Twist rate model 1892?

[andym79]

Hi does anyone know the twist rate for a 1903 model winchester 1892 24" in 38-40.

I have come across conflicting comments from 1:24 - 1:30 - 1:36.

Thanks

[andym79]

I have just been informed by a friend, with a little Winchester book, that the rifle twist for a model 1892 chambered in 38-40 was 1:30 from 1892 until 1905.

I have been shooting it with a H4227 load. If its pre 1905, I wonder if I should be using 3F powder?

[w5pv]

Model 1892 was a bp weapon.

[mikeym1a]

It may have been designed to shoot BP, but, with the advent of Smokeless, they surely would have upgraded the steels. Anyone have any Idea when? :???:

[jrmartin1964]

Winchester first listed .38 WCF cartridges loaded with smokeless powder in their August 1895 catalog, and stated that they were "Adapted to Winchester Repeating Rifles, .38 Caliber, Model 1873 and Model 1892, and Winchester Single Shot rifles." So, at least by 1895 Winchester considered the Model 1892 to be safe with smokeless powder.

In the 1892 six-groove rifling was standard, and the same rate of twist was used for both .44 and .38 caliber. To approx. serial 400,000 (c.1907): 1:30; Serials approx. 400,000 to approx. 700,000 (c.1907 - c.1913): 1:24; Serials approx. 700,000 (c.1913) to end - 1:36.

FWIW, .32 WCF barrels were 1:24; and .25-20 were 1:20.

[LtFrankDrebbin]

Winchester first listed .38 WCF cartridges loaded with smokeless powder in their August 1895 catalog, and stated that they were "Adapted to Winchester Repeating Rifles, .38 Caliber, Model 1873 and Model 1892, and Winchester Single Shot rifles." So, at least by 1895 Winchester considered the Model 1892 to be safe with smokeless powder.

In the 1892 six-groove rifling was standard, and the same rate of twist was used for both .44 and .38 caliber. To approx. serial 400,000 (c.1907): 1:30; Serials approx. 400,000 to approx. 700,000 (c.1907 - c.1913): 1:24; Serials approx. 700,000 (c.1913) to end - 1:36.

FWIW, .32 WCF barrels were 1:24; and .25-20 were 1:20.

Now that puts logic to the cofusion.
Problem now is I am confused, .25-20? 1:20? I always knew them to be 1:14. If they were 1:20 no-wonder guys had trouble with the original loads (86gn bullet @ 1300fps.)

[UBER7MM]

Now that puts logic to the cofusion.
Problem now is I am confused, .25-20? 1:20? I always knew them to be 1:14. If they were 1:20 no-wonder guys had trouble with the original loads (86gn bullet @ 1300fps.)

Years ago, I was told by the Winchester lever gun sage at the gun shop that Model 92s in 25-20 WCF were 1:14 and Modern Marlins in 25-20 were 1:13. The turn of the 20th Century Model 92s would like the 65 grain Lyman 257420 better than a heavier 86 grain boolits such as the Lyman 257312. This supports what Lt. Frank wrote. Does anybody have any experience yeah or nay? Please chime in!

[prsman23]

www.bergerbullets.com/wp_super_faq/how-do-i-find-out-the-twist-in-my-barrel/

[jrmartin1964]

Winchester first listed .38 WCF cartridges loaded with smokeless powder in their August 1895 catalog, and stated that they were "Adapted to Winchester Repeating Rifles, .38 Caliber, Model 1873 and Model 1892, and Winchester Single Shot rifles." So, at least by 1895 Winchester considered the Model 1892 to be safe with smokeless powder. This information was taken directly from W.R.A.Co.'s catalog No.55, bearing the date of August 1895.


In the 1892 six-groove rifling was standard, and the same rate of twist was used for both .44 and .38 caliber. To approx. serial 400,000 (c.1907): 1:30; Serials approx. 400,000 to approx. 700,000 (c.1907 - c.1913): 1:24; Serials approx. 700,000 (c.1913) to end - 1:36.

FWIW, .32 WCF barrels were 1:24; and .25-20 were 1:20.
The information in the preceding quote was taken from "The Winchester Book" by George Madis, and upon further research it would seem to be in error, or at least there is room for doubt as to its accuracy.

Meanwhile, I dug into my collection of Ideal and Lyman handbooks and found that from No.1 through No.41 (covering the period from 1891 to 1957) the following rates of twist for Winchester produced rifles were consistently reported:
.25-20 WCF - 1:14
.32-20 WCF - 1:20
.38-40 WCF - 1:36
.44-40 WCF - 1:36

Perhaps this only adds to the confusion, but it is the information I was able to find.