Fools errand?

[Oldschool shooter]

I have a Sears 30-30. It is a Winchester 94 with Sears markings. Was thinking of rebarreling to 38-55. Was wondering if it could be rebarreled to 40-65? What issues would I be looking at with either one of these conversions?

 

[Jim Watson]

.38-55 actually predates .30-30 in Win 1894. Not likely much trouble to rebarrel.

.40-65 is in .45-70 family, too big.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Would that require a new barrel tube orcould I use the same tube?

 

[Varminterror]

It would take mag tube, barrel, carrier, receiver modification, lockwork rework.... overall too much work and would undermine the integrity of the action... fool’s errand.

.38-55 or leave it alone.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Ok, so 40-65 is out. If I go with 38-55, will Ineed anything else aside from a forearm and barrel band?

 

[Varminterror]

.38-55 is just a barrel and some carrier tweaking to feed.

 

[mustanger98]

IIRC, the .38-55 case was the origin of the .30WCF (aka .30-30) and .375Winchester. The .38-55 is a little longer C.O.L. It sounds like a reasonable idea, but I don't know if the .38-55 will reliably feed through the action.

Just asking... is the .30-30 barrel showing problems or do you just want a bigger bore?

Just another thought that ties in here... Winchester did make the '94 BigBore in .375Win. Last time I saw one of those, the prices had topped $800.

 

[Bushpilot]

What issues would I be looking at with either one of these conversions?

Honestly, even the 38-55 conversion is more trouble and expense than it's worth. You would be money ahead to sell your rifle and buy another in the caliber that you want, especially if you consider what your future resale values would be on your conversion vs an original rifle.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Just wanting something different, Mustanger98. I have a couple other 94's, Winchesters. While the gun I would be converting has some value, not as much being it has the Sears name on it.

 

[Gordon]

have it rebored and minor lifter tweaking as allready noted but ne prepared to spend at least $400 time it's finished

 

[mustanger98]

Just wanting something different, Mustanger98. I have a couple other 94's, Winchesters. While the gun I would be converting has some value, not as much being it has the Sears name on it.

I know what you're saying here... my question has more to do with the .38-55's overall length feeding through the standard '94 action, vs not knowing particulars on the '94 BigBore action. Bushpilot is counting money moreso than I am, not that I don't get his comment too. You might compare the cost of the conversion with the current prices of BigBores. It may tell you more than we can this quick.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know what may have been changed between 1894 and J.C. Higgins - or is it a Ted Williams?- but .38-55 was one of the original rounds in the 1894 while they took another year to work out the smokeless loads for .30-30.

A google found that you will likely have to replace the cartridge guides for the straight case. .38-55 guides aren't common but .375s are.
Read about several at
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/archive/index.php/t-33045.html

 

[Gordon]

32-40, .32 Special and 38-55 feed thru model 94s with only a slight relieving of the lifter feed ramp for the broader calibers.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

have it rebored and minor lifter tweaking as allready noted but ne prepared to spend at least $400 time it's finished

Need to look into a Green Mountain barrel, Numrich sells a 20" new manufactured barrel for$150.

 

[mustanger98]

I know MidwayUSA has Wheeler Engineering's barrel vise... I haven't noticed if they have the action wrench for the '94. Then there's the .38-55 go/no-go gauges... last I looked, the Forster gauges were $30/each.

Between the barrel and those tools, you're probably out the door for $350-400. Dunno, down the road, you might even at least get your money back out of the tools.

Depending on how much the Sears '94 cost, this might even be less expensive than a '94 BigBore.