Jim McKee said
Hi!

I am interested in adding a second take down barrel assembly for my Winchester 1886 rifle currently in  .33 Winchester. In my state I can only hunt deer with a straight walled rifle cartridge. Interested in adding a 45-70 barreled action using a second take down barrel set I have.

My questions are:

Who is recommended to do this re-barreling?

How many grooves were used in Winchester 45-70 barrels?

What type of rifling?

Twist rate?

Thanks for any information!

Jim  

Jim – I am a bit confused.  You mention, “…adding a 45-70 barreled action…” If you did this, all you would need to do is add a wood and you would have another rifle.  Also, you mention, “…using a second take down barrel set I have.”  So, you already have two take down barrel sets? 

If it is the case you have just one take down rifle, and want to another take down barrel, would you want another complete front end (i.e. with forearm, magazine tube, take down ring, sights, etc.)?  I’m speculating the advice already posted on this thread – that you buy another complete .45-70 rifle – would be the way to go.  On very rare occasion, a take down front end comes up for sale.  Also, occasionally, one finds a rifle that is priced lower because the receiver is drilled and tapped yet the front end is fine.

If money is no object, we can proceed further with the questions you pose.  

Good luck with your project.  

Jim McKee said
Let me clarify

I have a second complete take down assembly that I an considering changing the barrel to a new 45-70 barrel to fit this take down assembly. This will give me an 1886  with two take down barreled assemblies (.33 Winchester and 45-70).

My questions are:

How many grooves were used in Winchester 1886 barrels?

What type of rifling?

Thanks for any information!

Jim

  

I can’t claim much knowledge on this point.  However, George Madis writes (The Winchester Book), “We find a great variety of rifling in the ’86 Model.  Rifling is of the six groove type, and nearly every caliber has a different twist, varying from one turn in twenty-two inches to one turn in twenty-eight inches.  Grooves vary in width; from fifty percent wider than lands to three times wider.”  

I’m sure others here will chime in with more information.

Thank you for the clarification on what you are doing.  It sounds like just need a barrel made up to suit your needs. I recall there used to be barrel makers who specialized in replacement Winchester barrels.  They would have all the needed information on type of rifling, etc.  I suspect if they are remain extant, there are members here who know about them.