Dennis, could you tell us if this was a small shank barrel? I know Winchester made some quantity of Small shank barrel actions with the Octagon top during the first year of Manufacture. I have one that is serial #800. I bought it as a Woodchuck rifle in .222 Ramiongton caliber. Could not make shoot worth a damm. Unusual for .222. When I disassembled it I discovered just barely legible .22 Hornet under the forend and nearly buffed out of visibilty. I built a 30-30 out of it and then became aware of the inherent weakness of this combination and so have refraned from shooting it. Have recently come into a .22 WCF barrel with small shank and intend to fit it up to this action. Regards, FITZ.
