new life for an 1894

[part_timer]

Well I could not take it any more and sent my 357 to Mr. Taylor to have it sleeved for 256 win mag. My 62 that the wife stole makes a greaat small game gun, I don't see why this one would be any different.
Has anyone else done a conversion like this?

[Tom-ADC]

Not that way but have always wanted to do my 1894 from 44 mag to 45 LC but since I shot a club members 32-20 I'm leaning that way plus I need a 38-55.
That 256 should be a ball to shoot.

[BrettT/C]

That sounds so cool. Who is the gunsmith for your project?

Brett

[mnzrxer]

Ah man, now I gotta go find a cheap 94 to rescue... or maybe a 92 clone. Hmmm

I have been interested in the 256 Win Mag, but it didn't find much favor in the revolvers. I never thought of chambering a lever gun for it. Sounds sweet.

[45-70 Chevroner]

I had a TC 10" octogon barrel way back in the 70's. I did'n care for it much, maybe I did'n play around with it enough. The conversion idea sounds like a worthy cause though. Cash is the key word though. Most 94's and 92 clones are running about 3 to 4 hundred probably more, plus another 2 hundred to have the conversion done. Of coures if you already have the rifle there is not much to think about except to decide weather to down grade a 94 in value. 92 clones? not a problem. I would not do it to any of my 94's. That is not to say you should not do it if that is what you want, and it does not mean you are wrong to do it. Pre 64 94's are already worth a tidy sum and it won't be long before post 94's will be worth a tidy sum I'm talking in the 1000 dollar range.

[Newtire]

Ah man, now I gotta go find a cheap 94 to rescue... or maybe a 92 clone. Hmmm

I have been interested in the 256 Win Mag, but it didn't find much favor in the revolvers. I never thought of chambering a lever gun for it. Sounds sweet.

Just a guess that the rifle in question is a Marlin since it's .357. That would make a nice convert I would bet.

That's a real screamer of a cartridge and shoots fine in the M62 Marlin I have with up to 85 gr. boolits too. You can load it light and be about the same as a .25-20.

I keep reminding myself that I don't "need" a .25-20 since I have this thing but it's not working.

Let us know how that project works out with the feeding and all.?

[part_timer]

Brett T/C John Taylor from this forum is the smith I chose. I have heard good things about him on here.

45-70 I have a 10" tc barrel in 256 and it shoots well enough to make yard salad at 50 yards or so. My rifle is a Marlin and I'm not to worried about a down grade in value. It is a new one that I purchased last year with this project in mind.

Newtire, I like the wifes 62 however it's not to fond of the 85's but the 65's shoot well. It's just picky about the powder. Unique is about the only thing I can get to group worth a hoot.

I figure it will be awhile but well worth the weight.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
I have had work done by John Taylor and would happily use his service again.

[Newtire]

Greetings
I have had work done by John Taylor and would happily use his service again.

Good to hear as I have a Colt Lightning .32-20 waiting for a bore transplant at his place.

And... for Parttimer...
As for my load with the 85 grainer, it was actually an RCBS with a gas check added like in our very own Beagle's article in the Castpics section of our site here. I got 1/2" groups @ 50 yds. If you have a .244 sizer and no 6.5mm checks, I'll send you some. You gotta try it!

Here's the load:
85 gr. RCBS w/gas check added=88 grains wt.
10 gr. SR4759
Magtech SRP
1687-1732 fps

1/2” @ 50 yds.

[part_timer]

Newtire,

That is a great article, I don't have any of the stuff I need to try but it will be on my list in the next couple of weeks. I read some other great articles in there as well. Now I want a 25-35 also. Man this place is hard on the want and need list. Thanks for the reading material and thanks to Beagle as well.

[45-70 Chevroner]

Like I said sounds like a worthy cause. And being a Marlin it will handle the extra pressure quite well. Good luck with your endevor.

[part_timer]

IT"S ON THE WAY!!!!!!!!!

Just received a PM that my rifle is on the way back. I guess it's time to get back out to the shop and start loading again and just in time to shoot some tree rats and bunnies here pretty soon.

It's amazing how something so simple can make a crappy day a bit better.

[part_timer]

My rifle showed up today and what a beautiful job Mr. Taylor has done. You can't even see the ring where the liner stops and the bbl begins.

We didn't have the camera today but it shoots great. We were able to shoot groups .750 at 50 yards. 5.5gr of unique with 70gr acww 257420's sized at .258 cci SR primers. The liner is a 1-14. I think with a bit less wind and a little more fidgeting, groups of less than a 1/2" should be fairly easy.

My son sat up 5 1/4 inches of pine boards and the boolet went right threw it. I sat up a 4" thick sycamore and it went right threw it as well. We made up another 100 rounds to play with later this week at 100 yards to see where it all falls out at.

I would recomend Mr. Taylors work to anyone needing a liner installed in a rifle.

[ReloaderFred]

If you don't mind, what was the charge for this work?

Fred

[part_timer]

Look for John Taylor on this forum and PM him for prices. He had to rent a reamer for mine so prices may very.

[part_timer]

I finally had a chance to try some groups with the project rifle and I'm not disapointed. The groups were shot at 50 yards sitting with my elbow resting on my knee. Not the best of rests but enough to get the job done. The groups are circled and I'm in the process of moving the scope to get the groups where I want them.

I decided to see how many milk jugs the boolit would make it threw so I took a drill bit and put a hollow point in and took a test shot. The boolit was recovered from the 4th jug.

The boolit starts as 74 gr. then 73gr after hollow pointing. The final weight after recovery is right at 65gr. using AC 50/50 wheel weights and roof flashing.

So far so good. I am going to start increasing the powder charge and see what happens. So far leading isn't a problem but we will see what happens as the velocity increases.

[Ziptar]

Not that way but have always wanted to do my 1894 from 44 mag to 45 LC.

I did it, couldn't happier.