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Post by Encore64 on Feb 23, 2023 15:29:14 GMT -5
Just got off the phone with Jack. Following the S&W 29 Restoration he's finishing up for me will be a rare (for me) custom rifle project.
Years ago, I picked up a #3 that had been rebarreled. It wasn't a great job, so I got it cheap.
The action and wood are in excellent condition. I've always dreamed of a custom rifle on it.
While most go for the big boomers, I decided to go small. The 25-20 WCF just seems a natural fit in this gun.
I'm thinking 24" with an upgraded rail or mount for this one.
I've killed lots of game with the old 25-20 WCF loaded to modern ballistics, both here and Africa in 2018.
Any comments, suggestions or ideas will be appreciated before I ship this barreled action to Jack...
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Post by bigbrowndog on Feb 23, 2023 15:37:01 GMT -5
25-20 Winchester or 25-20 single shot??? One is relatively easy to find brass for the other extremely difficult as there is no parent case…….disregard I just saw the WCF reference
Trapr
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 23, 2023 15:45:47 GMT -5
25-20 Winchester or 25-20 single shot??? One is relatively easy to find brass for the other extremely difficult as there is no parent case…….disregard I just saw the WCF reference Trapr No problem and legitimate question... |
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Post by bushog on Feb 23, 2023 15:53:37 GMT -5
I've been dreaming of a .32-20 on a 1885 Low Wall, probably a Browning...
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 23, 2023 16:12:18 GMT -5
Caliber choice is never easy on stuff like this...
My final choices came down to 25-20 or 32-20. I even greatly considered the 32 Long or 32 Magnum. I still think either would be a great choice.
I got to see a beautiful Ruger #1 in 32 Long years ago. Guy said it was his favorite rifle and deadly on small game without much noise...
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Post by bushog on Feb 23, 2023 17:15:06 GMT -5
Caliber choice is never easy on stuff like this... My final choices came down to 25-20 or 32-20. I even greatly considered the 32 Long or 32 Magnum. I still think either would be a great choice. I got to see a beautiful Ruger #1 in 32 Long years ago. Guy said it was his favorite rifle and deadly on small game without much noise... That .32 long is rook material no? |
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 23, 2023 17:17:51 GMT -5
Yes Sir!!! All those I listed are. The 25-20 Case needs very few alterations to be used in the old 255 Jeffery Rook.
The 327 Federal is a dead ringer for the 300 Rook.
Seems we keep coming back to that "Nothing New Under The Sun" thing...
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 23, 2023 19:08:44 GMT -5
To address Bigbrowndog's well taken point...
There was a 25-20 Single Shot that preceeded the 25-20 WCF. To further complicate this, there was also a 25-20 Marlin.
Today, only the 25-20 WCF is a feasible option. Cases can be hard to find, but I have a lifetime supply.
Bullets range from 55 to 86 grain. Handloads can produce sedate loads rivaling the 22 LR to nearly 2400 fps with a 75 grn in a modern rifle.
Cast Bullets are as at home as jacketed in this vintage round.
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Post by potatojudge on Feb 24, 2023 1:48:44 GMT -5
10 twist? 12?
Be nice to keep the weight down with a slim barrel profile. Personal preference. No clue what an optimal length is for the round.
Iron sights with QR scope mount would be welcome also (coolest would be to splurge on claw or swing mount, but $$$).
25-20 or any of a couple dozen similar little rounds would be fun. Go for it.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 24, 2023 4:41:46 GMT -5
Definitely a 1-10" Twist Barrel. It's hard to over stabilize a bullet and the velocity of the 25-20 is not going to cause a bullet to shed its jacket.
I'm researching scope mounts, but will be of a more traditional style.
Barrel length will be 22-24". Profile on a Ruger #3 will be similar to factory due to the forearm and barrel band.
I do agree the number of cartridges suitable for this project are vast. But, in the end, you have to pick one.
Since Jack previously built me a 25-20 Single Six, it seems logical to build a rifle/pistol combo...
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brant
.30 Stingray
Posts: 472
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Post by brant on Feb 25, 2023 0:32:20 GMT -5
Destined to be a favorite, I am sure.
The 32 long was mentioned before. The very first contender I ever laid eyes on, held, or shot was a .32 long. The old codger that owned it made a functional, yet ugly butt stock from a piece of firewood. The barrel was well under the legal 16” to be used with the stock but I don’t remember what it was. Probably more like 12”. It was his only gun and he killed many bags of small game with it, a deer or 2, as well as a bunch of buffalo when he could find them in water that he new for sure was shallow enough to wade in.
I didn’t know what a Rook rifle was then.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 25, 2023 7:28:50 GMT -5
Thanks Brant. You live close enough to me to understand small game rifles are very useful.
I've got two TC Contender Rifle Barrels and two Pistol Barrels in 25-20. One of each will be set up strictly for cast bullets in the future.
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Post by sixshot on Feb 25, 2023 13:04:58 GMT -5
I have a 25/20 TC barrel coming from MGM in a few days (15") just for spring Rock Chucks & longer distance Ground Squirrels. I'll be using 2 different cast bullets in it. Pretty sure both will get the job done quite nicely. The old #257420 at 74 grs is a proven winner & I also have a Miha HP at about 65 grs that should do great as well.
Dick
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Post by williamiorg on Feb 25, 2023 13:47:58 GMT -5
I got to see a beautiful Ruger #1 in 32 Long years ago. Guy said it was his favorite rifle and deadly on small game without much noise...
[/quote]
Was that V. E. Megee in Texas? I was familiar with his writing on the small game rifles prior to his article on his No. 1. Megee and Seyfried got me interested in .32 Long and Magnum rifles.
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 25, 2023 16:55:17 GMT -5
The Rifle was in Dallas Texas at a gun show. Wasn't for sale, just a display of fine single shot rifles.
For the "Every Day Joe," the Henry Steel Lever Action in 327 Federal is hard to beat...
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