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I’ve come across quite a few 1890s that at some point were rechambered to shoot 22LR. I’ve actually come across more rechambered guns than just the original 22 Longs. I own two of them (purchased as shooters knowing they’d need some work.). The carriers had also been lengthened to shoot LR reliably.
I have the Schwing books so I understand the twist rate (1/20 for S, L and 1/16 for LR) and understand it’s not ideal to shoot 22LR in the 1/20 twist barrels. My question is about the accuracy of these rechamberings?
Both of the 1890 Longs I bought believing I’d need to reline them to 22LR. However, after running a borescope down them it turns out they’re the cleanest mirror bright bores I own – figures. So I’m hesitant to make any changes to them if they shoot well but I haven’t yet been able to take them out to run them through their paces. Hoping someone can share their experiences.
I understand there’s little collector value in these guns. I’ll likely never be able to own the beauties that many of you have, so I have to build mine, which I happen to really enjoy as well. I’d be buying the same beauties you guys collect if I had the finances, lol.
Thanks in advance.
Decent 1890’s can be found for probably what you would spend for a rifle and then the cost of modifications. I’d keep looking for what you want. I love 1890’s and have had at least 20 over the years. Still have 3 in WRF.
https://www.cci-ammunition.com/rimfire/cci/22-long/6-29.html
I suspect that the accuracy attained by shooting 22 Long Rifle ammo in a rifle manufactured for the 22 Long will vary somewhat in each different rifle.
One thing that can be done to at least partially mitigate the issue is to shoot the lighter than standard weight 22 LR ammo. The Hi-speed and Hyper velocity 22 LR ammo should shoot more accurately in a 22 Long chambered barrel.
Buy Clean-22 Hyper Velocity 22 Long Rifle Ammo 31 | 954CC (cci-ammunition.com)
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
One has to be aware of bullets that are not of the traditional 40 grain round nose configuration in the 1890’s. I’ve run into issues with some of the truncated cone varieties being just a tad too long to allow the carrier to come up. Some of the lighter bullet weights may be just a tad short which will lead to the problem of “double feed” where the next cartridge in line goes slightly into the carrier resulting in a jam. One can use a thin spacer made from a pencil eraser or dowel rod placed (with a drop of adhesive) in the rear of the carrier to cure the short cartridge syndrome. Or one can cure most of the dilemma’s by replacing the existing carrier with one from a 1906 or 62 that has the built in shell stop which will allow you to shoot anything
Erin
Erin Grivicich said
Or one can cure most of the dilemma’s by replacing the existing carrier with one from a 1906 or 62 that has the built in shell stop which will allow you to shoot anythingErin
That’s a really good idea.
Thanks guys for the replies. I was just curious as to how accuracy is actually affected. I hear this said quite a bit but have yet to see someone who’s actually documented it or even had their own experience.
I understand I can swap the carrier and I do have an extra carrier. I also have about 1k rounds of 22 Long. Just wanted to see what the practical applicaton has been.
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