Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
Hello, all.
Looking for someone with some expertise on these little rifles.
Found this chart on line:
I bought a Model 25 from Intersurplus last week (thanks, mes amis!) that's had an interesting history. She would have left the factory as a 32-20 some time between 1908 and 1925. Since then, some clever fellow rebored and rechambered it in 9.3x57R / .360, quite a lot more calibre than she was built to run with from the factory. From what I can tell, that cartridge is something akin to 38-55. So here's my dillemma:
- From birth, she was proofed to fire 32-20, which works at 16000 CUP.
- The rechambering to 9.3x57R / .360 would have run a lot higher than that.
- 38-55 - a calibre I currently shoot and have supplies for, and which I'm entertaining rechambering this rifle in if possible, runs quite a lot higher than 32-20 as well - SAAMI says 30,000 CUP. I am more than hesitant to double the working chamber pressure in a nearly-hundred-year-old gun.
- However, Husqvarna built a similar (identical?) rifle and chambered it in 30-30. Folks have been shooting those for years with zero issues.
I have no interest in dumping a bunch of money into a rifle that turns out to be a pipe bomb. But is this a legit concern? Are the Model 25 and the Model 35 actually identical? Heat treating the same? Nothing was "beefed up" in the #35 to help in endure nearly double the pressure of the #25? Remember, the thing locks up on the base of the bolt handle. It's a big sturdy looking thing, but I like my eyes and hope to continue using them a while. I am beyond wary about this.
If the 38-55 rechamber is unwise, I'd gear way back and shoot .38 Special in it. That runs at 18K CUP, much closer to what the gun was designed for. Hoping it doesn't come to that, though - a fresh barrel won't be cheap, and I really like the one it has.
For reference - the Model 35 in 30-30:
...a Model 25 in 32-20:
...and, for laughs, a Model 45 in 45-70:
Can you see a difference? I can't. Not seeing any evident "beefing up" of any surfaces or sturdier looking structures. I'm guessing they're identical, but this isn't a realm of human endeavour that richly rewards guessing...
Do any of you have any experience with these old girls?
Looking for someone with some expertise on these little rifles.
Found this chart on line:
I bought a Model 25 from Intersurplus last week (thanks, mes amis!) that's had an interesting history. She would have left the factory as a 32-20 some time between 1908 and 1925. Since then, some clever fellow rebored and rechambered it in 9.3x57R / .360, quite a lot more calibre than she was built to run with from the factory. From what I can tell, that cartridge is something akin to 38-55. So here's my dillemma:
- From birth, she was proofed to fire 32-20, which works at 16000 CUP.
- The rechambering to 9.3x57R / .360 would have run a lot higher than that.
- 38-55 - a calibre I currently shoot and have supplies for, and which I'm entertaining rechambering this rifle in if possible, runs quite a lot higher than 32-20 as well - SAAMI says 30,000 CUP. I am more than hesitant to double the working chamber pressure in a nearly-hundred-year-old gun.
- However, Husqvarna built a similar (identical?) rifle and chambered it in 30-30. Folks have been shooting those for years with zero issues.
I have no interest in dumping a bunch of money into a rifle that turns out to be a pipe bomb. But is this a legit concern? Are the Model 25 and the Model 35 actually identical? Heat treating the same? Nothing was "beefed up" in the #35 to help in endure nearly double the pressure of the #25? Remember, the thing locks up on the base of the bolt handle. It's a big sturdy looking thing, but I like my eyes and hope to continue using them a while. I am beyond wary about this.
If the 38-55 rechamber is unwise, I'd gear way back and shoot .38 Special in it. That runs at 18K CUP, much closer to what the gun was designed for. Hoping it doesn't come to that, though - a fresh barrel won't be cheap, and I really like the one it has.
For reference - the Model 35 in 30-30:
...a Model 25 in 32-20:
...and, for laughs, a Model 45 in 45-70:
Can you see a difference? I can't. Not seeing any evident "beefing up" of any surfaces or sturdier looking structures. I'm guessing they're identical, but this isn't a realm of human endeavour that richly rewards guessing...
Do any of you have any experience with these old girls?
