Finally reamed my cylinders

[soonerfan66]

Been shooting a lot with my cap and ball revolvers . Tried all the tricks for better accuracy powder charge , ball and conical size , with/without filler ect . But finally decided to try reaming them . I started with my 36 caliber s and got a 3/8 reamer . First up was the Pietta 1851 Colt Navy . It shot fair before and I had slugged the bore and checked the cylinders and new it was off some . Went from 5-6 inch groups off a rest at 50 feet to first 3 shots touching and next 2 touching about 1 inch apart . The 6th and last shot I slung it way off because was getting to excited . Loaded again and all 6 were about 1 inch group . Big smile ! Then did my Remington Navy and same results group was way smaller then before . Will be doing my 44 calibers soon as get a reamer for them . I had heard reaming your cylinders would improve your accuracy but didn't think would be this much . And yes I have slugger all my bores and checked the cylinders on all revolvers . Some revolvers may have way smaller cylinders compared to bores but still shot good so can't wait to see how they do after getting worked over .

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[Ovidio]

Yes, I’d be curious too.
Sooner or later, I’ll get that illness for sure...

[soonerfan66]

There are several good videos on youtube about it but will pass on what I got told on how to do it . First slug your bore and either slug your cylinders (remove the nipples so can push the round ball back out) or use calipers . What trying to find out is the bore size compared to cylinder size . Be sure to mark cylinders ti keep track of each one . If cylinders are way smaller then bore the round ball will bounce around going down the barrel . Even trying larger balls the balls will be sized down to what ever the cylinders are when being loaded . On some of my revolvers most cylinders even on same revolver were different sizes Want to get cylinders as close to barrel size as possible and all same size . They sell reamer drill bits in fraction and metric sizes and mine was called a 3/8 straight fluke type for my 36 calibers and 29/64 for the 44 calibers . Use some type of a oil on bit and some people use a T handle or can use a drill press or a cordless . Figure out about were your ball sits on your powder charge and go that deep with bit . I went past that point in case wanted to shoot lighter loads . Each their own . If using a cordless drill be sure you are going in straight when reaming and go slow . Old saying you can always cut more off but hard to put material back on . Hope this helps . If you don't want to do it yourself Charlie Hahn is a great guy to contact . He is a very good smith and reasonable on price . If anyone has more input or if I missed something please post . I haven't got to do my 44s yet was to busy today with family stuff but hope to start Sunday after church .

---------- Post added at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------

Ovidio since your into guns your already infected just haven't got to the black powder fever stage yet . There is no cure . Only thing can do to help condition is keep shooting and keep buying a gun every now and then . You can't help yourself at least that's what I tell my wife . It's a sickness . And I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!