I have an 1892 Winchester in .25-20 WCF which I think is a candidate for a liner. There is still rifling visible, although it is eroded after 107 years. Jacketed bullets still make round holes in a target at 100, but a few rounds of cast, preferred bullet, and the barrel is very difficult to clean. Since the rifle has been refinished, which is a very good job, a liner does not hurt the value, and I am shooter not collector. Can a liner be installed so that the muzzle does not show the ring joint of the liner, such as a silver solder filler being used? Does anyone have a recommendation for a gunsmith that does this type of work?
1892 Winchester liner
- Thread starter Deltadart
- Start date
Critical to cast bullet performance is bullet to bore fit. General rule, .001 over groove dia will work. What you don't want is gas leakage. Gas jetting past your bullet will create lead fouling.
If the bore is worn a bit,the nominal .257 (or whatever) bullets may allow some blowby.
It might be a bullet .001 or .002 larger would work.
A friend used to reline a few rifles. (No,he's not an option) He'd drill from the breech end and pay close attention as the drill emerged from the muzzle.
He'd leave a short ring of tight steel at the muzzle .Just a little taper of snug fit on the liner. There was no visible gap when he was done.
I have not soldered one in. I'm not the guy to tell you how. I know for 22 LR liners and BP .32's he used Accra glass.
If the bore is worn a bit,the nominal .257 (or whatever) bullets may allow some blowby.
It might be a bullet .001 or .002 larger would work.
A friend used to reline a few rifles. (No,he's not an option) He'd drill from the breech end and pay close attention as the drill emerged from the muzzle.
He'd leave a short ring of tight steel at the muzzle .Just a little taper of snug fit on the liner. There was no visible gap when he was done.
I have not soldered one in. I'm not the guy to tell you how. I know for 22 LR liners and BP .32's he used Accra glass.
PAdutchman
New member
I have a 1906 manufactured Winchester 1892 that is in 32-20. When I purchased it about 7-8 years ago the bore was pretty bad. Anything I fired through it keyholed with groups about 8-10" at 25 yards. I sent the barrel & action out to Redman's Riflings & Reboring in WA to have a liner installed. When I got it back it shot like a new rifle with around 2-3" groups at 50 yards with iron sights, which is good for me. You can't see any liner ring around the muzzle either. I wouldn't have any hesitation to have another rifle relined by them. Good luck!
Jim Watson
New member
Redman is good, if he catches up enough to take your order.
My '92 started out as a .38-40, poorly rebored to .44-40. I had him reline it to .44 instead of the original .38 because I already had dies, brass, and a .44 Colt for CAS.
I bet John Taylor could do it.
The way to avoid a ring at the muzzle is to ream the barrel and bevel the liner so the seam is buried in the crown cut.
My '92 started out as a .38-40, poorly rebored to .44-40. I had him reline it to .44 instead of the original .38 because I already had dies, brass, and a .44 Colt for CAS.
I bet John Taylor could do it.
The way to avoid a ring at the muzzle is to ream the barrel and bevel the liner so the seam is buried in the crown cut.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Have you thought about having it rebored to .32-20?
Not a bad idea Mike, however I have .25-20 dies,M-Pmolds, brass, by and gas checks for the .25-20. .32-20 supplies are as bad or as difficult to find as the .25. The gas checks have helped with reducing the leading some. However, I think just putting a liner in by a quality shop will be the way to go. That way I will have an excuse to buy a 1892 in .32-20 a little later.
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Mike Irwin
Staff
" .32-20 supplies are as bad as dfficult to find as the .25. "
I'm fortunately set up to load for .32-20. I have two revolvers -- a Smith & a Colt -- in that cartridge.
I never bothered to get set up to load for .25-20 even though I have a Savage 23B. I did load some for it when I was able to use the dies at American Rifleman's offices when I was on staff there.
I've been trying to find a 23C in .32-20 for some years, but I've always been either a day late or a bunch of dollars short.
I'm fortunately set up to load for .32-20. I have two revolvers -- a Smith & a Colt -- in that cartridge.
I never bothered to get set up to load for .25-20 even though I have a Savage 23B. I did load some for it when I was able to use the dies at American Rifleman's offices when I was on staff there.
I've been trying to find a 23C in .32-20 for some years, but I've always been either a day late or a bunch of dollars short.
Mike, I am have some success converting the 7.62 Nagant cartridge brass to .25-20 WCF. Not an easy process, but it does work, sorta. I first have to go to the .32-20 then down to the .25-20. I do hope one day to have a 92 in .32-20. I hope that the US will return to normal one day and make this much easier.
lwestatbus
New member
Any Luck?
Me too, exact model and caliber and similar firing performance. DeltaD, did you have any success in getting yours done? I'd independently found Redman's site but he now has a prominent notice that he isn't taking any new business until he clears his backlog.
This rifle came to me via my father from my grandfather who was the original owner. I remember as a teenager Grandpa saying something about reboring the rifle but I don't remember if he said it had been rebored or needed to be rebored. I'm 69 now so my teenage years were a long time ago.
Deltadart said:
Me too, exact model and caliber and similar firing performance. DeltaD, did you have any success in getting yours done? I'd independently found Redman's site but he now has a prominent notice that he isn't taking any new business until he clears his backlog.
This rifle came to me via my father from my grandfather who was the original owner. I remember as a teenager Grandpa saying something about reboring the rifle but I don't remember if he said it had been rebored or needed to be rebored. I'm 69 now so my teenage years were a long time ago.
51cskipper
New member
For a rebore, check with Oregunsmithing
http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/Reboring-Relining-MuzzleBrake.html
http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/Reboring-Relining-MuzzleBrake.html