Rebore or Line My '73?

[Speedo66]

I have a Winchester '73, manufactured in 1889, in .38-40. It's certainly not pristine, the bore was never very good, but now it's starting to keyhole somewhat. I shoot very light loads of Trailboss in it, don't know if that has anything to do with it.

So it crossed my mind to either rebore it to .44-40, or have the barrel relined in the original caliber. I know either will lower the value, wondering which would affect it less? I'll also have to factor in cost, don't know which would be less expensive.

In addition, have to figure out if anything internal would have to be changed to work with the .44-40.

Any thoughts on this?

[missionary5155]

Greetings
If you reline you still have the original barrel markings correct. Some view that as a real plus.
Do you already shoot 44 WCF ? If so then you have no additional needs to shoot a rebore. But as you already shoot and reload caliber 38 you are still owner of the gear.
44 and 38 use the same bolt, cartridge lifter, cartridge tube..... all the same.
Mike in LLama Land

[Speedo66]

Mike, thanks for the info re: internals. I don't load for .44-40, no dies, bullets, or cases so that's something to think about.

Anybody know prices on lining a barrel?

[1Hawkeye]

A rebore is going to be about 200.00 cheaper than a reline. If the rifle is already in rough shape then a rebore is not going to hurt the valve by much. JES reboring did a .44-40 rebore for me early last year and the work was fantastic he charged 250.00 and that included return shipping. The barreled action was only gone 4 weeks and I'm on the opposite coast.

[Rick B]

Speaking from experience, I had Redmond’s reline a 1873 in 32WCF. Was gone about 9 months, well worth it. Shoots like a dream now! A reline is 425.00. Rifle came back with a very professionally installed liner. Evidence of the liner is really faint at the muzzle. I really like old gray/brown guns with mint bores.

Something to be said for retaining the original caliber! The only time I have had a larger caliber rebore done is on a round barreled rifle. Octagon barreled Winchesters can be relined.
Rick

[bosterr]

Even though a re-line costs more than a rebore, I'd go with the re-line. I had a Marlin 94 relined by Redmond's to the original 32-20 and other than a little shinyness of the extractor cut on the breach end that since has dulled, I can't tell it's been re-lined. The muzzle is impossible to see the line around the liner. This rifle is an absolute tack driver.

[Shawlerbrook]

If you go reline, check with John Taylor here. He does a lot of that work. I would also highly recommend JES for reboring.

[Speedo66]

Thanks to all for the info!

[skeettx]

Start here,
use softer bullets, a quick burning powder, which will bump up the base of the bullet
No need to do any work on the gun
Let us know how this worked out for you
Mike

[dverna]

Another vote to reline. After buying dies, molds and brass for a new caliber the savings are not a lot you do not need to bugger up the barrel stamp. Something about keeping it in the original caliber appeals to me...make little sense.

[edp2k]

Before you rebore or reline, try some hotter loads with your existing bullets or some larger bullets, like .402 or .403.
I'll bet that fixes you problem.
Also, a good, deep clean, using some pieces of copper chore boy wrapped around your bore brush, will probably help.

[GhostHawk]

To keep its value, hang it on the wall.

To keep it as a shooter and or change caliber, rebore. Lining I do not know enough about.

[Thumbcocker]

Load development is a cheap first step.

[glaciers]

From what I understand reboring the early Winchesters barrels could have hard spots which can give you a less than satisfactory job.
Relining gives you a good bore and you can stay with the original caliber.
But first I would increase the velocity first and check your bore diameter compared to the bullets you are using. Also scrub the barrel to make sure of it's condition.

[Speedo66]

Thanks again to all for the great suggestions!

I'm going to try slightly hotter loads and see if that helps.

[MI2600]

I recently bought a '92 SRC in 38-40 that had been relined and the only indication, beside a perfect bore, is a very slight silver ring at the mouth of the chamber.

As mentioned above, you already have the wherewithal for reloading 38-40 and the barrel marking would not have to be over-stamped. Another reline vote.

[John Taylor]

I have run into a few barrels that don't do well with a rebore, usually caused by rust pits that can run deep. If a rebore does not work out it can always be relined. I have a 73 that has a good coat of rust on the outside but still functions. I installed a liner in 32-20 so it can be shot. I picked it up after a contractor found it under a house that he was tearing down. I get asked often why someone would leave a rifle in the crawl space under a house. Many years back when old guns didn't have any value they were given to kids to play with, some kid probably drug it under the house and forgot about it.

[DonMountain]

Relining the barrel will maintain the original caliber and markings, and give you a modern, high strength steel barrel that will last for a much longer time and work better with smokeless powder and jacketed bullet loads. Reboring will give you an old, soft steel barrel meant for black powder and lead bullet only loads. Again.

[sharps4590]

If changing your load doesn't work for you, and I hope it does, I would opt for the re-line....for all the reasons mentioned. I've nothing against re-boring but, it is an antique and on an original I believe there should be at least some consideration given to the barrel markings But, that's my opinion. It is your rifle.

[bob208]

I have been into Winchesters for over 40 years. the .44-40 is the most common in a 73. .32-20 is next. 38-40 is the hardest to find so I would go with the reline. honest wear goes not hurt a Winchester's value as much as as being rebulbed or the stocks sanded .