Win 1892 convert from 25-20 to 256 Winchester???

[rbertalotto]

I have the opportunity to purchase a Winchester 1892 that some one ruined by "refreshing" it. Reblued with aggressive buffing!

So It has zero collector value, but I also like the 256 Winchester cartridge. How hard would it be to convert this rifle fron 25-20 to 256?

[Booger Bill]

I dont know how hard, but I have seen it done. I always wanted one too. I once had a martini done in it. It makes a sweet rifle.

[Hobie]

Contact Steve@stevesgunz.com (our own Nate Kiowa Jones). He's got some issues at the moment but knows the ins and outs.

[pwl44m]

So whats it gonna be, a 256 or a 257 ?

[earlmck]

That'll have to be one fine rifle, Roy. A 25-20 on steroids. I've been contemplating the same thing, but thought I'd start with a Rossi in .357. That way it should already be feeding the cartridge OK without working over the cartridge guides, and the bolt face would be right. I'm puzzled that Rossi and/or Marlin haven't already built rifles so chambered.

[RIHMFIRE]

sounds interesting....
I have never heard of this round in all my years of shooting...
I lust checked and brass is a buck a piece...
but I read a 357 can be necked down,
If you do the project, ya gotta post pics and details...

[rbertalotto]

"256"!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry......fat fingers!

I have a TC 23" barrel in this caliber and it's a honey. My buddy just bought a Marlin Model 56 or 62 or something in this caliber to keep his 30 Carbine in the same model company............

I think starting with a Rossi in 357 is a MUCH better way to go. I know of a real nice case Colored that I can pick up for under $500.....Just need an octagon 25cal barrel.............

Stay tuned!

[Terry Murbach]

AN OLD PAL AND FELLOW SHOOTIST OF MINE IN TEJAS, GEORGE ROBINS, RIP, RECHAMBERED A MODERN MARLIN '94 25-50 TO 256WIN AND IT WORKED GREAT. LITERALLY ALL HE DID WAS RE-CHAMBER AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY. MATTER OF FACT IF MEMORY SERVES, GEORGE REMOVED THE BOLT AND APPLIED THE REAMER TO THE CHAMBER WITHOUT EVEN REMOVING THE BARREL FROM THE RECEIVER.

[rbertalotto]

Hmmmmm?

And the extractor worked?

But not knowing the condition and accuracy of the 100 year old bore on the Winchester 1892 I had my eye on, I'm still going with a 357 and a new barrel...........seems the least risky route.

[AJMD429]

.256 Winchester on AmmoGuide.com - http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/ai.cgi?sn= ... &catid=115

[earlmck]

Roy, before you go looking for a .25 cal barrel, see if the .357 barrel can just be lined to 25 cal and then chambered for the .256. I may not know what I'm talking about here, knowing virtually nothing about barrel lining. But that was a thought I had when reading about relined barrels on this forum and would be the first thing I checked on if I were to pursue my own .256 project.

And by the way if you go ahead and get that m92, the old 25/20 is a pretty nifty cartridge in its own right. Probably a better bet for cast bullets than the .256 because it'll give an 87 grain casty about all the velocity it needs and it has a nice long neck for protecting grease grooves.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Roy, before you go looking for a .25 cal barrel, see if the .357 barrel can just be lined to 25 cal and then chambered for the .256. I may not know what I'm talking about here, knowing virtually nothing about barrel lining. But that was a thought I had when reading about relined barrels on this forum and would be the first thing I checked on if I were to pursue my own .256 project.

And by the way if you go ahead and get that m92, the old 25/20 is a pretty nifty cartridge in its own right. Probably a better bet for cast bullets than the .256 because it'll give an 87 grain casty about all the velocity it needs and it has a nice long neck for protecting grease grooves.

I agree, the 357m Rossi in modern steel would get you much closer and hold up better. You should be able to reline the barrel fairly easy if it's and octagon. But, because if the smaller O.D to reline a round barrel requires turning a step (smaller dia.) in the liner about 2/3's to half way out from the muzzle and boring the barrel to match.

[rbertalotto]

Relining is an option. But since I do all of my own work, it would be less expensive to buy an octagon barrel blank and rent a reamer. If I relined I'd need to buy a liner, drill and rent a reamer. And if I simply make a new barrel, I'll have a "Switch Barrel" lever gun..........

I agree about the 25-20. Just about a perfect lead bullet cartridge. But I plan on jacketed with this rifle at much more flat shooting velocities for Coyote and such. It could even be used on Pronghorn with a Malcolm 6X scope.

[earlmck]

Sounds like you have your project well thought-out. I'll be real interested in your experience: looking forward to pics and report!

I picked up my octagon-barreled .357 Rossi off gunbroker last month just for this .256 project. But am afraid I'm going to get fond of it in .357 and will have to get another to do the .256.

Back in ancient times (my last week in the Navy as I was being processed out) I found the Marlin m62 .256 in the Navy Exchange. Brought it home with me: really liked the cartridge but could not get fond of the gun and soon traded it off to a friend (so I do get to see and shoot it occasionally). Been wanting the cartridge in m92 ever since.

[rbertalotto]

Happens to me all the time! Buying guns for a particular project and then falling in "like" with the gun as it is. I have a safe full of unfullfilled ideas!

Have you seen my thread on here about the Marlin 336 that I'm converting from round to octagon. This rifle was so ugly I had to "save" it!