redhawk0
04-16-2021, 12:15 PM
Here is where I am...I acquired a 1901 Winchester 1894 in 38-55 caliber. It was in VERY rough shape when I got it. I have a new stock fitted (as best I could...not real happy with it...but.....it will work)....anyway...
After cleaning it all up and reassembling it, the hammer wouldn't stay cocked after cycling the lever. I guess I removed too much grime. This rifle has the hammer with the whale-tail checkering on the top. Seeing that it was only made for the first few years its a rare hammer and the one I found was way out of my price range for a freeby rifle in bad shape. So, I had a military contractor buddy of mine put some steel weld on the top and I reshaped it about 1mm higher than it was. Now it cocks fine when cycling.
OK...so now I need some input. I drove a lead slug through the bore today and it came out almost smooth. As near as I can tell the bore is severely worn out. To a point where I can see straight lines down the length of the barrel after a thorough cleaning and scrubbing with JB bore paste. The straight lines are obviously from jacketed bullets being shot and not engaging the rifling.
The slug measures 0.378" - .381" depending on how it's turned. There is no visible rifling on the slug to measure accurately. So...what I'd like to do is purchase a mold that is 0.380" and then powder coat to gain another thou or two. But before I do that......
If anyone has some boolits in that 0.380" range that I could try I'd appreciate it. I can pay for materials/shipping of course. (Paypal works best for me)....let me know if you have something.
Any input on this idea would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying my best to be hopeful...It might just turn into a wall hanger.
redhawk
After cleaning it all up and reassembling it, the hammer wouldn't stay cocked after cycling the lever. I guess I removed too much grime. This rifle has the hammer with the whale-tail checkering on the top. Seeing that it was only made for the first few years its a rare hammer and the one I found was way out of my price range for a freeby rifle in bad shape. So, I had a military contractor buddy of mine put some steel weld on the top and I reshaped it about 1mm higher than it was. Now it cocks fine when cycling.
OK...so now I need some input. I drove a lead slug through the bore today and it came out almost smooth. As near as I can tell the bore is severely worn out. To a point where I can see straight lines down the length of the barrel after a thorough cleaning and scrubbing with JB bore paste. The straight lines are obviously from jacketed bullets being shot and not engaging the rifling.
The slug measures 0.378" - .381" depending on how it's turned. There is no visible rifling on the slug to measure accurately. So...what I'd like to do is purchase a mold that is 0.380" and then powder coat to gain another thou or two. But before I do that......
If anyone has some boolits in that 0.380" range that I could try I'd appreciate it. I can pay for materials/shipping of course. (Paypal works best for me)....let me know if you have something.
Any input on this idea would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying my best to be hopeful...It might just turn into a wall hanger.
redhawk