Advice and guidance on cylinder reaming

[TheOutlawKid]

Hello all, im new to the forum and not sure if this is the correct place to post this, if not please let me know. Id like to ream my pietta .36 cylinder's to .373, they currently are .367-.368 and are smaller than the groove to groove diameter of .372, so I'd like to ream my Chambers about .001-003 over groove diameter so that I can get the best possible precision out of my cap n ball guns. I've heard of others doing this exact procedure and getting positive results. Does anyone here provide this service or know of who can help me? Perhaps there's a way I can achieve this myself? Anyone out there done this and can share some of their experience? Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

A machine tool company that used to be called Enco, they changed names, has a huge supply of reamers in every size you can think of. Do you have access to a good quality drill press or milling machine? You will need to make sure your set up is square and true, and turn the reamer by hand if at all possible.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

Sigh...no, unfortunately I have no drill press. I could get one, and I'm technically inclined...but I'm hesitant on doing it myself because I've heard so much precision has to be done with no room for error. Working on other parts of the gun I can do...but to ream a cylinder I'm a bit hesitant. I'd prefer to find someone who has successfully done the work before. I do thank you for your help tho, I may actually have to look into that company and bite the bullet and ream the cylinders myself.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

If you do a search on "enco" it should direct you to the site. I agree with you on being cautious with this. It is a very precise project and not for the faint of heart.

 

[paul harm]

I think most of the modern replicas will shoot better than you can hold. I could see it if you were shooting bench rest. In the past when I shot pistol at Friendship, the National Muzzle Loading range, I don't believe anyone including Master class shooters reamed the cylinders on their revolvers. There were many 100's shot at 25yds off hand. JMHO

 

[rodwha]

Sigh...no, unfortunately I have no drill press. I could get one, and I'm technically inclined...but I'm hesitant on doing it myself because I've heard so much precision has to be done with no room for error. Working on other parts of the gun I can do...but to ream a cylinder I'm a bit hesitant. I'd prefer to find someone who has successfully done the work before. I do thank you for your help tho, I may actually have to look into that company and bite the bullet and ream the cylinders myself.

Like you I’d be hesitant to ream cylinders myself and don’t have the machinery to do so anyway. However I’ve been told that the hand reamers self align and are simple. I don’t know of one that is sized for these .36 cals though.

As an aside it may also be beneficial to chamfer the mouths as well. If for no other reason to do away with the ring of lead.

I’ve read several threads in which the reaming of their chambers did indeed make a big difference. My Pietta NMA chambers started at .446” with a bore of .452”. A fellow on another forum reamed them to .449” and chamfered them. I honestly can’t say I can tell a difference. But then they are still undersized. I intend on buying the .45 cal hand reamer to get them to either .452 or 3”. If for no other reason to reduce the stress of loading the same bullets I’ve made for my ROA with .453” chambers.

Oh, and another thing reaming can help with us any sort of out of round chamber issues. Seems some speak of their new in box pistols having an issue which might well cause chain fires.

 

[rodwha]

I think most of the modern replicas will shoot better than you can hold. I could see it if you were shooting bench rest. In the past when I shot pistol at Friendship, the National Muzzle Loading range, I don't believe anyone including Master class shooters reamed the cylinders on their revolvers. There were many 100's shot at 25yds off hand. JMHO

Aren’t those fellows often using the Shooter’s Models and other high end pistols (or the Rodgers & Spencer or ROA)? I’ve not heard of people competing (and doing well) with the more lower end models.

 

[ClemBert]

Maybe easier, cheaper in the long run to have David Clements, gunsmith, do it for you. I've had him ream a cylinder for me. Excellent work. As I recall, the cost was $85 total which included purchasing a ream bit (specific size he did not have on hand), rebluing and return shipping. And, I might add it was more complicated that what you want done, not just a simply straight reaming job.

 

[paul harm]

I shot a Lyman NMA for 10 years, and made the master class doing it. Along the way I had a couple of 100's, and many 97,98,and 99's. It was my fault there weren't more 100's. What did I do to get everything as bold dark letters ? What do I have to hit up above to get back to normal ?

 

[sharps59]

Hello all, im new to the forum and not sure if this is the correct place to post this, if not please let me know. Id like to ream my pietta .36 cylinder's to .373, they currently are .367-.368 and are smaller than the groove to groove diameter of .372, so I'd like to ream my Chambers about .001-003 over groove diameter so that I can get the best possible precision out of my cap n ball guns. I've heard of others doing this exact procedure and getting positive results. Does anyone here provide this service or know of who can help me? Perhaps there's a way I can achieve this myself? Anyone out there done this and can share some of their experience? Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

find Charlie Hahn He did 3 for me. He Just moved his shop so may be hard to get a hold of him. Check The N-SSA board. He posted his new info there.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

Wow thanks everyone for the the suggestions and advice. Mr. Clembert how would I get in touch with Mr. David Clements, do you have his contact info you can share? Did he do .36 cylinders for you? Mr.sharps59, I will also look up on Charlie Hahn as well, I thank you for the info. So far I have found a few gunsmith but most won't work on .36, and it's my favorite caliber and cap n ball is my addiction. I'm literally always messin with my guns or tweaking them, reading up on them etc. People underestimate the .36 and it has a lot of potential. With the right bullet and powder combination and a gun tweaked to make it reliable ...It's an amazing caliber and gun. I'm a huge fan of 51 & 61 navys, so that's what I'll be working on. A hand reamer was mentioned, is that the one similar to brownells .45 Cal reamer? I've never used and haven't seen it in a "kit" form to cut the size I want. Anyone ever use on on their .36's? Thanks again to all who responded.

 

[Mizar]

If you choose to go with hand reaming it will be easier to find a .374", or 9.5 mm reamer. It pays off to buy a high quality tool - it will guarantee you that the tapered lead in is strictly parallel to it's axis, which is a must. But I don't advise to go to that route if you don't have experience - it's quite easy to screw things up with this set-up.

 

[rodwha]

Maybe easier, cheaper in the long run to have David Clements, gunsmith, do it for you. I've had him ream a cylinder for me. Excellent work. As I recall, the cost was $85 total which included purchasing a ream bit (specific size he did not have on hand), rebluing and return shipping. And, I might add it was more complicated that what you want done, not just a simply straight reaming job.

Mr Clements will ream percussion chambers for other than a ROA?

 

[ClemBert]

Wow thanks everyone for the the suggestions and advice. Mr. Clembert how would I get in touch with Mr. David Clements, do you have his contact info you can share? Did he do .36 cylinders for you? Mr.sharps59, I will also look up on Charlie Hahn as well, I thank you for the info. So far I have found a few gunsmith but most won't work on .36, and it's my favorite caliber and cap n ball is my addiction. I'm literally always messin with my guns or tweaking them, reading up on them etc. People underestimate the .36 and it has a lot of potential. With the right bullet and powder combination and a gun tweaked to make it reliable ...It's an amazing caliber and gun. I'm a huge fan of 51 & 61 navys, so that's what I'll be working on. A hand reamer was mentioned, is that the one similar to brownells .45 Cal reamer? I've never used and haven't seen it in a "kit" form to cut the size I want. Anyone ever use on on their .36's? Thanks again to all who responded.

As they say, "Google (search engine) is your friend".....http://www.clementscustomguns.com/

 

[ClemBert]

Mr Clements will ream percussion chambers for other than a ROA?

He did for me....I'm sure he's capable and willing to do any gunsmithing within reason.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'd shoot it first to see how good it is before I'd start doing any changes. If nothing else, you'll have a baseline for comparison

 

[TheOutlawKid]

I've contacted Mr clements and he will only work on rugers he says. Searched for Mr Hahn and found his website, called the number and it's disconnected and most of the posts on his websites were last updated in 2012, but I still emailed him through his site..hopefully he gets the message. And my revolvers all shoot very good, I just want them to be the best they possibly can be. I've never owned a revolver with Chambers over groove diameter but I've shot a couple before and after they were reamed and they showed some tightening up of the groups. The gentleman who's gun's I shot were one in army and the other in Navy caliber, both piettas, and both showed some noticeable improvement. I didn't think much of it until I started fine tuning my revolvers and wanting the most out of them. Also because I know these cap n ball revolvers are capable of so much more (if I do my part of course). I wish I could ask my old friend who had let me shoot his reamed guns, but he's since passed and his family moved away about a year ago. But thinking about the extra precision he was able to squeeze out of the guns...got me on this mission to do the same to mine. Although his guns were the only ones I tested and it was when I was new to this hobby (addiction? Lifestyle?) So I didn't have much experience under my belt or know of anyone else personally who did the same reaming procedure that I could compare too..but I've read up on it and have read of others having the same experience. Wish I remember the exact specs of his guns, I just remember him explaining opening up the Chambers a couple .001's over.

 

[ClemBert]

I've contacted Mr clements and he will only work on rugers he says

It's been 7 years since Clements did work for me so maybe he decided to focus on Rugers since then or it's possible he did the job for me since it was an unusual job and he did it out of interest. Dunno....but I'm sure you will find a good gunsmith that can do it for you as it's a rather easy job for a skilled gunsmith.

 

[robhof]

Hello all, im new to the forum and not sure if this is the correct place to post this, if not please let me know. Id like to ream my pietta .36 cylinder's to .373, they currently are .367-.368 and are smaller than the groove to groove diameter of .372, so I'd like to ream my Chambers about .001-003 over groove diameter so that I can get the best possible precision out of my cap n ball guns. I've heard of others doing this exact procedure and getting positive results. Does anyone here provide this service or know of who can help me? Perhaps there's a way I can achieve this myself? Anyone out there done this and can share some of their experience? Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

There's a guy on Facebook that has a site called cylinderhone, he does mainly modern cylinders, but has a pic of a ROA cylinder that he did, wouldn't hurt to contact him to see if he does others.

 

[rodwha]

Anyone know of a smith who does this near Austin?

 

[TheOutlawKid]

Thanks to all who answered. After contacting so many smith's only one was able to do it, and at an amazingly fair price as well. He has a very good reputation too. I understand why most gun smith's wouldn't want too...most just said they don't do that kind of work on cap n ball guns or only do it on .44 caliber. One other did state he could but that it would be closed to 300 dollars do to having to buy new tooling, and that was a bit much to invest for just getting one cylinder done. I don't feel he was trying to "rob" me in anyway tho, he was honest and explained he did not have the tooling for the dimensions I requested and would have to purchase it, and being that it is such a rare request he may not ever use that tooling again for years later if ever again....and had it been the standard .44 caliber which he does have tooling for then the price would be a whole lot less and a simple job. If any of you out there are serious about getting ur .36''s reamed over groove diameter then I'd be happy to forward you the gunsmiths information that is able to do .36 cal's and has the necessary equipment. I did my research on this particular gunsmith and have heard nothing but positive reviews as he's also well known. I don't want to post his info without his consent, but I'll ask him for anyone who's interested in wanting to contact him.

 

[rodwha]

Thanks to all who answered. After contacting so many smith's only one was able to do it, and at an amazingly fair price as well. He has a very good reputation too. I understand why most gun smith's wouldn't want too...most just said they don't do that kind of work on cap n ball guns or only do it on .44 caliber. One other did state he could but that it would be closed to 300 dollars do to having to buy new tooling, and that was a bit much to invest for just getting one cylinder done. I don't feel he was trying to "rob" me in anyway tho, he was honest and explained he did not have the tooling for the dimensions I requested and would have to purchase it, and being that it is such a rare request he may not ever use that tooling again for years later if ever again....and had it been the standard .44 caliber which he does have tooling for then the price would be a whole lot less and a simple job. If any of you out there are serious about getting ur .36''s reamed over groove diameter then I'd be happy to forward you the gunsmiths information that is able to do .36 cal's and has the necessary equipment. I did my research on this gun particular Smith and have heard nothing but positive reviews as he's also well known. I don't want to post his info without his consent, but I'll ask him for anyone who's interested in wanting to contact him.

I intend to purchase an Uberti Police and will certainly want it done. When is the question as I’ve been drooling on the pics for a few years now...

 

[Mizar]

One other did state he could but that it would be closed to 300 dollars do to having to buy new tooling...

A good quality HSS* chucking reamer costs about $50, a pin gauge** costs about $10. Make that a $100 end cost - shipping, handling, whatever... What are the other $200 for? I believe that he simply did not want to be bothered with that sort of "peasant" work. Centering a hole on a milling machine*** and reaming it is a basic machining skill, nothing complicated, nothing out of the ordinary - any machine shop that stands for its name should be able to do it.

* HSS is more than enough for the soft steel of those replicas.
** If he bothers to slug the chambers first, only one pin gauge for centering the reamer is needed (Well, if those chambers are with the same diameters...)
*** If that gunsmith does not have a milling machine then run away and don't look back.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

I can't see what the fuss is all about. It ain't that complicated. I am thinking hard now about doing this myself.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

I believe the other charges would have been the actual labor, maybe hourly wage. The particular gunsmith does very good work as to what most others have stated. He has a very good reputation. Although I too felt the price was too high, in the end it is ultimately his decision on what he feels his work is worth..all I can do is counter offer to possibly get a better deal or keep looking for another reputable gunsmith who can do what I ask for what I feel is a reasonable cost. Which I was able to do. I considered doing the work myself, I mean looking at the project layout it seems very simple and easy to achieve but there are so many variables for error. Like what if its out of round and eggshaped by fractions of a thousandth? I wouldn't be able to tell with the naked eye, and probably not even with my digital calipers. I would tackle the job myself, but since Im striving for exact precision I felt it was a job best left to someone with the necessary experience and equipment and would do it for a reasonable price. Luckily I found that person and he's very very respected as a gunsmith in the community and judging by his prices I have a feeling he does it as a passion and not just for the income. I've done all the tuning and work on my guns internals to slick them up, make my own powder, even make my own caps...but I think I'll leave this project to the professional this time. But one day I will get that reamer and try my hand at it. Shoot for all I know it will be so easy I'll be kicking myself for not taking the plunge and doing it myself. Mr.rodwha I think I read somewhere that ubertis 5 chambered cylinders are all over groove diameter or just at groove diameter so you may not even need it. But if I'm wrong, then I'd definitely would look into getting it reamed. Whenever you want the work done then let me know and I'll forward you the info.