Converting a 32-20 to a 218Bee?

[andym79]

Hi guys, I have a hankering for a 218Bee, they are however expensive and even then might have worn barrels, especially as they were more commonly shooting jackets than larger bore model 92 (or 92 based rifles) like 44-40.

I thought it might be wise to get a 32-20 with a worn out barrel and a good action and have it re barrelled for 218BEE.

A lever set up for 32-20 would need anything other than a re-barrel?

How much would this cost roughly including the price of a new barrel?

Also, I think I would be better of going for a 1:14" twist instead of the 1:16", it lets me stabilise bullets at a slower speed. I would like to shot cast and a 1:16 twist means a minimum speed of 1900fps for a 55 grainer whereas with a 1:14" I could go from 1000fps to the limit of the bullet or the projectile. Likewise for a 44 grainer the 1:16" needs 1600fps whereas the 1:14" needs a mere 700fps (too slow).

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Have you looked about re-lining the barrel down to a .218Bee? May be cheaper and not change the looks/handling of the rifle. That would be my way to go if it were an option. If you do opt to line something I would research it more, since you don't seem to have the rifle yet you may want to see which are easier/cheaper to do the lining to.

These guys have the liners in .218 and the twist you want; http://www.trackofthewolf.com/pdfs/catalog/page_208.pdf

$5 per inch from them. Sorry, not sure about the gunsmith cost to get it put in and the breech figured out.

 

[BBBBill]

I second the recommendation. I would consider and investigate relining first before replacing the barrel.

 

[natman]

The 218 Bee and 32-20 are formed from the same case, so no breech or feeding modifications should be needed.

Redman makes liners for 25-20 and 32-20, so pressure should be OK, but I don't think they make a liner for 218 Bee.

 

[rcmodel]

The 25-20 and 32-20 are much lower pressure then the .218 Bee.

25-20 = 28,000 CUP
32-20 = 16,000 CUP
.218 Bee = 40,000 CUP.

I'd have to ponder quite a while before relining one.

I might suggest saving up for a Browning Model 65.
They are finer then frog hair!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=435200794#PIC

http://www.armslist.com/posts/2369150/seattle-washington-rifles-for-sale--browning-model-65-218-bee

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

Note that the OP is Down Under.
It might be simpler for him to have a New Daisy (Importer F. Lasseter's mark on Winchester 1892 rifles.) rebarrelled.
It's a slow boat to Washington for him.

It won't be cheap.

 

[natman]

The 25-20 and 32-20 are much lower pressure then the .218 Bee.

25-20 = 28,000 CUP
32-20 = 16,000 CUP
.218 Bee = 40,000 CUP.

Good catch. Perhaps that's why Redman doesn't make a liner for them.