Winchester Collector - Forum: General Discussions & Questions

Pete Hynard on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:38:47 +0000

I like the way you guys think too.

I have two centrefire Model '73s. One started life as a .38-40 that had a replacement barrel put on it a hundred years ago, maybe more. The replacement was a Marlin .38-55 barrel that had the chamber cut off, re-threaded to fit the ’73 receiver and re-chambered to .38-40 calibre. My wife bought if for me years ago. I love that gun. The barrel marking still says .38-55.

The bore was a little rough so I tried it with jacketed bullets. It wasn’t a great group and the barrel got much hotter than is normal for a ’73. Turns out, the bore slugged out at 0.381” and .38-40 bullets are 0.400”. No wonder it got hot. It goes to show you that the ’73 action is stronger than you think.

It couldn't stay like that. I had the barrel re-bored and re-rifled to .44-40. Now it has a perfect bore and shoots like an ace. It’s my favourite deer rifle. I attached a target for you to see.

The other ‘73 began life as a .32-20. I bought it as a shooter but it had a rough bore too. My plan had been to re-line it but my gunsmith suggested swapping the barrel with one he had on hand. The replacement was a Marlin .25-36 with a perfect bore, off a Marlin Model 1893. Like my deer rifle, my gunsmith Steve cut the chamber off, re-threaded the barrel and re-chambered it to .25-20. Now both rifles have old, beat-up octagon Marlin barrels and button magazines. They’re a matched set. I attached a pic.

I know what you’re thinking. The .25-20 has a twist rate of 1:14 and the .25-36 is 1:8. An 85-grain cast bullet comes out spinning twice as fast as it should. "Don’t worry", Steve said. "It’s OK to spin them too fast, just don’t spin them too slow."

You can read the whole story in an upcoming Winchester Collector magazine. I think Brad has it planned for the next issue.

Pete Hynard, Ontario, Canada

win4575 on Jim Gordon past away?

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:10:55 +0000

He was a good friend, a keen historian and a gentle man. He was willing to share his vast knowledge with anyone who had questions. Many years ago, he gave me his 1876 Winchester servey material. He had mentioned plans for a book on 1876 Winchesters and possibly one on 1866 Winchesters. He will be missed.

Brad Dunbar on TULSA?

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:48:02 +0000

Nice stuff Bob. It's amazing to see old, full cartridge boxes that look that good yet.

TXGunNut on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:53:44 +0000

I like the way you think. I bought an 1892 in 32WCF awhile back and quite honestly it was a mistake. I doubled down and had it relined, put a Marble tang sight and Lyman 17 front sight on it and it became quite the shooter.

Mike

MCorrell on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:30:58 +0000

My goal is to build what I can’t buy, a nice half octagon barrel model 1892 with a good shoot able bore. Since I have to go the new barrel route I might as well go with CCH of my existing action and components and eventually new wood. This will be a lifetime gun for sure.

1873man on TULSA?

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:36:34 +0000

Bought a real nice rare box of ammo and areal nice Windage front sight with the box.

Bob

fordwannabe on TULSA?

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:54:55 +0000

Well I made it! Saw a beautiful group of guns of all types. Stopped at the WACA booth Thanks for being so gracious to everyone there. I ran into one antler glad to meet a member. Thank you sir.. Now it’s day two and I am taking a break because my feet hurt AND you can’t move without bumping into somebody so I am on a self imposed timeout.

TXGunNut on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:39:50 +0000

MCorrell said

TXGunNut said
If you're set on a replacement barrel I'd go with one as close to original specs as possible. Which cast bullet are you using? I'm not sure you'd get any benefit from single point rifling but that's a question I'd run past Mr. Hunter.

Mike

Hi Mike, I am leaning towards the factory standards which include single point rifling. I have been using Meister bullets with .258 dia and 86 grain weight but now hear they are no longer available. I may start casting my own so that I’ll always have a steady supply. There’s not much written about the 25-20

I have a ball with my 32WCF but was not able to find a 25-20 with a decent bore. I understand that's pretty common. There are some good commercial cast bullets out there but casting may ensure a good supply once you find a bullet that works for you. Sounds like an interesting project. Please keep us posted.

Mike

Chuck on Jim Gordon past away?

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:13:30 +0000

1873man said
I talked to a guy from that area at the Tulsa show and he confirmed that he past away 10 days ago. He was mid 80’s.
Bob

Sorry Bob.

tim tomlinson on Jim Gordon past away?

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:58:51 +0000

Bob, Sure am sorry to hear that! Yet sooner or later it will come to visit us, too. I corresponded but a little with him in his efforts on the model 1873. I have always greatly admired his doing so and the information he provided. My condolences to his family if any happen to read this. Tim

MCorrell on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:00:13 +0000

TXGunNut said
If you're set on a replacement barrel I'd go with one as close to original specs as possible. Which cast bullet are you using? I'm not sure you'd get any benefit from single point rifling but that's a question I'd run past Mr. Hunter.

Mike

Hi Mike, I am leaning towards the factory standards which include single point rifling. I have been using Meister bullets with .258 dia and 86 grain weight but now hear they are no longer available. I may start casting my own so that I’ll always have a steady supply. There’s not much written about the 25-20

1873man on Jim Gordon past away?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:41:23 +0000

I talked to a guy from that area at the Tulsa show and he confirmed that he past away 10 days ago. He was mid 80’s.

Bob

Maverick on Jim Gordon past away?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:32:29 +0000

I don't know if he's passed or not but he has to be in his early 90s.

Sincerely,

Maverick

Chuck on Jim Gordon past away?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:20:33 +0000

That is sad news, if true.

TXGunNut on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:48:50 +0000

If you're set on a replacement barrel I'd go with one as close to original specs as possible. Which cast bullet are you using? I'm not sure you'd get any benefit from single point rifling but that's a question I'd run past Mr. Hunter.

Mike