Converting 1885 32RF to center fire

[AntiqueSledMan]

Not sure where I found this, Enjoy.

The lists below show all of the various cartridges that were factory chambered, but not necessarily a standard caliber. The below lists are also subject to frequent minor change as I continue to complete additional research, but they are relatively close. For some of the calibers (most specifically the 22 Short and Long R.), the actual production numbers are a lot higher when all of the guns in the 110,000 - 140,000 serial number range are included {1910 – 1919}.

Model 1885 Rimfire cartridges (with number made before serial number 110,000):{1885 - 1910}

22 BBC (Cap) (4)
22 CAL. R.F. XL (323)
22 LONG (8,885)
22 LONG R. (4,165)
22 SHORT (16,042)
22 W.R.F. (1,584)
22 Win Auto (2)
25 R.F. (Stevens) (422)
30 LONG (4)
32 Extra Long (9)
32 LONG (3,254)
32 SHORT (3,878)
38 Extra Long (8)
38 LONG (27)
38 SHORT (26)
44 Henry (4)
44 LONG (1)

Model 1885 Centerfire cartridges (with number made before serial number 110,000):{1885 - 1910}

22 Stevens {22-15-60} (195)
22 W.C.F. (8,875)
236 USN {6mm Lee Navy} (25)
25-20 S.S. {Single Shot} (7460)
25 W.C.F. or 25-20 W.C.F. (250 est.)
25-21 {Stevens} (4)
25-25 {Stevens} (10)
25-35 W.C.F. (63)
30 U.S. or 30 ARMY (1,000 est.)
30 W.C.F. (105)
30 GOVT. 1906. (40 est.)
303 BRITISH (22)
32 SHORT {Colt} (1)
32 LONG {Colt} (152)
32 Ballard Extra Long (46)
32 W.C.F. (12,896)
32 IDEAL (233)
32-40 (11,281)
32-40 ES (6)
32 W.S. {Win. Special} (20 est.)
33 W.C.F. (7 est.)
35 S.L. (2)
35 W.C.F. (15 est.)
38 LONG {Colt} (31)
38 BALLARD EX {Extra Long} (5)
38 W.C.F. (2,889)
38-55 (7,603)
38-56 W.C.F. (610)
38-70 {Winchester} (5)
38-72 W.C.F. (5)
38 EX. {38-90 Winchester Exp.} (379)
401 S.L. (3)
40-50 SHARPS STR. or 40-50 S.S. (38)
40-50 S.N. {Sharps Necked} (4)
40-60 W.C.F. (1,464)
40-60 MAR. {Marlin} (6)
40-65 W.C.F. (518)
40-70 BALLARD or 40-70 BAL. (339)
40-70 SHARPS STR. or 40-70 S.S. (804)
40-70 S.N. {Sharps Necked} (4)
40-70 W.C.F. (145)
40-82 W.C.F. (1,733)
40-90 BALLARD or 40-90 BAL. (104)
40-90 SHARPS STR. or 40-90 S.S. (934)
40-90 S.N. {Sharps Necked} {2 5/8”} (2)
40 EX. {40-110 Winchester Exp.} (194)
405 W.C.F. (34)
43 Spanish (7)
44 Comblain (2)
44-60 Winchester (2)
44 W.C.F. (3,512)
45-60 W.C.F. (191)
45-70 GOV’T. (2,966)
45-70 SHARPS STR. (470)
45-75 W.C.F. (91)
45-90 W.C.F. (927)
45 EX. (45-125 Win Exp.) (686)
45 ELEY or 45 ELEY EX. (396)
45 SHARPS 2 4/10” (9)
45 SHARPS 2 6/10” (17)
45 SHARPS 2 3/4” (4)
45 SHARPS 2 7/8” (42)
45 SHARPS 3 1/4” (26)
50 ELEY or 50 ELEY EX. (527)
50-90 SHARPS (3)
50-95 W.C.F. (292)
50-110 EX. (70 est.)
577 ELEY (9)
7x57mm Mauser (3 experimental)
20 GA. (550 est.)
28 GA. (1)

The High-Wall could be chambered for all available cartridges. The Low-Wall however, was quite limited as to which Centerfire cartridges it was available in (all Rimfire cartridges could be ordered in the Low-Wall). Centerfire was limited to the following;
22 Stevens {22-15-60}
22 W.C.F.
25-20 S.S. {Single Shot}
25 W.C.F. or 25-20 W.C.F.
25-21 {Stevens}
25-25 {Stevens}
32 SHORT {Colt}
32 LONG {Colt}
32 W.C.F. or 32-20 W.C.F.
32 IDEAL
38 LONG
38 W.C.F. or 38-40 W.C.F.
44 W.C.F. or 44-40 W.C.F.

AntiqueSledMan.

[uscra112]

Oldred wrote what I would have if he hadn't.

[Eddie Southgate]

I'd listen to what John Taylor said . I'd do one in .38 special if it would rebore to that otherwise I would do a .32 S&W Long .

[uscra112]

BTW changing from rimfire to centerfire can be just a matter of making a new link to reposition the breechblock as the action is closed. However, I'd do it by converting it to a Mann-Niedner firing pin, which gains you the more desirable small firing pin tip in the bargain.

My choice of cartridge would always be the .32-20.

[Chill Wills]

Thanks sled man! I have seen that list somewhere myself. Maybe it is within the Winchester Collector assoc. membership info. I let my membership drop and maybe need to join again.

That answers a question for me.
BTW- I agree, the 32WCF is never a bad choice!
I want to use an old beat-up low-wall action I have to build a 25-20 WCF and was not sure it was among the Okay list. The 25-20WCF started out as BP round but now there is info on fast smokeless loads. Future owners were my concern.

[b money]

Thanks everyone I’m calling today to see what the guy might do on a price for the old girl. We will see.

[Kev18]

Here, Larry Potterfield did it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUnxFN0uvCs

[AntiqueSledMan]

Great video.
I have a Uberti Low Wall chambered in 30-30, wish it was 32-40.
I also have an original High Wall chambered in 32-20 WCF, fun little rifle.
I don't think you'd have to change the bore with 32-20.
Of course back in the day,
Stevens Arms would have bored it to 8mm & chambered it in 32 Ideal.
Would be a neat caliber but a little tough to get brass for.
Starline is producing 32-20, as is Remington & Winchester so brass wouldn't be an issue.

AntiqueSledMan.

[uscra112]

Not too hard to make .32 Ideal brass from 5.6x50R. Or .357 Max brass, although the end result ends up being a few thou short. The real problem is dies. They can be bought, but not cheaply.