Barrel relinning Question

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roninrlm

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I have two old rifles that are family guns. So they are not going to be sold and I do not care if it hurts the collector value.

Both rifles are 32/20 and both are shot out. I can see rifeling but the bullets "tumble" when shot. one is a Mod 92 Winchester and the other is a Mod 1889 Marlin.

I have tried cleaning the bores and that did not help. So,now I am thinking about having the barrels relined. Any suggestions---thoughts-cost--or who might do it and is it worth it?

Ronin
 
Can't help with the relining, but have you tried different bullets? Maybe a couple thou larger diameter?

Replacing the barrels might be a better option unless they're engraved or something.

On second thought, replacement may not be easy. I couldn't find one listed at Numrich for either rifle .
 
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Almost certain that there's nothing wrong with your guns. You're just shooting the wrong ammo!

I'd second the idea of different bullets.

Here's a quote from http://www.reloadammo.com/3220.htm

The OLDER guns were chambered for bullets of .312" for jacketed and .313" for lead. The newer guns have been chambered to work with .308" jacketed bullets. You must determine what the bore of your guns is and choose the correct bullet. If you used the older guns, you could use the smaller diameter bullets with some loss of accuracy.
Click to expand...

Almost certainly you're seeing poor accuracy because your old guns aren't intended to shoot modern .308 ammo.

Try loading these bullets instead: Missouri Bullets' Cowboy #6
 
Many old lever-guns have the last inch or so of the rifling near the muzzle worn into a funnel shape from 100 years of cleaning rod wear.
Anything you shoot in it will tumble.

You have only three options.
1. Cut the barrel & magazine tube off behind the wear & re-crown.

2. Counter-bore the muzzle past the damage.

3. Relining.

Of the three, #2 is cheap and doesn't change the looks of the rifle.

But #3 is far better.

I'd try Redmans for relining.
http://redmansrifling.com/relining_prices.htm

rc
 
Glad to help.
Now help me.

Lose the BOLD LARGE font in your posts please!

It isn't necessary, or desirable, to read your post and try to help you on THR!!

Thanks

rc
 
Thanks for the link to Redman's RC. I may be sending them a .22 that my mom said my grandma used to shoot very well. It was neglected for a while and a mud wasp of some kind set up housekeeping in the barrel and ruined the last few inches of rifling.

Some day one of my grandkids will enjoy shooting it.

(I agree with you about the odd fonts, tapatalk, Android, or Klingon tag lines. Could certainly do without ‘em.)
 
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For low pressure rifles like the .32-20, lining the barrel (not relining - it wasn't lined in the first place) is a very good option and I recommend it. The cost is reasonable and the results usually excellent.

For a number of reasons I won't go into now, installing a simple barrel liner for a high pressure round is not feasible.

Jim
 
(not relining - it wasn't lined in the first place)
Click to expand...
You should probably take that up with Redmans Relining, or any other of the relining shops.

I see your point.
But right or wrong, relining is what they all call it.

rc
 
I'd like to reiterate that the problem is much more likely to be that the OP is using .308 ammunition instead of .312 stuff, than that the rifling is shot out.

At the very least he should load a few of the right bullet and see if that "fixes" his problem before he sends the guns off for irreversible modifications.
 
Nit picking!
All Right!

Do you do Chiggers too?
We got Chiggers to pick this year, and then some!! :D

rc
 
roninrlm,

You haven't indicated what ammo you are using. If you are reloading, what diameter bullets are you loading. If factory, what brand.

This info may help or it may not.
 
Bold Type

Greetings and thanks

First of all for those who do not like my use of "BOLD" type and correct my spelling---- Avoid my post!!

I have spent the last 2 1/2 years trying to get over Cancer. For the first year I could not walk or speak. Also means I can't see so well either.

Ronin
 
I'm glad you're doing better, but that doesn't explain the large, bolt posts. They all look the same when you're typing and the responses you're hoping to read will be normal font anyway...

So what bullet diameter are you using?

Sorry, I couldn't control myself once I started playing with the colors...
 
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Folks, let's drop the bold fonts question. It is getting quite old.

Now, roninrlm, please do let us know what diameter bullets you are using and whether you've slugged the bore to find out what diameter bullets it needs!
 
Slugged Bore

I did slug the bore. I did find a difference in the bore sizes between Winchester and Marlin/Colt.

The Marlin is .310, Colt is .310 and the Winchester is .312. So open to suggestions as to bullet Dia. Probably use a 90gr bullet with 2.4 of Trail Boss. Not looking for a HV load---just a plinker. So any ideas, help or suggestions welcomed.

RoninSIZE]
 
I agree. the soft .313 bullet Sam listed above should work in both the lever guns.

What is the Colt you now mention? Is it .32/20 as well? If it is, keep in mind it's probably not rated for anything listed as hi-speed or anything like that. It's not a strong as either of the rifles.
 
32/20 Colt

After the eyesight the Brain was the next to go!

The Colt is a 32/20---1901---SAA. Perhaps I should start a new Post about the Colt but as it is also a 32/20. All I am looking for is a mild to light load that I possibily shoot in all three 32/20's. I have not shot the Colt as the box of ammo said "Remington Rifle Cartriges"--just did not want to take a chance.

I reload for almost everything else you can think of in a older weapon but never owned a 32/20 untill recently . So when the bullets began to tumble I was a bit lost. Thanks again for ALL the help.

Ronin
 
You told me in a PM in no uncertain terms, not to respond to your posts if I didn't like your bold font.
But I will ignore you, as you ignored me about the bold huge fonts.
And I will try to help you anyway.

A good safe load in all three guns would be 4.5 grains Unique under a 115 cast bullet.

The problem you will likely run into is this though.

Colt, Winchester, and Marlin all had different ideas about what a 32-20 WCF chamber should be shaped like.

And todays reloading die manufactures sided with Winchester.

As such, brass fired in one or the other gun, and sized in a modern sizing die, probably will not fit in the other guns, but especially the Colt.

The only solution is to grind about 1/8" off the bottom of the sizing die so you can put the case shoulder back where it came from, like factory ammo that fits everything.

Not good for case life, but good for interchangeable ammo in three different guns from three different makers who couldn't agree on the chamber design.

rc
 
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up date

Thanks to everyone for their help! I did get all three weapons to work with a combonation of suggestions. The .313 bullet worked just fine in the Rifles. I did also use it in the pistol as I am shooting some low pressure loads in it. Went back and tried the .308 and had the same problems as befor.

Thanks again.

Ronin
 
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