Relining a .32-20 - bore size options?

[AJMD429]

I have an original Marlin 1889 in .32-20 that is really pitted and am considering having it relined, though I realize I still would have to keep the loads reasonably tame.

It is my understanding that the Ruger Blackhawk conversions are .308", and I know that the Encore barrel I was considering was .308", and (I need to slug the barrel and check, but) I was told the Marlin 1894-CL .32-20's made in the 1980's are .308" barrels. Since I have an 1894-CL and a Ruger Buckeye Conversion, I was wondering if it would be simpler to have the older gun relined with a .308" barrel instead of a .312" barrel, bullet-size-wise.

Thoughts...?

[Cast Bullet Hunter]

Why don't you slug the bore of the Marlin and find out what it really is instead of basing a decision on "what you think you heard"?

[Malamute]

If that's the case, it may be simpler to line to that diameter. It's also likely you could find a 30 cal takeoff barrel for free or next to it and turn it down into a liner.

[Charles]

If I were going to reline a 32-20 levergun, I would go with the .308 liner. That would give a great selection of rifling twists, bullets and bullet molds. I would not want a twist faster than 1-12 and 1-14 would probably be best.

[jnyork]

Just a thought, what's going to happen to some future owner when he tries to shoot a .312 or .313 bullet in that gun, not knowing that it has been relined for .308?

Just me, but I think I would go with the original bore diameter.

[jdad]

My 1894CL shoots .312 jacketed and .313 lead without any problems. In fact, Marlin told me they used factory 32-20 ammo, to test fire the rifles.

[Tycer]

I pondered that and went with .312

[Sixgun]

Doc,
Original Winchester barrels in 32-20 were 1-20 twist, Colts were 1-24, and Marlin made theirs in 1-23. There's no reason to go faster than this. Tell the guy you want a .311 diameter with a 1-20 twist. They make 'em. By staying with .311, factory ammo will be fine and you won't have to deal with special reloading dies.

This is information I got out of a turn of the century Ideal catalog. They knew what they were doing then. In dozens of original 32-20's, I never had an accuracy problem with any 32-20, as long as the bore condition was OK.---------------------------------------------------------Sixgun

[cz93x62]

The 1989-made Marlin 94 CL I had and the 2004-made 94 CCL I have in 32-20 WCF both had .312" throats and .311" grooves. These dimensions and their 1-20" twist rates do fine work with the range of bullet weights this caliber and platform are at their best with--from 80-120 grains. There are a number of 32/20-specific bullets available to the handloader, and several bullet mouldmakers that can turn out moulds to service the caliber.

[AJMD429]

Sounds like .312 would be the way to go, even if my CL slugs .308, which I still need to check. That way I'd avoid the potential of someday using a hard bullet of .312 in a .308 bore, which evidently works ok or the 'modern' guns wouldn't be made .308, BUT that's the 'modern' guns and their higher strength steel. Surely it ups the pressure to shoot an 'oversize' bullet, even a regular lead one.

Now I just gotta find someone I trust with an irreplaceable family heirloom. . . or learn to do it myself. . .

[Sixgun]

Sounds like .312 would be the way to go, even if my CL slugs .308, which I still need to check. That way I'd avoid the potential of someday using a hard bullet of .312 in a .308 bore, which evidently works ok or the 'modern' guns wouldn't be made .308, BUT that's the 'modern' guns and their higher strength steel. Surely it ups the pressure to shoot an 'oversize' bullet, even a regular lead one.

Now I just gotta find someone I trust with an irreplaceable family heirloom. . . or learn to do it myself. . .

Doc,
A personal friend (OK, I don't see him all the time, but I do consider him a good guy and friend ) of mine is an excellent gunsmith and can do the job for about $300 or thereabouts (is that a word?) His turn-around time is a couple of months and he has done 3 rifles for me, all of which turned out perfect. You really have to look hard to see that it was relined.

Just google "Craig Rittenhouse of Tamaqua, Pa."-------------Sixgun

[Pop Watts]

I have an old 1892 with a badly worn and pitted barrel that slugged way big so I shoot .316 120 gn lead projectiles through it ( made for the 310 Martini Cadet ) and they work really well out of it - BUT when I accidentally shot one of the .316 rounds through an old 1894 Marlin with a very good bore I got one locked up lever gun and a lot of messing around to free it.

Two lessons learned were that a few thou make a big difference and to clearly mark all of my reloaded ammo.

Pop.

[gundownunder]

You could also consider relining to 25-20 or 218 Bee unless you have a particular reason for sticking to .32.
Remember that all 3 share the same case so a caliber change would be a piece of cake.

[AJMD429]

You could also consider relining to 25-20 or 218 Bee unless you have a particular reason for sticking to .32.
Remember that all 3 share the same case so a caliber change would be a piece of cake.

Now THAT throws an interesting twist to things...! I hadn't thought about that option, and I do like the .218 Bee (got one this summer that I haven't shot much yet, due to redoing my reloading area). Of course if a person has a .32-20 and a .218 Bee, then I suppose they should ALSO have a .25-20...

Probably keep it in .3-20 though, since it was the cartridge great grandpa shot in it.

[Tycer]

What a great pic!

[Don McDowell]

You might want to get ahold of Wyoming Armory in Cody Wy, and visit with them about the project. They do some excellent work and aren't excessively priced. Plus old guns (and the modern recreations) is their specialty.
There's another fella in North Dakota that does that specializes in barrel relining, but I can't find his add in the magazines right now.