original for what ever value it might bring. There are outfits that can reline the barrel to various calibers and that would allow you to have fun shooting it. Google some, hopefully in your UK and see what you and they thing

Hi Bill, yea I didn’t really want to change the caliber, I just forked out on a die set and mould plus the brass cost £4 each here, does it sound to you then other than say bore it out to 45-70 that there is no other option?

 

[ebb]

Having someone in the UK make a new barrel to the original taper and specs install it in the rifle? Asking this same question at Cast Boolits may get you the name of some of the smiths that do this sort of thing every day who may have a better solution. In the USA if it is built before 1898 it is a relic not a firearm according to the ATF and may be able to be shipped. Ask a lot more questions before you make a decision.

 

[Charliemac]

Maybe slug the barrel and shoot cast bullets?

 

[Hal]

Take a chamber casting or look at the bore with a bore scope to see what you are dealing with,before you make any decisions.

Someone in the U.K. must reline or make a replacement barrel.

A guy in the US makes replacement rifle barrels for Winchester's with the Winchester roll mark stamp. Not that it helps you. His name is Hunter restoration ?

Hal

 

[Bill K]

Simon. Someone in the UK should be able to help you. Did you buy it at a local gun shop ? Can they give you some info ? I know a party that posts here and I have delt with him on occasion, is Ken ( Kenpro, I think he lives in Lankenshire) check member list and maybe contact him, he might be able to give you some info.

 

[Simon4082]

Thanks for the advice, I’m of the conclusion it’s definitely not a shooter as there’s a 3” space between bullet and rifling. I have spoken to several Uk Gunsmiths who deal in originals and no one thinks it likely that could do lining work. I have emailed TJ’s to see if they will sell and export to UK, as yet no reply.
Bill, I cannot find Ken (Ken pro)

 

[Bill K]

Give me a pm with your email or contact info and I will pass word too him. He also posts and recently did on 204 Ruger.com That is if you want to.

 

[FNSafari]

Did you borescope the barrel to determine that there is 3" of eroded rifling ahead of the chamber? Boy, that sounds like a lot!

If not, find someone with a decent borescope and look at it. You should try a soft cast bullet, 30/1 lead to tin, and in the vicinity of .410" sized diameter.

 

[Will Henry]

So, is the issue that no British or European maker makes a 40 cal barrel? WH

 

[Simon4082]

Did you borescope the barrel to determine that there is 3" of eroded rifling ahead of the chamber? Boy, that sounds like a lot!

If not, find someone with a decent borescope and look at it. You should try a soft cast bullet, 30/1 lead to tin, and in the vicinity of .410" sized diameter.

No I haven’t borescoped but I can fit 4 bullets in before the cartridge wouldn’t that tell you it’s knackered At least worn beyond recovery?

 

[Simon4082]

So, is the issue that no British or European maker makes a 40 cal barrel? WH

Not that I can find and all I’d want is a liner so I can preserve the almost originality .

 

[FNSafari]

No I haven’t borescoped but I can fit 4 bullets in before the cartridge wouldn’t that tell you it’s knackered At least worn beyond recovery?

If UR fitting .408" bullets then it is an indication of something possibly wrong. A borescope session is in order. Old Chinese (pre commies) saying...a picture(view) is worth a thousand words.

 

[Simon4082]

If UR fitting .408" bullets then it is an indication of something possibly wrong. A borescope session is in order. Old Chinese (pre commies) saying...a picture(view) is worth a thousand words.

I think all a borescope will reveal is a badly worn bore. After speaking to several UK gunsmiths the opinion is there’s nothing can be done here. There’s not enough expertise in old Winchester lining or barrelling. Seems sadly my choices are limited to a wall hanger or selling. As I’m not one to display on the wall I think I’ll have to try selling.

 

[akajun]

Simply rebarrel and shoot it and keep the old barrel
Maybe one day it can be fixed , or just passed along with the gun when it’s sold

 

[Simon4082]

Simply rebarrel and shoot it and keep the old barrel
Maybe one day it can be fixed , or just passed along with the gun when it’s sold

I have emailed Winchester barrels to get a price to see if it’s worth while, I expect it’s not gonna be cheap?

 

[akajun]

Winchester will not service a gun that old or still stock parts
Check with buffalo arms, or Doug turnbull restoration
Turnbull is probably the best old lever gun restorer in the world . Something tells me he has taken in and returned firearms from England before. At the very least he could re line your barrel or make a new one and knows the shipping/ import laws