OT - Rechambering an 1885 low wall

[kimwcook]

I found a store with an old 1885 Winchester low wall chambered in 22 long. How easy would it be to rechamber it to accept 22 LR? I've never rechambered anything before, but according to what I've read it isn't that hard. A reamer, careful reaming, check with go/no go and you're there. I can't see the change from 22 long to long rifle would be any concern for pressure.

[mescalero1]

It is a straight forward operation, Turn the reamer by hand pressure.

[marlinman93]

It's easy to do, buyt you need to consider the twist rate first! A .22 Long was designed to use a twist that could stabilize a bullet at around 700 fps, where most .22LR go over 1,000 plus. You may find that after rechambering the gun wont give you any accuracy if the faster bullets don't take to the faster twist of the .22 Long bore. Check the twist rate first, as I'm not sure what Winchester used in the 1885 in .22 Long. I'll check Campbell's book and see what he might list for twist rate in it.-Vall

[Sixgun]

I thought the "Long" and the "Long Rifle" had the same case length. Funny thing, after all these years and bunches of guns, I never had a "Long" only gun to test out. Beings that its a single shot, I bet it would work as is.---------Sixgun

[marlinman93]

Campbell says the .22 Long and .22 short both used 1-24" twist, and the .22LR used a 1-16" twist. As I suspected, this will spell disaster if you rechamber, as the slow twist wont stabilize the .22LR bullet

[marlinman93]

You're right Sixgun, they are the same length, but the twist rate will still mess up the accuracy. Best to shoot the .22Shorts in it, and hope the small jump doesn't upset the bullet.-Vall

[kimwcook]

Campbell says the .22 Long and .22 short both used 1-24" twist, and the .22LR used a 1-16" twist. As I suspected, this will spell disaster if you rechamber, as the slow twist wont stabilize the .22LR bullet

That sucks because even though the rifle isn't pristine it's an original and if I recall, I swear I'm getting tired of getting old and losing my memory stuff, it wasn't that badly priced.

There was a bunch of '92's in 25-20 and some '73's that were pretty worn. One of the bbl.'s I couldn't even see rifling. Now that could be because the bbl. is full of crud, but all the bbl.'s were dark. Each and every one of the rifles had issues.

[mescalero1]

I think Vall is right, that twist could louse up the accuracy

[marlinman93]

If it's a nice 1885 at a good price, I'd sure jump on it! They're really climbing in value, and it will most likely shoot the shorts fine if the bore is good.

[cowboykell]

I had a Winder musket that I shot 22 LR in. Very accurate, traded it for a Rem #4 .

[kimwcook]

I didn't look at the bore once I saw the caliber on the bbl. so I have no idea what it's like.

I don't shoot shorts as most my ranges are longer than I'd like to shoot with a short. I've never shot longs. I've always shot long rifles.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I bet it will shoot CB caps great. I would get it!

[Kansas Ed]

And what's wrong with shooting Longs? They are about the same price as the shorts, shoot between the velocity of the Shorts and the LR's but with the lighter bullet weight of the short. I think this is probably a better small game cartridge anyhow...especially for squirrels and rabbits.

Ballistics from Winchester 1925:

.22 Short Super Speed - 29 gr. - 1150fps
.22 Long Super Speed - 29 gr. - 1250fps
.22 LR Super Speed - 40 gr. - 1400fps

http://www.grafs.com/product/206578

Ed

[Cliff]

Marlinman hit it right on the mark. Some years back I picked up a version of a Winder Low Wall, bore looked bright and it was properly roll marked 22 Long Rifle. Well it came with a proper receiver sight, and hooded front sight. Would not shoot worth a diddle at 25 or 50 yards with any 22LR I tried. I finally measured the twist and it was a 1-24 twist. Also upon close examination you could see the bore was worn from aggressive cleaning, rifling rounded like. Sent it off and had it relined. Well it is one very accurate rifle with the 22's it likes. To me it was worth it. The serial number indicated it was made sometime after the factory had stopped production of this model so I figured it was made up of spare parts at the factory. The rebore, relining job isn't noticeable unless you go looking for it. I felt it was worth it to get it back into shooting shape. Tried CB-longs and regular and CB shorts before sending it off, didn't help a bit so I don't think I did a terrible thing getting it relined. If the price is right you might consider this option. I do routinely get 3/4 inch groups at 50 yards now. Good Luck.