I have a friend who recently inherited a 1917 vintage 1894 Winchester (.30-30). It came with a bulged barrel and will need some work. Relining is the likely solution but the bulge may need to be adressed. Is this original barrel likely to be carbonia blued or rust blued? I recall (perhaps incorrectly), that Winchester changed from rust bluing to carbonia bluing at some point, but I don't know when.

Any clear favorite 'smiths for relining one of these?

Thanks,
Brent

I though I had found a gunsmith that had experience relining 30-30's and had him reline the barrel of my Winchester 94 commemorative, the result was not satisfactory because the chamber must of had a void between the barrel and the liner and after the first shot the chambered developed a bulge that made extraction very hard. I was lucky and found another barrel identical to the one on my rifle and I had the barrel replaced. I you find some one to reline your barrel make sure that they guarantee their work.

Re-bore and go with 38-55. Great caliber and good shooter.

Merlin wrote: Fri Oct 21, 2022 7:02 am Re-bore and go with 38-55. Great caliber and good shooter.

Been there, done that and was not satisfied. Ended up relining. But this time the rifle in question is not mine and there is a desire to keep it in the family configuration of .30-30.

It's an outside chance but you might want to check with Jack First in Rapid City, could be they may have a barrel from that generation in their parts inventory.

DonM wrote: Fri Oct 21, 2022 7:30 am It's an outside chance but you might want to check with Jack First in Rapid City, could be they may have a barrel from that generation in their parts inventory.

Thanks for that.
Brent

Another place is Wiseners? in Oregon sometimes has various parts for the older rifles.

The best is Mark Chandlynn, Rocky Mountain Rifle Works followed by John Taylor Machine. Both can be found using a Google search. I prefer Mark’s technique because he has deep boring barrel drills and he preserves the factory crown by not drilling it out. His work is perfection and the rifles he’s relined for me and my CLA friends have been superbly accurate. John Taylor does a great job as well but completely drills the barrel. Both have delivered ahead of promised timelines.