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jholp
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Old 1885 Low Wall
Sep 18th, 2013 at 10:09am
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I have acquired a Winchester 1885 Low Wall weapon with the serial numer of 7520, only 4 keystrokes ?  Some have said my gun was made around 1887.  It has the high wall block, sticking up high and not sculptured like most low wall blocks.
It was well used but still quite solid, the barrel was an old Springfield 22 barrel chambered for 218 Bee.  I got it to shoot quite well with Lil' Gun and Sierra 45 grain .223 bullets.
I have removed the barrel and installed a new Octagon in 357 magnum.  I am now reading that one should really rebarrel with original cartridges.  I understand Winchester 1885s could be had in 38 XL which is simply  the 357 lengthened past the 357 Maximum to 38 XL.  In order to obtain original chambering I want to deepen the chamber to the 38 XL.  Your thoughts ?
  
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JCHannum
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Re: Old 1885 Low Wall
Reply #1 - Sep 18th, 2013 at 10:38am
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Since the gun had already been rebarreled, it is no longer original, there is no reason to chamber it in any particular cartridge. The 357 magnum is a very flexible cartridge and is a good choice. A comparable larger cartridge could be loaded above the safe limits of this action.

Do check your breechblock to make sure it has been bushed and a properly fitted smokeless firing pin has been installed.
  

Jim H.
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BP
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Re: Old 1885 Low Wall
Reply #2 - Sep 18th, 2013 at 4:07pm
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Quote:
I understand Winchester 1885s could be had in 38 XL which is simply  the 357 lengthened past the 357 Maximum to 38 XL.  In order to obtain original chambering I want to deepen the chamber to the 38 XL.


WRA did offer the 38 XL chambering early on in the 1885 singleshot rifles. I believe the Ballard 38 XL cartridge used a 0.375+ diameter bullet, which is of course larger than the 357 Mag and Max bullet diameter.

  

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frnkeore
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Re: Old 1885 Low Wall
Reply #3 - Sep 18th, 2013 at 5:59pm
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I have a LW that I bought in about 1992. It was re-bored and chambered in 357 Mag on a 32 long barrel. I had it re-chambered to 357 Max after shooting it just a few times. It's still tight and has no signs of wear or cracks.

While I agree that a 357 Mag is a flexible cartridge, the 357 Max is even more flexible and with any bullet (PB, GC or Jacketed) , it will produce lower pressure for the same velocity. You can even make a small shot gun cartridge for it.

To head off critics of this convertion, remark the barrel "38XL" you might even add "for Black Powder Only"

A word of caution, should you re-chamber. Make sure the reamer has a throat for a rifle and not a revolver.

Frank
  

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JCHannum
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Re: Old 1885 Low Wall
Reply #4 - Sep 19th, 2013 at 10:04am
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The original poster's question is should he rechamber a rifle chambered in 357 magnum to 357 maximum in order to obtain an original chambering. Since the 38 extra long is a rimfire and utilizes a .375 bullet, the 357 maximum does not replicate it. 

While the 357 maximum might offer some advantages over the magnum, I see no compelling reason to rechamber simply in the interest of originality.
  

Jim H.
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jholp
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Re: Old 1885 Low Wall
Reply #5 - Sep 19th, 2013 at 2:33pm
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My research indicates that there were two 38XL cartridges, one a rimfire and the other a centerfire.

If I have the chamber deepend to 38XL centerfire I can shoot 38 special, 357 magnum, 357 maximun and 38XL.  My motive is to make the weapon as near orignal as possible by chambering and marking it with a cartridge it was possilbe to have back then.
  
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SSShooter
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Re: Old 1885 Low Wall
Reply #6 - Sep 19th, 2013 at 4:50pm
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Not sure I would put anything more powerful than a 38-20 in a Low Wall. Especially and old one.
  

Glenn - Stevens 044 1/2, Bartlein SS 5R barrel in 22LR
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