barrel lining

kernel · February 23, 2010, 12:06:44 PM

When converting a BP to cartridge, whats the hive's mind on lining the barrel.

Mako · February 23, 2010, 05:15:02 PM

Kernel,
What caliber? If it's .36 some folks will use .38 hollow base wadcutters or other hollow base bullets. The choices are slim with .44 caliber. You can get heeled bullets in .44 caliber(maybe you can in .38 as well, I haven't looked). There is reloading and lubricating equipment specifically for heeled .44 bullets.

You have to remember that even if you line the barrels, the chambers don't have any lead and a "standard" bullet will wallow in the font section of the chamber until it hits the forcing cone of the barrel. I don't think it makes much difference with CAS ranges and loads, but it is something to consider.

It all comes down to readily available bullets over going a step farther and obtaining or casting heeled bullets and then getting the necessary lubrication dies, crimping dies etc. They are available and they work well. You either pay for barrel lining or dies, it's your choice.

My choice is using heeled bullets, if you are going to go to the trouble to convert you might as well go all of the way.

Regards,
Mako

Hoof Hearted · February 23, 2010, 10:09:57 PM

My info on loading heeled base bullets is available here by doing a search with those terms as the parameters.

Of course the 45 Colt conversions require no barrel lining, but here's my new cool setup:

41 Colt in a 36 caliber conversion........no barrel lining necessary!

PM if you want to know more............

HH

kernel · February 23, 2010, 10:29:41 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to decide what I want to do. Convert one or just buy a open top.

Fingers McGee · February 24, 2010, 11:55:26 AM

I was in a quandry about that as well. Reviewed all the threads on various forums about the pros and cons. As a result, I opted for buying the open top, Man With No Name Conversion. I am happy with the decision and the pair of pistols I bought (although one needed a lot of work on the hand). They look, heft, feel, & shoot like a '51 Navy; but load 38 specials.

FM

Flint · February 24, 2010, 07:23:17 PM

R&D had the option of a cylinder chambered either for a 375 or a 357 bore. If a bore is relined to 357 you need the cylinder chambered for that, which is throated. The through bored cylinder is for the 375 cap & ball bore, and rt requires either a heeled or hollow based bullet. Ask Taylors or Howell.

I don't know if Kirst offers the option, it's worth asking.

Hoof Hearted · February 25, 2010, 09:59:51 PM

Quote from: Flint on February 24, 2010, 07:23:17 PM
R&D had the option of a cylinder chambered either for a 375 or a 357 bore. If a bore is relined to 357 you need the cylinder chambered for that, which is throated. The through bored cylinder is for the 375 cap & ball bore, and rt requires either a heeled or hollow based bullet. Ask Taylors or Howell.

I don't know if Kirst offers the option, it's worth asking.

Walt has produced some limited runs of "unchambered" cylinders which could be chambered leaving the throat whatever diameter requested.......but this begs the question:

Does a heel base bullet, when fired in a chamber with a .375 throat, expand in the throat or does the forcing cone play a role?
I personally have used a cylinder with .375 throats and a .357 barrel (with a generous forcing cone and hollow base bullets) to no real disadvantage.
I have also used the R&D cylinder (with .357 throats with an unlined barrel of .375) and it also shot well with hollow base bullets.

I would not try (and seriously do not suggest) using a heel base bullet in a cylinder chambered with .357 throats.............

HH

Hell-Er High Water · February 26, 2010, 11:32:54 AM

I have had the same results as Hoof Hearted but with a different caliber.

I just finished rebarreling a M'58 Remington reproduction with a 0.429" barrel. I installed a 6 shot Kirst Konverter in 44 Remington (Colt) caliber. These Konvertes have 0.455" throat diameters for shooting heeled or hollow base bullets. I cut an 11 degree forcing cone in the barrel to a diameter that would normally be used for a 45 caliber barrel to help funnel the bullet into the rifling in case there was any mis-alignment as it comes out of the cylinder throat.

I am shooting 44 Russian black powder loads with 44 caliber, 200 grain Mav Dutchman Big Lube bullets sized to 0.429" diameter. Group size with this load is the same, or better, as I get out of my M'72 open top revolvers chambered in 44 Special. Not "one hole" groups out of any of the revolvers, but very adequate for Cowboy Action Shooting.

For our purposes of CAS shooting the oversize chamber throat does not seem to be a problem.

HHW

pony express · February 26, 2010, 08:21:32 PM

Quote from: Hoof Hearted on February 25, 2010, 09:59:51 PM

I would not try (and seriously do not suggest) using a heel base bullet in a cylinder chambered with .357 throats.............

HH

Waaay back in the early -mid 70's I came across some .38 short colts, 130 gr heel base bullet, they worked in my 357 blackhawk. But then, it would take a lot more than that to hurt a Ruger. But my dad had an old "no name" H&R type top break, he thought those were the right shells for it. I guess those little guns are stronger than some give them credit for, it handled swaging a .375 bullet into a .360something bore. Couldn't hit the side of a barn, though. Much better accuracy with .38 S&W!