doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Strength of 1895 Winchester?

Thanks to all you gents for the commentary and expecially for the link. My inquiry was caused by this custom 95 coming up in a Paulin auction next month:

http://www.auctionflex.com/showlot.ap?co=23431&weid=14022&weiid=4957922

Very handsome stocks but the bore is worn. If it could be recut to .35 Whelen it would be great. But in view of the comments I am doubtful. I also did some checking to compare .35 vs. '06 factory ammo pressures, the sources are a bit confusing because some of the figures are in CUP some in PSI but in general in modern factory ammo the two cartridges seem to be about the same. Since historically the 95 was marginal for '06 after, say 1920 when the 150 gran went from 2700 to 2900 fs, that suggests that .35 Whelen would be on the edge too, tending to stretch tha action. There would be no problem with a new 95 but that would not have the fancy stockwork.

It seems to me you would be putting a lot of money into something that is marginal. If the wood is your reason for wanting this rifle. I think you could restock a marlin with pretty wood have les money invested and not have to duck everytime you pull the trigger. I would leave the high pressure centerfire to the bolt guns. Reboring the Winchester would add to the cost and also detract from its value.
This is just my opinion.
Tom

What about 9.3x62? Same case I believe.

Don't claim to be an expert. I'd buy it and rebarrel it to .38-72 or .405. But then I don't really need it.

Brent

As per Mike Armstrong's suggestion I did write to Fred Zeglin and here is his reply:


Fred Zeglin <fred@z-hat.com> Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Reply-To: fred@z-hat.com
To: mkbenenson@aol.com

Howdy,

As a rule if you stay away for the hot ammo from Norma and the "extended
range" ammo there is no problem.
SAAMI limits the pressure of 30-06 ammo to keep guns like your safe. So
long as it is in good condition and the headspace is set correct either
caliber would be totally acceptable in your gun. Of course 06 is only
possible with a new barrel.

We could have it rebored for you. The cost is $395 plus shipping. About
95% of all rebores work out just fine, but the risk is yours if the barrel
does not rebore. In your case I would tell them 35 caliber and if that did
not work they could still try for 9.3mm. Let me know what you decide.

I have written back to Mr. Zeglin to say I will not do it. I can control the ammo used in the reworked rifle but cannot control the next owner, who may be less careful.

Just curious, but what '06 diameter case -- that is damn near a straight wall to the mouth -- would cycle thru the action, with minimal adaptations.

I'm positing a case that was more or less a originally a black powder number, that would be difficult to overload to higher CUP. Something in the spirit of a .40-70, but with a parent case that wouldn't involve a great deal of re-engineered gunsmithing. Just thinking that a rebore and chamber to something that is limited to lower pressure, would still be a fun shooting gun.

And, this question may be for naught anyway,as I can't think of semi-rimmed base that might make a workable straight wall. Maybe, the .400 Whelen re-named the .400 Rimless Cast-bullet Flinger -- stamped on the bbl?

I will mention that I was shooting a fellow's little .45 Colt H&R single shot carbine a bit ago,and ya know what? It was just one helluva lotta-uv fun. Smacks reactive targets just fine,offhand,at the hunnert yard berm. That's sorta how I see such a project developing with the rifle you describe: a lower pressure, lead-pill, plunkin'-roller, of appropriate magnitude, in a zoot historic levergun.

Besides, if it has that famous crescent buttplate,future generations will thank you.

One of me fave levergun ca'tridges is the lowly and unheralded .35Rem. It gets no respect today,but is a fine and easy to load round, which has reasonable pressure, a useful trajectory and very mild recoil. It's case might shuffle thru that boxy action. I did once land a daid-centre hit on a four inch wide piece of channel-iron standing in a sand bank at 275 yards. 200 grain SP punched right on thru it, neat as a drill bit. Just sayin':it has it's own hunting history and is a fun plinker with CB's,too.

Anyway, I'm up past my bedtime, had a rare beer besides, and thereby disclaim responsibility for the foregoing. Typing while under the influence,Ossifer? Nuh-unh!!