Would like to convert a 25 rim fire to ?

36forme · December 29, 2013, 07:30 PM

I have a Hopkins and Allen falling block 25 cal rim fire. Is there any other caliber I could convert to other than 22 cal.? I would like to reload my own ammo.

Jim Watson · December 29, 2013, 07:45 PM

Frank DeHaas thought it would handle .38 Special.

I'd be more comfortable at .32. A .32 S&W Long would be an interesting project.

Of course you have either gun smithing equipment and skill or a large budget. It would not be a small job.

36forme · December 29, 2013, 10:27 PM

I never thought about 38, I can reload 38 colt. I do have some equipment it would be a interesting protect.
I'm sure I can get some more input here pro and con.

Scorch · December 30, 2013, 05:56 PM

Try 32 Long or 32 ACP if you just gotta have a centerfire. Most go with 22 because the breechbolt for the rifle is rim-fire and they can avoid the cost and hassle of converting the firing pin to center-fire.

Jim Watson · December 30, 2013, 07:23 PM

Will a .25 RF firing pin reach in to a .22 RF rim without alteration?

James K · December 30, 2013, 10:21 PM

I think it would be easier to get a barrel liner for .32 S&W (.32-20) than for .38 Special. That gun should take .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long with no problems. Converting the firing pin and extractor to the .32 CF should not be a problem; gunsmiths have been doing things like that for years.

Jim

Jim Watson · December 30, 2013, 10:38 PM

.32 S&W (.32-20) indicating what?
You can have either but not both.

FrankenMauser · December 31, 2013, 12:06 AM

Quote:

.32 S&W (.32-20) indicating what?
You can have either but not both.

Ah, but you can have both.
Most .312" barrel liners are sold under the pretense of being used with .32-20 (rather than other cartridges with groove diameters larger than .312", like .32 Winchester Special [which is actually 8mm]).
He was simply providing additional information, indicating that a barrel liner for .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long (both .312") might be called a ".32-20" barrel liner.

Clark · December 31, 2013, 05:33 PM

This one minute video of Larry Potterfield with his rimfire to center fire conversion is interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8SK0Jr01yM#t=2

dwwhite · December 31, 2013, 05:50 PM

Assuming the original bore is in good shape, and you're willing to convert to centerfire...

Is there a reason you couldn't convert to .25-20?

Seems to me that converting the firing pin and running a .25-20 reamer into the chamber would be one of the easiest and lowest cost solutions.

Also, black powder level loads shouldn't overly stress an action originally designed for low power rim fire rounds.

BillM · December 31, 2013, 06:27 PM

25 ACP? I've wondered how that would do in a rifle.

25-20 is a possibility. Same case diameter as 32-20.

I've heard of converting the firing pin and using 22 hornet
cut down to 25 RF dimensions and loaded with a 25 bullet.

36forme · December 31, 2013, 07:13 PM

Because of the barrel liner the 32/20 has my attention. The input is really helping to decide which way to go.

James K · December 31, 2013, 08:07 PM

Sorry for not being clear on what I meant on ".32 (.32-20)"; FrankenMauser has expressed my meaning better than I did.

Because so many liners are sold for use on old Winchester rifles, they often are designated as being for .25-20, .32-20, 38-40 and .44-40. I meant that a liner designated for .32-20 would work for .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long.

Jim

Clark · January 1, 2014, 01:28 PM

Quote:

BillM
25 ACP? I've wondered how that would do in a rifle.

Rifles are .257" groove, pistols .251".

This has thwarted many experiments I would like to perform.
Redman was making 25 cal barrel liners for a while. They may exist as new old stock in places.

The biggest problem I have with 25acp pistol testing is recoil.
It really hurts.
I need a more massive 25acp.
I could easily do that if the barrel material were available.
All I can find is short pistol barrels at Numrich.

36forme · January 9, 2014, 07:08 PM

Thank you all for your input. I have decided to convert to 32 S&W long. I have to make a new block because of the play and will make it center fire. I ordered a barrel liner to day from TJ's, Mike is very easy to talk to and very informative.
I have been away from firearms for a long time and it is fun to get excited about a project again.

gyvel · January 11, 2014, 12:21 PM

Would a .256 Winchester Magnum be too hot for this action?

36forme · January 11, 2014, 07:09 PM

Yes, .256 would be to hot. IMHO

gyvel · January 12, 2014, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Yes, .256 would be to hot. IMHO

I kinda thought that it might be.

wachtelhund1 · January 14, 2014, 12:10 PM

I would go with a 25-20 conversion, or if it is a single shot - .25 Stevens. The 25 stevens was used in single shot rifles and had a longer case than the 25-20.

dmanisgnarly · January 14, 2014, 02:24 PM

My grandpa couldnt get his hands on anymore 25 stevens a few years back so he made a few with reformed .22 hornet casings. I can ask him more details if you want.

36forme · January 16, 2014, 10:36 PM

The 25/20 was my first choice. The higher pressure over the 32 S&W long scared me away. I felt the chamber walls would be to thin as opposed to the S&W.
I am certainly no expert by any means, want to keep it safe.

December 29, 2013, 07:30 PM	#1
36forme Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 15	Would like to convert a 25 rim fire to ? I have a Hopkins and Allen falling block 25 cal rim fire. Is there any other caliber I could convert to other than 22 cal.? I would like to reload my own ammo.

December 30, 2013, 05:56 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Try 32 Long or 32 ACP if you just gotta have a centerfire. Most go with 22 because the breechbolt for the rifle is rim-fire and they can avoid the cost and hassle of converting the firing pin to center-fire. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 31, 2013, 05:33 PM	#9
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	This one minute video of Larry Potterfield with his rimfire to center fire conversion is interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8SK0Jr01yM#t=2 __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

January 9, 2014, 07:08 PM	#15
36forme Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 15	Thank for your input Thank you all for your input. I have decided to convert to 32 S&W long. I have to make a new block because of the play and will make it center fire. I ordered a barrel liner to day from TJ's, Mike is very easy to talk to and very informative. I have been away from firearms for a long time and it is fun to get excited about a project again.

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December 29, 2013, 07:45 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Frank DeHaas thought it would handle .38 Special. I'd be more comfortable at .32. A .32 S&W Long would be an interesting project. Of course you have either gun smithing equipment and skill or a large budget. It would not be a small job.

December 29, 2013, 10:27 PM	#3
36forme Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 15	I never thought about 38, I can reload 38 colt. I do have some equipment it would be a interesting protect. I'm sure I can get some more input here pro and con.

December 30, 2013, 07:23 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Will a .25 RF firing pin reach in to a .22 RF rim without alteration?

December 30, 2013, 10:21 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I think it would be easier to get a barrel liner for .32 S&W (.32-20) than for .38 Special. That gun should take .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long with no problems. Converting the firing pin and extractor to the .32 CF should not be a problem; gunsmiths have been doing things like that for years. Jim

December 30, 2013, 10:38 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	.32 S&W (.32-20) indicating what? You can have either but not both.

December 31, 2013, 05:50 PM	#10
dwwhite Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Southwest Tx Posts: 187	Assuming the original bore is in good shape, and you're willing to convert to centerfire... Is there a reason you couldn't convert to .25-20? Seems to me that converting the firing pin and running a .25-20 reamer into the chamber would be one of the easiest and lowest cost solutions. Also, black powder level loads shouldn't overly stress an action originally designed for low power rim fire rounds.

December 31, 2013, 06:27 PM	#11
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 791	25 ACP? I've wondered how that would do in a rifle. 25-20 is a possibility. Same case diameter as 32-20. I've heard of converting the firing pin and using 22 hornet cut down to 25 RF dimensions and loaded with a 25 bullet.

December 31, 2013, 07:13 PM	#12
36forme Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 15	Because of the barrel liner the 32/20 has my attention. The input is really helping to decide which way to go.

December 31, 2013, 08:07 PM	#13
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Sorry for not being clear on what I meant on ".32 (.32-20)"; FrankenMauser has expressed my meaning better than I did. Because so many liners are sold for use on old Winchester rifles, they often are designated as being for .25-20, .32-20, 38-40 and .44-40. I meant that a liner designated for .32-20 would work for .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long. Jim

January 11, 2014, 12:21 PM	#16
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Would a .256 Winchester Magnum be too hot for this action?

January 11, 2014, 07:09 PM	#17
36forme Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 15	Yes, .256 would be to hot. IMHO

January 14, 2014, 12:10 PM	#19
wachtelhund1 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2007 Location: pelican lake, WI Posts: 413	I would go with a 25-20 conversion, or if it is a single shot - .25 Stevens. The 25 stevens was used in single shot rifles and had a longer case than the 25-20.

January 14, 2014, 02:24 PM	#20
dmanisgnarly Member Join Date: December 31, 2013 Posts: 28	My grandpa couldnt get his hands on anymore 25 stevens a few years back so he made a few with reformed .22 hornet casings. I can ask him more details if you want.

January 16, 2014, 10:36 PM	#21
36forme Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 15	The 25/20 was my first choice. The higher pressure over the 32 S&W long scared me away. I felt the chamber walls would be to thin as opposed to the S&W. I am certainly no expert by any means, want to keep it safe.