Re-lining barrels.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have the opportunity to pick up a Savage 23 (I think thats the model number, plain bolt rifle with one piece action/barrel). Unfortunately the barrel is pretty sad. Still very defined rifling, but erosion and expansion cracks running accross the lands. It will probably still shoot ok, but I like em in good nick. My old 223 was worse than this before I rebarrelled it, the rifle would shoot a reasonable 5 shot group, then started opening up from there.

I did a search but didn't come up with anything. What involved in relining? I am aware that they don't solder them any more, just use pretty fancy glue or expoxy or something.

I'd like to get this thing going as I find the 92's buckhorn sights and small game are not a good mix with my ageing sight.

I would probably be able to make money on the deal after I sell the 92.

Four Fingers.

[BPCR Bill]

Is this a .22 rimfire? If so, re-lining is not a big chore for a gunsmith. Brownells sells kits for relining 22 rimfires. Centerfire rifles should be restricted to straight wall cases. Many 45-70's and the like have been relined succesfully by a small number of smiths that do it. Modern centerfire rifles with shouldered cartridges (ie 30-06, 223) should be rebarreled. Reason being chamber pressures get too high.
Relining basically involves boring out the barrel to accept a liner. In the case of 22's, the liner can be set in place with Accraglas. With a straight wall centerfire they are usually sweated in with silver solder. Then the new chamber gets reamed.

Regards,
Bill

[jhrosier]

What caliber is the rifle now?
IIRC, the model 23 was available in .22 Hornet, .25-20, and 32-20.
If it is a Hornet or .25-20 you could have it rebored for the next larger sized cartridge.
Cost would probably be more than the value of the rifle though.

Jack

[Dan Cash]

Taylor Machine in Washington relined my 95 Win in .30-40. I know where the liner is and can not see it. The gun shoots as well or better than it did when new. Relining for a bottle neck cartridge depends on how much barrel and what cartridige. It need not be restricted to straight sided cartridge cases.

[Four Fingers of Death]

One is a 25/20 and the other is a 32/20. No one does re-boring in Australia now that I am aware of. Sprinter Arms in South Australia did until recently, charged as much as a new barrel in the end.

Four Fingers.

[456eec]

I've relined Model 92s in .25/20 and .32/20 as well as a 73 in .44/40 (with help from a machinist friend). Ordered the liners and instructions from Brownells. It was very successful. I have .25/20 and .32/20 reamers for sale. The .25 has cut one chamber, the .32 is unused. I live in Queensland. Let me know if you need any information.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I've relined Model 92s in .25/20 and .32/20 as well as a 73 in .44/40 (with help from a machinist friend). Ordered the liners and instructions from Brownells. It was very successful. I have .25/20 and .32/20 reamers for sale. The .25 has cut one chamber, the .32 is unused. I live in Queensland. Let me know if you need any information.

Very interesting, I'll keep it in mind.
Four Fingers.

[rbuck351]

456eec How much on the 25/20 reamer?

[Bret4207]

I'd not hesitate to have a 23 relined. The barrel steel is nice stuff and should drill out nicely/ There are several outfits in the States that do it and liners are available from Brownells. Any competent machinist should be able to do it easily.

[Pavogrande]

Nice article in this months American Gunsmith on making your own drill/reamer for relining 22rf single shot along with the set up proceedures. There is some emphasis on the importance of close fitting drill pilots. The liner is epoxied in -- The only difficulty I see with the savage is perhaps needing a longer extension for drilling from the reciever end -- -- my ha-penny

[Bret4207]

That pilot is of the utmost importance. I ruined a barrel once thinking I could get away without a proper pilot. It's worth the time and effort to fit a proper one.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Thanks, still pondering about this one. Might end up getting the rifle next week.