A new project Rifle - Early Lowall

Did a bit of horse trading this weekend and bought a Winchester Lowall in 22WCF Very early Seral No. 15*** makes it made in 1887 which believe was the first year of production for the Lowall model. The orginal barrel is cactus, and requires either a re-barrel or re-line.

Can't decide on a liner in 22 cal. or a new 26" barrel with half round/half octagonal profile in 25/20. I have a vintage "Ideal" tang sight which would look good!

A bit of special timber for a new stock

https://i.imgur.com/gSUEKUgl.jpg

I hate to see what wood is available outside of my reach! That is a dandy for sure . Is that a real hard piece to work with?

Approx, the same density and hardness as walnut. use a lot of it for making jewel boxes

https://i.imgur.com/f5KdzNsl.jpg

Pretty wood, should make a spectacular stock.

If you relined the barrel to .22 Hornet, the extractor should work with nothing else needing to be done.

The .25-20 is also a fun little cartridge. Which caliber do you have more brass for?

Robert

Have 900 Hornet, 500 x 25/20 and an extra 200 new Starline 32/20 for reforming if needed!

The only other chambering that interests me would be 218 Bee.

Of all the calibers you mention, 25-20 excites me the most. Of course I prefer the long, skinny 25-20 SS case, but there’s really nothing wrong with the 25-20 WCF, and brass for it would be simpler. That wood is over the top gorgeous! I can’t wait to see it on a low wall. :)
Please keep us informed with your progress. Virtual experiences are better than none at all! :mrgreen:
Froggie

I would definitely go with "new 26" barrel with half round/half octagonal profile in 25/20." Would be very happy to have a setup like that.

As an old Schuetzen aficionado, I looked at your “jewel box” and said to myself, “That design has the potential to make a great range box to carry bullets, cases, a re- and decapper with a sleeve or two of primers, a powder measure and a bullet seater or breech seater. If the wood matches the stock so much the better!
This follows my basic mantra, “Even if you can’t look good on the target, always look good on the bench!” :mrgreen:

Froggie

Go with the 218 Bee. You will love it. It was the first cartridge I reloaded. Cases are much easier to find than the other cartridges you mentioned.

Might as well do a new barrel on a custom Lo-wall. I have a Martini in a 222R and a 218 Bee. Both are fun shooters, not too much for casting.
For cast I would probably do something larger in bullet diameter, perhaps like a rimmed 6mm or 7mmTCU shape based on the 222R. If you have a small case like the 222R in a 6mm should be real accurate.

That dark stripe wood should cut well and make a nice stock and forend.

I would also go with the 218 bee, what type of wood is that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by j p sixguns welldone

I would also go with the 218 bee, what type of wood is that.

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Camphor Laurel, it grows locally as a weed! No two trees have the same grain structure ranging from quilting to striking contrast.

https://i.imgur.com/JQBzDAal.jpg

Hornet seem the logical choice if for no other reason than the original outer stampings would amount to "kinda, sorta".

I personally prefer traditional cartridge choices, so the .25-20WCF would be my choice. Of course the original .22WCF is not a bad choice either, and with handloading it can be a very nice cartridge to shoot in a Low wall.

Nice to see an 1885 about to launch. Just had my 45-60 WCF HW 1885 out today
for some tree trimming. The serial number is 6651, which makes this rifle a 1st year of production 1885 model.
Either the 25-20 or 22 WCF would be nice.