We find ourselves up in rarefied air with the acquisition these one-of-a-kind proof barrels. Having served their initial purpose at Winchester, we saw the potential for collectors of firearms history to own a perfect conversation piece! While these are not designed with the intent of turning them into barrels for a working firearm, there looks to be a wide range of uses for them; several of our DIY customers out there have already used them for making light fixtures, machining & milling parts and gearing, and so much more!
What can you do with one?
Send us your pics of what you've created with these proof barrels and we’ll post them for the world to see!
What We Know
Used to test barrels for accuracy, velocity, pressure testing, and according to special requirements for twist, length, calibers, etc.
- Velocity Test Barrels — for measurement and testing of ammunition velocities
- Pressure Test Barrels — for measurement of Pressure in the Cartridge or Case Mouth
- Accuracy Test Barrels — for measurement and analysis of ammunition accuracy
Specifications
- Rifle ballistic test barrels
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Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
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Condition: Used
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Caliber Range: 7mm-08 Rem to .458 Win Mag — not all calibers are present
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Date Range: 1943 thru 1996 — not all years are present
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Markings: Caliber & Date will vary (very few have no markings)
- Please Note: No hand-selection available at this time for this item
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Safety: Not designed to be mounted to a firearm
Winchester Proof Steel
Winchester Proof Steel has the tensile strength of 115,000 to 120,000 psi and the elastic limit of 105,000 psi. This was more than twice the strength of the usual barrel steel when it was developed.1
Winchester’s definitive proof system of expressing that the barrel met the existing standard meant that the firearm was so marked subsequent to its passing tests utilizing a heavy proof load — "Violent Proof" loads were fifty percent greater than the normal powder charge.1
How Winchester Barrels Are Tested — A quote from the Winchester Catalog — first appearance November 1897 catalog No. 60 2
"Gun makers agree that the most difficult part of a gun to make is the barrel. To do so successfully, requires a thorough knowledge of the subject, skilled experts, delicate and exact machinery, and a comprehensive system of tests. The system by which Winchester barrels are made has made them famous all over the world for their accuracy and strength. When a Winchester barrel has been "rough" bored, as the first boring is called, it is proved for strength — soft steel barrels for black powder and low pressure smokeless powders by the English Government proof system, and nickel steel barrels for smokeless powder with a system of smokeless powder proof. All barrels are proved with either of the above systems except .22 caliber. The proof is made as follows: A soft steel barrel is locked to a firing table, loaded with a charge of powder and lead twice as great as intended to be put into the shell the barrel is to be chambered for, and fired. The nickel steel barrels are similarly tested, being subjected to a pressure 30 percent in excess of pressure developed by the cartridge the barrel is intended to be chambered for. After proof firing, a barrel is carefully inspected and if it shows the slightest sign of strain, or imperfection, it is condemned. A barrel that passes the proof is next straightened, and then given the second or "finish" boring. It is then straightened again, after which it is subjected to what is known as the "Winchester" or "Lead" test, which never fails to disclose any irregularity in the interior of a barrel. This test is repeated after the barrel is rifled for the purpose of detecting any possible disturbance of the bore during the latter process.” 2
1 https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/the-winchester-wp-and-oval-p-markings
2 Bert Hartman 08/28/2015
