I am in the process of getting this rifle built, been waiting over a year so far. It will be on a orginal winchester mdl 92 action with a 24 inch octagon barrel and full length magazine tube. Twist is 1 in 14. I went this route as I have a 32-20 didn't want to have the chance of mixing up brass. all I know about the barrel at this point is that it is .257 and nothing more as the smith is still making it into a octagon barrel for me. I plan on shooting mostly 65 and 80 grain lead bullets but have some copper bullets to try and see if I like them. Don't think for the cost I will use many. Now working up loads is where the fun stuff comes in as most manuals address only 65/68 grain loads and 85/88 grain loads. My question is can I use the beginning loads for the 85/88 grain loads as my starting point and be safe with my 80 grain bullets?? I don't have a clue as to what this rifle will like as it is all custom except the action which is or was orginal the last time I saw it. Yes I trust my smith as he is in his seventies and is a real knowledgeable person he has been a machinist for over 50 years and has been building, fixing, modifing firearms most of that time. You don't get repeat customers on custom stuff if you screw up. He has already built me a winchester big bore in .375 caliber with a 26 inch octagon barrel and full length magazine tube. It is on the heavy side but I like my rifles with long barrels. I have a new unfired orginal big bore that will get a work out when I get time to load up some CB into the brass. I am waiting for my 6 cavity mould to show up and hopefully before the year is over. The as cast size is .381 so will most likely size it down to .379 or .377 or maybe jsut shoot as cast the rifle will have to tell me what it likes then will have to see what the little brother likes and hope it is the same as they are both early made BB's. The custom one shoots factory stuff pretty good but I know I can get better with cast and will go that direction when I get some time. Hope this winter things slow down some so I can get my reloading done. Will change the open sights out just as soon as I figure what will work with my old eyes and give me what I want with accuracy. Next year with luck I get a new reloading room and work room. If someone wants to know what it costs to do this, you really need an understanding and loving wife to do this as yes they do cost a lot and are they worth it? To me yes and they will be the only custom guns built for me as they are way to expensive to do it again. Both calibers will see me through my shooting life and hopefully one of kids will take up dad's levers and shoot them all their lives. Don't think they will wear out shooting cast and keeping them clean.
thanks for the help and ideas.
Sorry for the long post but I am very excited about these two levers and can't wait to burn up some ammo with them. Yes I have 7 levers all long barrels except my 45-70 which only has a 22 inch barrel for now.