c.r.
.30 Stingray
"I mainly just know about possums."
Posts: 392
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Post by c.r. on Jul 20, 2009 15:41:27 GMT -5
With all the talk about centerfire single sixes, I thought I’d ask a few question.
Can somebody give me the Reader’s Digest version of what’s all required to convert a rimfire single six to centerfire?
I understand a longer cylinder depending on the cartridges OAL (this may also require opening up the cylinder window), appropriate barrel, possibly “deepening” the loading gate area as necessary. Is it necessary to modify the firing pin/location of the firing pin? Anything I missed?
Now, I’d like some thoughts on why you chose (or prefer) a particular cartridge for this conversion. Also why you did not chose other options………Particularly interested in straight walled cartridges like the 32 H&R, 327mag (I suppose include 5 and 6 shot), 38 special (5 shot and 6 shot) and the 41 special.
Yes, I would like to include the 32 H&R in this discussion. If I’m correct in my thinking….I kind of look at it as a “poor man’s” option in an old model conversion. Basically saving the cost of a custom cylinder. I realize this is offered in a factory configuration, but anyway. Not sure why I’d consider spending this kind of money and then stopping a couple bills away from the 327, but……………
Thank you, c.r.
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
max
Posts: 1,766
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Post by Aggie01 on Jul 20, 2009 16:26:27 GMT -5
C.R., Hamilton Bowen sells take off barrels and cylinders from .32 rugers on GB. Get a set of them, have Alan modify an OM single six and you are in busness cheap (relatively). To convert a rimfire to centerfire, you have to weld up the original firing pin hole, reface the recoil shield, and drill a new firing pin recess/hole. Frame probably has to be annnealed and then rehardened, but that's more technical than I need to know. It's easier to convert from rimfire to centerfire than vice versa, since the new hole is in line with the bore - and I think a couple folks have setups that allow them to drill holes in line with the bore anyway...
The .327's get a lot more of it's oomph from pressure than from case capacity. You can do a lot with a .32 mag pushed to .327 pressure in a Single Six. And you wont be falling all over yourself when a small run of .327 brass is released. 32 mag brass is out there. You have to hunt for .327.
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Post by nobearsyet on Jul 20, 2009 17:27:21 GMT -5
I have been giving thought here lately to a 32 S&W Long, but think I might end up doing a 38 Special conversion
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c.r.
.30 Stingray
"I mainly just know about possums."
Posts: 392
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Post by c.r. on Jul 20, 2009 18:07:31 GMT -5
the brass availablity is the second reason I thought to include the 32 mag, and also a very strong argument for the 38 special.
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Post by AxeHandle on Jul 20, 2009 18:40:50 GMT -5
There are a lot of Ruger 32s out there waiting to be slicked up and/or converted to 327 and 38 Special.... The 41 bore gets into the transfer bar cavity with the loading port on the NM and requires an OM with mandates moving the FP to make a centerfire gun... The NM Centerfire Single Six makes a nice 32 or 38 without getting to exotic...
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Post by cas on Jul 20, 2009 19:52:11 GMT -5
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 20, 2009 20:23:49 GMT -5
Not to hijack the thread but tell us a bit about this 22 snapper. I remember you told us once back on the old forum, but I would appreciate it if you would refresh my memory.
Regarding converting Single Sixes to centerfire, IMO if one has a Single Six that wont shoot, that one is a good candidate for conversion. Im not dead sure what all is involved in converting one to centerfire, only that Harton does it easily and charges somewhere in the 150 US dollar range. That leaves the question of caliber.
Not much out there I would rather have than a good 32 magnum. Lots of brass, bullets, and load levels. I have loaded them pretty dang hot and find the Single Six plenty stout for the hottest 32 mag loads. I just put a sixgun on layaway at the local shop and am quite intrigued by it. It is made by Uberti and I think it is called the Stallion. Its kinda like a scaled down New Frontier in 38 special caliber. The alignment looks good and the timing and action are very good. If it works out to be a good shooter, I wont be building a Single Six in 38 special. The various 355 bullets are interesting, a 9mm Single Six or 38 Super Single Six would be pretty nifty IMO. Some have done the 41 special, but I think I would opt for a 40 Smith and Wesson instead and load for it accordingly.
The wildcats that interest me the most are the 25 caliber versions. A shortened Hornet case launching a 257 dia bullet at about 1500 fps would be cool.
The Single Six can also be done in 32-20 and 25-20 with custom cylinders. Did I leave anything out?
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Post by cas on Jul 20, 2009 21:36:48 GMT -5
.22 Long Snapper. Was relatively inexpensive since is was just the conversion and rechamber. Nothing else was done to the gun. Basically a hot .22 Mag that you can reload.. at least with the lighter bullets. Hornady 36gr V-Max @ 2100fps IRCC. I never got around to playing with heavier bullets, but I'd like to. Some day... My brown cylinder'd 32 and the .22 Long Snapper.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 20, 2009 22:30:38 GMT -5
Ok, thats just too cool. Who did the work? Where did you get the dies? Accuracy? Velocity?
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Post by cas on Jul 20, 2009 22:50:44 GMT -5
Dave Clements did it for me a number of years ago. I don't think he's doing rim to center conversions anymore. The dies were a special order from RCBS. That hurt the wallet more than normal. I bought the gun new to have the work done, so I never shot it as a .22LR. I haven't shot it on paper since I got it... 8 or 9 years ago. lol I recall being more than satisfied with how it show. Not overwhelmed, but quite happy. Again it's really just a stock gun as far as barrel and cylinder go. I'd have to dig up my old notebooks for more info. I only know one other person with one, and I haven't been in contact with him in years. My fault. And always a favorite... 35gr V-Max meets can of creamed corn at 2100 fps.
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c.r.
.30 Stingray
"I mainly just know about possums."
Posts: 392
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Post by c.r. on Jul 21, 2009 8:24:42 GMT -5
Great info guys, thanks so much. Alan's price is substantially less than i expected. cas, thanks for the pics.........I seemed to recall a 22 cartridge? ?........22 cricket or something? does that ring any bells with you? I can't recall much about it other than the name. thanks again, c.r.
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pka45
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 37
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Post by pka45 on Jul 22, 2009 17:51:06 GMT -5
Hey all - been around for a long time but never posted on the new board til now; this has me interested...
So would a 32 single six conversion to 38 spl just be a simple reaming/re-bore process? Could it handle +p?
Thanks!
Pete
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 22, 2009 19:33:13 GMT -5
You can use the same cylinder, but it would be for standard loads only.
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Post by AxeHandle on Jul 22, 2009 20:41:49 GMT -5
Sounds like everyone is happy with the amount of steel in a 6 shot 32 cylinder. My 38 Special Single Six is a 5 shot gun...
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
max
Posts: 1,766
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Post by Aggie01 on Jul 22, 2009 20:46:41 GMT -5
Sounds like everyone is happy with the amount of steel in a 6 shot 32 cylinder. My 38 Special Single Six is a 5 shot gun... Thats the plan on my 38 special too. Not a 38 special so much as a 357 short mag...
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