Winchester 1885 Rebarrel to 38-55

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Looks like I am going to buy a NITB Winchester 1885 (jap) in 22-250. My plan is to rebarrel it to 38-55. Are there any quirks about the swap you know of ?

[Typecaster]

If it's like the originals, it should be straightforward. You'll save some work if you can get an ejector for 38-55 or 30-30; otherwise, it's not too difficult to rework the 22-250 to fit...a lot easier than building up for a smaller rim (been there, done that).

Richard

[August]

It depends on what your intentions are for shooting the rifle when you get it finished. Note that the Miroku Hi-Wall is made with two distinctive receivers: one without a top tang extending into the stock and one with a top tang that provides a location for mounting an aperture sight. The 22-250 will not have a top tang and will make proper mounting of soule sights impossible.

[marlinman93]

You can buy a new one already chambered for .38-55, and then then if you want a different barrel everything will be correct already. Or just leave it as a .38-55 as it came.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126246380

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126039073

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126081286

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126204586

Doesn't seem to be any shortage of NIB 1885's.

[BPCR Bill]

If you are going through the trouble of rebarreling, just purchase an Italian job in whatever configuration you want (I.E. Uberti Special Sporter, pistol grip, DST, spur lever). If the 38-55 barrel is junk, just get a Green Mountain or Badger and have it installed. Presto. It sounds like you are going to have to get new forearm wood anyway, and this way you can get whatever weight barrel you wish, in full or half octogon. At least you won't have to fuss with the extractor. I have an Uberti 38-55 that shoots fair, and I'm going to compete in a match this weekend with it. 100 shots offhand at 200 yards. I'll let you know how badly I embarresed myself.

Regards,
Bill

[boommer]

The browning B78 is the one without the tang.

[missionary5155]

Good morning everyone
Thanks for the imput... The Italian route would be cheaper... seeing as there seems to be barrel problems with some 38 caliber bores.

[Green Frog]

missionary5155,

The problem that has been most discussed about barrel problems in the .38-55 has been with the Italian versions (mostly being unpredictable in both bore diameter and consistency.) If you want a scoped .38-55, there is nothing wrong with rebarreling the Japanese 'wall with a good US made .38-55 bbl (I like Green Mtn personally) and drilling and tapping the barrel for scope blocks; as previously mentioned, a tang sight presents new problems, though.


If you want a rifle that works like the original, however, you must go with the Italian or American reproductions. Internally the Japanese version is another animal altogether.

HTH ~ Froggie

[montana_charlie]

The Italian route would be cheaper...
It probably wouldn't be cheaper if you opted for the new Pedersoli hiwall. But, you would have a barrel that you most certainly wouldn't want to change.

CM

[Dale53]

One thing the Brownings (and Winchester) have over the other replicas is they are extremely high quality. I have both a BPCR (40/65) and a Creedmoor (45/90) and they are superb rifles. Both have OEM Badger barrels and shoot like a house afire.

On the other hand, my Winchester Miroku low-wall in .22 rimfire shoots extremely well but is only good for 30-40 shots before needing cleaned or you severely lose accuracy (get match accuracy until it starts shooting wild).

Dale53

[loophole]

I just had a B 78 rebarreled to 38-55. Scheutzen Gun Co in Colorado did an excellent job, got it done when it was promised, at a fair price. Green Mountain bbl.
Mounting the tang sight is not a big problem. The gunsmith can weld a tang onto the receiver, or you can inlet a steel piece the size of the tang into the wood, hold it in with wood swcrews, and drill and tap it for the tang sight screws. You can also mount the sight on the wood--my H&R officer model trapdoor has the tang sight mounted on the wood and it shoots inside 2 minutes of angle. I wouldn't use this method with a tall long range sight, though.
I have't had a chance to test my rifle for accuracy, but the Green mountian bbl looks great and feels silky smooth when I cleaned it between break-in shots.
Steve K

If at first you don't secede, try, try again.

[montana_charlie]

If at first you don't secede, try, try again.
Does that mean The South should rise again?
CM

[leftiye]

Not possible.

[montana_charlie]

Just wondering who should be trying to secede...
CM

[loophole]

If you boys want to continue to be part of a union with folks who put Ted Kennedy and Chuck Shumer in the Senate and Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank in the House, you're welcome to my part of it.
I think we can do much better on our own.
Steve K

If at first you don't secede, try, try again.

[Phil]

I'm with Loophole on this one. (:>)

Cheers,

Phil

[6.5 mike]

i m with loophole gun control 1ST round ON target