I SCREWED UP + The Fix

[Coffinmaker]

I've had an ITCH  WARNING  WARNING  VERBOSITY ALARM  RUN FOR YER LIFE

Ever since I started shooting Percussion guns, I've had an Itch.  I wanted to be able to shoot real bullets out of my Main Match Pietta's.  The "real" bullets I wanted to use are the "Barnstormer," invented, developed and brought to market by Adirondack Jack.  A severe itch.

So:  About a year and a half or so I tried it.  Stuffed Barnstormers into the cylinders for my Pietta Marshals.  Talk about scary.  The KABOOM and recoil were like a 44 manglem.  Frightened the krap outta me you betcha.  The Barnstormers just fit the chambers way way too tight with way way too much bearing surface.  I didn't try it again until . . . . Simple.  Ream the chambers.  Sent for a chamber reamer to my specs to make loading Barnstormers practical.  Got the reamer, punched out a chamber and HORRORS!!  The Barnstormer just dropped freely to the bottom of the chamber.  Maker of the reamer had completely ignored my specifications and I didn't check before I punched the chamber (oops).  I was so annoyed that reamer hit the trash can from clear across the shop.  I gave up (almost)

After being released from Hospital, whilst puttering around the shop I found a different reamer I didn't know I had (smaller) and then had a thought (Oh - oh the PAIN).  With the chamber still too large, I reamed short and set my loader to punch the Barnstormer into the actual chamber just the depth of the lower driving band at the skirt.  The Barnstormer sits about an eighth inch short of the cylinder face.  It works a treat.  The result is the actual bearing surface is the same as a round Ball, yet the Barnstormer obdurates to fill the chamber on the way out.  It works to perfection other than the Barnstormers shoot a little low.  I can live wid dat.  Yes, I could have chosen Conicals.  Don't like conicals.  Yes, I could have chosen the EPP UG - 45.  Didn't want to do dat, I wanted to shoot Barnstormers.

Now I'm replacing the cylinder with the funky, odd chamber just 'cause I can't stand being reminded of that mistake and I'll ream it the way that really works.  My SNUBBY Marshals are a hoot shooting Barnstormers.  WHEEEEEEEEEEEE

Verbose Mode - OFF

[DeaconKC]

Good for you!

[hellgate]

Now I wish I knew what a Barnstormer looks like that is so appealing. BTW I've also ruind a cylinder or two with a reamer. I feel your pain and shame.

[Coffinmaker]

  Hi Ya Hell Gate 

I appreciate your kind understanding.  There are times when having an itch and the tools with which to scratch it can be a hazard. 

The Barnstormer is not so much its appearance as it is the "weight."  Picture a .45 caliber hollow base "Wadcutter."  Now imagine that hollow base goes almost all the way up to the crown of the bullet, like really really DEEP.  Now weigh the weird little critter and find that it weighs in at a massive 130Gr as cast (no, I don't cast 'em).

Now feature shooting a .44 Cap Gun that has the massive recoil of a .36 loaded with EPP UG - 36's.  Or . . . "What Recoil??"  Some kinda FUN you betcha 

[Hair Trigger Jim]

Those would be hilarious (but pointless) in a Walker.  But I bet you could get some amazing muzzle flash with all that unburned powder!

[Professor Marvel]

My Good Coffin

With the original unreamed crush fit, I would surmise that you were replicating the early British Webly results of using a "fat bullet"
Which seems to increase pressure with less powder?

I would love to have seen the velocity (and pressure! ) numbers .....

Yhs
Prf mrvl

[Coffinmaker]

Perfesser Marvelous 

Well, yeah.  I don't know why, but when I originally stuffed those little buggers inna chamber, it never occurred to me they wouldn't wanna come back out     I had chamfered the chamber mouth to facilitate loading regular Round Ball without shaving lead.  That chamfer made it possible to stuff in Barnstormers    When the first two went off, the guy with the timer and all the spotters backed up and spread out     I didn't think you could knock a CAS target down with a 130Gr bullet but one of 'em went down.   I can only imagine what the chamber pressure was (frightening) and the velocity had to be impressive as well.    Needless, I have not been real inclined to duplicate the the feat. 

[Professor Marvel]

You may have achieved 9mm power factors with that loading!
Glad your cylinders held up LOL

Prf mumbles