Re-Bore a Mod. 94 to .45 Colt?
I want a .45 Colt Levergun. I had a '94 Trapper, and while it had some shortcomings, I liked it. When Winchester quit making '94's for a while, I relegated it to "safe queen" status, and eventually traded it.
Regretted it ever since.
I thought about my qualifications for my "ideal" .45 Levergun. I came to the conclusion that the following comprises what would suit me. Understand, this will be more or less a plinking, hunting, and truck rifle. No cowboy action shooting. Nobody want's an ugly gun, but it doesn't have to be beautiful either.
-I want to be able to run some pretty heavy weight bullets. Day in day out will be a 270SAA, but having enough action length to size a350 Ranch Dog down to .454 and playing with it would be nice too. I've measured my loaded rounds with Miha's 270 SAA mold, and I'm longer than Henry's recommendation (though it's my understanding you have a bit more room than they indicate).
-A fast enough twist rate to stabilize said Ranch Dog or heavyweight LBT.
-I want a 16.5" barrel. Period.
-The ability to mount a good peep sight.
-A recoil pad. Not so much because it will kick (and it will), but few things annoy me more than not being able to lean a gun up in a corner without fearing it will slide out on the floor.
-I want it "svelt" and light. Marlins feel chunky to me. Henry's feel chunky to me. My Trapper felt good. Rossi '92's feel great (but you can't find one new, and now, they ain't cheap either).
-Regular sized levers feel best to me. I don't wear huge mittens and I'm not getting in a gunfight with Sammy Davis Jr. any time soon (for those of you who get that reference:)).
I wish I'd have bought a Rossi when they were readily available, but their future seems a bit uncertain.
I've looked at a Henry. It was nice, but I thought it a bit chunky and am concerned about OAL issues.
Marlin isn't currently building anything that dings my bell.
Same with Winchester (plus they're pretty steep anymore).
I've come to the conclusion that a re-vamped '94 angle eject, worked over to the specs I want, might not be a bad way to roll. Plenty of Wal Mart models still floating around at semi reasonable prices chambered in .30-30. Why not chop, re-bore (with better than usual .45 Colt chamber dimensions), add a pad, add a set of XS sights, rock on.
Anybody done anything like this? Anybody have any good 'smith suggestions?