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ssdave
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Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Feb 2nd, 2013 at 12:13am
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Got an interesting problem, not complaining, it's a good problem to have.

I got a Hepburn today.  .45-70 31 inch half octagon barrel, original finish on metal down to very little remaining but absolutely no rust, defects or pitting.  Numbers on buttplate, barrel and receiver match.  Fair bore, about 7 out of 10, should shoot okay but not be a target gun ever.  Has roughness and some light pitting near chamber.  Action functions flawlessly, no defects.  It was in a fire, the wood is burned beyond repair.  No marks on the metal, it didn't get very hot.  Wood is charred in a few spots to about 1/4" depth.  A bit of bondo and some reshaping would make a good duplicator pattern, but that's about it.

Okay:  3 possibilities.

1)  Fit new wood to it and have a semi-original gun to resell, because I don't need or want it as is.  Will be semi-original, but every collector will say "too bad they replaced the wood, it's worth less than if they hadn't wasted the money and effort on new wood."

2)  Take out the barrel, sell it and the buttplate on ebay for top $, rebarrel it to something I want, make custom wood with a shotgun butt and have a great rifle for low cost that has no aspect of originality left.  The barrel and buttplate on ebay will pay most if not all of a custom barrel fitted to the action.

3)  Leave the barrel in, reline to something useful, make custom wood with a shotgun butt and have a great rifle for low cost that has matching barrel and action #, but is a rebuilt/relined gun.   

Anybody have an opinion or a different option I haven't thought of?

dave
  
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frnkeore
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #1 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 12:35am
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"2)  Take out the barrel, sell it and the buttplate on ebay for top $, rebarrel it to something I want, make custom wood with a shotgun butt and have a great rifle for low cost that has no aspect of originality left.  The barrel and buttplate on ebay will pay most if not all of a custom barrel fitted to the action".

I kinda think you've answered your on question and as a shooter it's what I'd do.

Frank
  

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Walter  Matera
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #2 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 12:44am
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I like #3, myself.  Having a caliber you want in a matching barrel and action is pretty appealing . . . 

Even if it does have a new stock.  Hell, I've got a 1909 Jeffery SLE with 2 1/2" chambers.  It's been sleeved.  The only way you can tell is that is mark underneath but do I care?  Hell, it's a superb bird gun.  That's all that counts.
  
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rustyrelx
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #3 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 4:43am
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Origional buttstocks do turn up every once in awhile.You could go that route.
  
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digitall423
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #4 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 6:36am
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Go with option #3 then if original wood turns up you are good to go. Just my two copper plated zinc pennys worth.
Bill
  
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #5 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 12:38pm
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I have an original stock set. If you're interested PM me. 

   Joe.  Smiley
  

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kootne
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #6 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 1:25pm
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What is it worth to you as is? post that price. (I know that's not as fun but it's a whole lot less energy expended) do you need any 308 match ammo? I've got a bunch but would rather have an orphan Hepburn.
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SSShooter
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #7 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 5:31pm
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Will also vote for #3 as that is exactly what I did with a 45-70 Hepburn I recently acquired. Relined to a lighter caliber (John Taylor with TJ liner). But, went full out with it and not only new 3x wood w/shotgun butt (CPA with finish work by Millard Hixson), but engraved and case-coloring (Dale Woody). Should have back in my hands for some shooting by mid-spring. Some good ideas and pic's over here: 
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JLouis
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #8 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 8:36pm
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It would make into a dandy Schuetzen / Target rifle.

J.Louis
  

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ssdave
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #9 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 10:58pm
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Joe,

I'll send you a PM on the original wood, not sure that's what I'd like to do, I like rifles with perfect barrels, but would be a shame not to put this one back right.  I have other Hepburn actions I could build on if I did that.

SSS,  Saw your thread, you did a nice rebuild on that rifle, will be a real pleasure to own and shoot!   

John L, would make a real nice rifle for a lot of disciplines, from BPCR to Schuetzen to prairie dog hunting.  That's why I'm leaning to number 2 option, rebarrel and rebuild.  I have only one rifle that I use that doesn't have a perfect bore.  I don't have a lot of interest in rifles with pie plate accuracy.  There's nothing wrong with this barrel, really.  Doesn't deserve a reline, it would make a fair shooter as it is, just not target accuracy.  So,  should pass it on to someone who will use it and put a new tube on.  Then comes the question, what caliber?  There is absolutely no opportunity for Schuetzen where I live within the range I can readily travel.  And, no place to practice locally.  I have a Helm schuetzen high wall in .32-40 that I've never bothered to shoot, although I've cast bullets for it and have cases.  At the 100 yard range available to me, I shoot my .22 instead.  And, have .25-20, .38-55, .38-72, .40-70SS, .45-70, .45-90, .50-70, and .50-110 target rifles already.

So, what is interesting?  I have a heavy, long .270 barrel to make a .270 REN schuetzen.  But, was planning on a falling blocks work Model J for it; already made the stock.  Have a 16 pound .40 cal octagon barrel, but was planning a special buffalo era rolling block for it, already welded up a receiver for the heavy barrel.  I'm thinking another .38-55  chambered identically to my wifes rifle, so that we can share ammo.  In the forseeable future, that would be one of the most useful things I could do.  Have to call around and see if I can get a good fast twist barrel from someone.

dave
  
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JLouis
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Re: Hepburn .45-70 dilemna
Reply #10 - Feb 2nd, 2013 at 11:50pm
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Dave the 219 Donaldson Wasp would be an extremely accurate and interesting cartridge. Shooting bug holes at your 100yd. range would make for some fun times and if you have any little ones in the family it would be something they could enjoy as well.

J.Louis
  

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