OT-Winchester Model 43 Info Needed
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Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
OT-Winchester Model 43 Info Needed
I recently got a Model 43 Winchester in a trade. It was a .22 Hornet with pretty much the worst barrel I've ever seen and an egg shaped chamber. We tried re-chambering to K-Hornet but the chamber is still egg shaped.
I want to re-barrel (but hang onto the original) but need info as to what they were originally chambered in. It appears that a whole bunch of chamberings besides the originals are possible but I'd like a little more info before doing any work. My Madis book doesn't have it listed so I'm at a loss for info. I'm searching the internet but so far no luck.
Help ... Please.
I want to re-barrel (but hang onto the original) but need info as to what they were originally chambered in. It appears that a whole bunch of chamberings besides the originals are possible but I'd like a little more info before doing any work. My Madis book doesn't have it listed so I'm at a loss for info. I'm searching the internet but so far no luck.
Help ... Please.
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- Levergunner 3.0
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The barrel is worse than a hundred year old sewer pipe inside and it shoots like one. That's why it didn't get changed to a Bee. Also, we had the K-Hornet reamer. My thoughts center around a new barrel and a K-Hornet chamber since I have a magazine already and I had a K once and loved it ... of course I sold it.
Another thought came to mind. We have a .32 H&R reamer at the shop and I have an almost new .30-30 Win 94 barrel ... A nice 16 1/4 inch barreled carbine would be nice with maybe stocked to the muzzle. I just checked and I could use an aftermarket Hornet magazine (wouldn't want to bugger up the original).
Just some thinking/dreaming time on a rainy afternoon.
Just some thinking/dreaming time on a rainy afternoon.
I don't know what the 32 Mag is for pressure, but the 43 action isn't overly built. Load it down a little or shoot 32 Longs and shorts out of it shouldn't hurt anything though.oldgerboy wrote:Another thought came to mind. We have a .32 H&R reamer at the shop and I have an almost new .30-30 Win 94 barrel ... A nice 16 1/4 inch barreled carbine would be nice with maybe stocked to the muzzle. I just checked and I could use an aftermarket Hornet magazine (wouldn't want to bugger up the original).
Just some thinking/dreaming time on a rainy afternoon.
Is the bolt face for the hornet still large enough for the bigger cases too?
Byron
The Winchester model 43 was manufactured in 4 calibers. .22 Hornet,.218 Bee. 25-20WCF,32-20WCF. I have all 4 calibers. The action will develop head space on hot loads in .22 Hornet and 218 Bee. If you load down near the starting loads you should have no problems. Every now and then a barrel will show up on Gunbroker. The head space can be corrected by disassembiling the bolt and making the correct size shim to fit between the 2 parts. I have shot many a groundhog with my .22 Hornet with no problems. If you rechamber to 218 Bee or 25-20,32-20 you will need the clip for those rounds. Also the front of the bolt is unique to the .22 Hornet,218 Bee,25-20,32-20 are all based on the same case,so bolt and clip are the same. Hope this helps.
David S
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- Levergunner 3.0
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I thank everyone for their comments. I enjoy my rainy day dreaming especially when there is a basis for it. The Hornet or rather K-Hornet are coming to the forefront of choices as my favorites. I was leaning to the K and with what DavidS said, it makes sense to go that way because it would reduce back thrust and chance of headspace problems down the line. The barrel would not be original so caliber would not be an issue to me.
I will keep tabs on the auction sites for a fe weeks and see what shows up.
Thanks all, Gerry
I will keep tabs on the auction sites for a fe weeks and see what shows up.
Thanks all, Gerry
There are 2 locking lugs on the model 43 Winchester. The bolt handle is one and there is a small lug oposite the bolt handle,with a machined cut in the receiver for it. The problem is that the far lug should have been larger and since it locked up from the rear a stout load in 22 Hornet or 218 Bee would set the front part of the bolt back over time resulting in excessive head space. If you keep your reloads at or near a starting load you should have no problems. The 25-20 and 32-20 run at lower pressures and have not seemed to be a problem in the 43 action.
David S