Hello friends,
A while back I started a discussion to help me choose my retirement rifle. It was to be a gift to myself.
I have always wanted a Marlin 1894 or Winchester 1873 in one of the small blackpowder cartridges and i figured that if I didn't get it now then I would never get it.
I found an original Marlin 1894 on Gunbroker. It was chambered in 32-20. According to the serial number it was built in 1899. The photos looked nice and the gunshop selling it assured me that I could look at it and return it if I din't like it. So I sent them the money.
It showed up at my local FFL and I just got back from doing the paperwork. My FFL also has a 25 yard indoor lane and you can shoot any gun that you are DROS'ing while they hold it for the 10 days.
I have to say I may have a new favorite rifle! It is in beautiful condition for a gun that was built in 1899. It has been restored externally, new blueing, etc. And the bore looks very, very good.
I could only find one box of factory ammo for it. Remington 100 gr LRN rated at 1220 fps in a rifle.
The rifle cycles ammo like a new gun. The action is slick and tight and feels just like one of my new Remlins. No slop and a crisp trigger. The tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight. The accuracy is pretty good also. I previously pulled one of the rounds of the factory ammo and the bullet is a swaged lead at .312".
I now have a die set and extra brass. Should I get a mold that drops at .314" and size to that? I did not take anything to the range to slug the bore. I was going to but I could not find my 1/4" steel rod. It's lost somewhere in the garage. Maybe tomorrow I will buy another rod and go by the FFL and slug the bore.
Any ways, thanks to every one who contributed to the other thread. It helped a lot.
Steve in N CA