Sleeving a Barrel, questions

[Californio]

Big Fan of the Winchester 1903 and Model 63, have one of each.

I found a Winchester 1903 factory chambered for the Winchester .22 auto, the barrel had been bored out and sleeved for .22 Long Rifle along with other work to make it Model 63ish. Most Model 1903's have 18" barrels and the Model 63's 23" barrels.

The converted 1903 is really nice and reblued with very nice wood.

The Gunsmith question, "How well would this gun shoot with a sleeve in it"?

I am not familiar with sleeving.

[kcstott]

Should shoot very close if not better then original depending on how well the sleeve was installed. But you'd have to really butcher a sleeve to screw it up.

[G-forceJunkie]

Putting a liner in a worn out rimfire is a common, and good way to save an otherwise useless gun. How well it shoots is up to the person installed it and cut the new chamber. Done right, you wouldn't know a repair had been done.

[redcliff]

Keep in mind that .22 Winchester auto has a rim diameter of .310 I believe while .22lr is .275. So extraction could possibly be an issue, as well as reliable ignition and functioning with the 03 bolt.

Thats one that would probably be nice to test fire before purchasing if possible.

[Gunsmith Dan]

Yea hard to screw it up if you know what you are doing.

You got 2 ways to test it if there is a problem.

First look down the barrel at the muzzle end with bore light on the other side. Does it look wavy or off center?? If it does then don't shoot it.

Second test is run a .22 call brass jag with a oiled patch on it to have a nice tight fit. Run the cleaning rod up and down the the barrel (don't push the jag out the other side) and see if there is spots that it binds or get really tight then loose once you push through. That also might be a not so straight barrel and not recommend you shoot it.

[Californio]

I did an internet search and those issues can be dealt with.

Keep in mind that .22 Winchester auto has a rim diameter of .310 I believe while .22lr is .275. So extraction could possibly be an issue, as well as reliable ignition and functioning with the 03 bolt.

Thats one that would probably be nice to test fire before purchasing if possible.

[Californio]

Thanks for all the feedback, I think I will make an offer contingent on a reliability test.

[george223]

I also have a Winchester 1903 along with a few boxes of Winchester 22 auto that I don't dare shoot. This rifle belonged to my grandfather. I always wondered if it was possible to convert this to 22lr. This post gives me some inspiration. OP, I sure would like to know how this turns out for you.