1886 in 40/82 help

B

BeMan

Inactive
I have a Win 1886 in 40/82. Bore is terrible with lots of pits and rough overall. Rifling is still there, but accuracy isn't there with either hard cast or jacketed loads. Considering rebarreling to 45/70, but wanted to seek advise first. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

Tony
 
That will work. Friend of mine had a .40-82 rebored but a rebarrel would leave you able to get back to the original configuration if a collector more interested in "features" than bore condition wanted to take it away from you.

It won't be cheap. A Badger in '86 profile, chambered and threaded, but needing fit and blue, is $450.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,980.html

A rebore would cost about $300 from:
http://www.cutrifle.com/reboring.html
http://www.deltagunshop.com/

Caveat, I have not done business with either, just heard their names mentioned. There are others, I think John Taylor does
http://www.johntaylormachine.com/
 
Before you do anything drastic try soft cast bullets. My original 45-70 shot ok with jacketed but it really shined with soft cast bullets and bp.
 
Another option would be to have the original barrel relined to the original .40/82 caliber, that way the barrel's caliber markings would still be correct.
A friend of mine has an '86 in .40/82 & it is a fine shooter, won many competitions with it.
 
If you rebarrel you will loose the antique value of the rifle as it is not in original configuration, however if you have the bore lined in the .40-82 caliber your rifle is intact and worth more as a shooter and a collector's item. I have seen barrels that have been lined that look as if they were new. If done properly it is almost impossible to see the repair.
 
1886 help

Thanks much for the suggestions. I tried the soft lead loads (288 gr solid base), but the spread was still 14 inches at 50 yds and about half of them impacted sideways. 260 gr jacketed was high and to left of bull with a 4.5 inch spread at 50 yds. All this after having a new crown on the muzzle. I suppose I will ask local smith to counterbore and try a hollow base soft lead bullet to see if it has better contact with what is left of the rifling. Also may try a different powder charge with the jacketed bullets.

Any sources for relining the barrel? However, if I go to the expense of relining, I will change to 45/70 or 45/90.

Thanks
 
40-82

I talked with John Taylor and he was very informative and gave me a reasonable price to do the work. Due to the availibility and expense of ammo, I am going with the 45/70 rebore option. I already have a 1884 Trapdoor, so it seemed to make good sense to stay with the 45/70. Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my post. It was valuable help.

Tony
 
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