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Post by Burnston on Nov 28, 2018 11:26:52 GMT -5
It'd be an easy decision for me, I hunt down a 1st gen cylinder & barrel in better condition in either 44 WCF or 45 Colt & install them on that frame, & shoot it frequently! Just keep ahold of the old parts as you can always return a Colt SAA to it's original configuration on down the line if you so choose. Is it essential to functionality that they be 1st generation parts?
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Post by Cholla on Nov 28, 2018 11:32:52 GMT -5
Unless you just want to turn it into another caliber, the simplest thing at this point would be to shoot it again with the proper size bullets.
The 1st Generation Colt's, with their tiny sights, will never be much good for anything but plinking and nostalgia. I own two of them and love shooting them, but that's all they'll ever be.
Cholla
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Post by Burnston on Nov 28, 2018 18:22:54 GMT -5
Unless you just want to turn it into another caliber, the simplest thing at this point would be to shoot it again with the proper size bullets. Granted, I know very little about the caliber, the ammo was within spec so far as I can tell. Take that with a grain of salt. According to the notes sent with me, they are measured at .311, 100gr over 5gr Unique, (these are my father's reloads.) It is also very likely that the erratic accuracy is operator failure. There is always a risk when shooting someone else's reloads, and I do not make a habit of it. However, given the loader, I made a rare exception.
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Post by Cholla on Nov 28, 2018 18:40:05 GMT -5
[quote author="Burnston " source="/post/293501/thread" timestamp="1543447374Granted, I know very little about the caliber, the ammo was within spec so far as I can tell. Take that with a grain of salt. According to the notes sent with me, they are measured at .311, 100gr over 5gr Unique, (these are my father's reloads.) It is also very likely that the erratic accuracy is operator failure.
There is always a risk when shooting someone else's reloads, and I do not make a habit of it. However, given the loader, I made a rare exception. [/quote][/p]
Well please pardon my presumption regarding the bullets. I've been handloading for about 40 years and had no idea anyone made short jacket bullets in that diameter. Ya learn something every day!
Your fathers charge of Unique is plenty safe and .311 jacketed bullets, I would think, should give reasonable accuracy.
Given my recent acquisition of the caliber in question, I ordered a back issue of Handloader No. 290 in which Brian Pearce has a great piece on loading the 32-20. Just to give you an idea of the strength of the cylinders in this caliber, he states- Table III has a few loads that will approach 30,000 CUP and should only be used in guns with suitable strength to handle such pressures. Examples include Colt Single Actions above serial number 192,000, Ruger New Model Blackhawks, U.S. Fire Arms SAA's and Uberti SAA clones.
Keep shooting and enjoying that revolver!
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Post by jimtx on Nov 28, 2018 21:39:21 GMT -5
My first gen colt was a 1912 lettered 32wcf loved that gun. Best trigger on any colt I've had and shot poa.
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Post by Burnston on Nov 28, 2018 23:08:26 GMT -5
"Well please pardon my presumption regarding the bullets. I've been handloading for about 40 years and had no idea anyone made short jacket bullets in that diameter. Ya learn something every day!"
Your 40 years experience is certainly valued in my book, and I do not take it lightly. You and those like you are the reason I frequent this forum. I have no clue as to the age or origin of the bullets dad used. Here is a picture that may provide some clarity. You may indeed be correct, and the measurements may be wrong. The only information I have are handwritten notes that I myself did not write. I spoke with dad earlier this evening after our questions came up and he simply referred to the bullets as "old stock," so I may ever figure out where they came from. Thanks again for your valued input.
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Post by Cholla on Nov 28, 2018 23:14:42 GMT -5
Your 40 years experience is certainly valued in my book, and I do not take it lightly. You and those like you are the reason I frequent this forum. I have no clue as to the age or origin of the bullets dad used. Here is a picture that may provide some clarity. You may indeed be correct, and the measurements may be wrong. The only information I have are handwritten notes that I myself did not write. I spoke with dad earlier this evening after our questions came up and he simply referred to the bullets as "old stock," so I may ever figure out where they came from. Thanks again for your valued input.
Ah!!! The bullet you're showing isn't a half or short jacketed bullet, it's simply a jacketed soft point. Sorry about the confusion on my part. Winchester and Remington once offered many of their factory projectiles for sale to handloaders, I've seen them in my Dad's old Shooter's Bibles, Handloaders Digest, et al. Betcha the bullet in your hand is one of those. Cholla
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Post by 45MAN on Nov 29, 2018 7:44:31 GMT -5
I HAVE A 1920's COLT SAA AND IT SHOOTS VERY WELL WITH .313 CAST BULLETS BUT AS A POSTER FURTHER UP SAID THE "TINY" SIGHTS HOLD IT BACK. IT IS A GOOD 25 YARD GUN BUT BEYOND THAT THE SIGHTS, ESPECIALLY THE REAR "SIGHT", CAN BE PROBLEMATIC.
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Post by Frank V on Nov 29, 2018 21:28:17 GMT -5
It'd be an easy decision for me, I hunt down a 1st gen cylinder & barrel in better condition in either 44 WCF or 45 Colt & install them on that frame, & shoot it frequently! Just keep ahold of the old parts as you can always return a Colt SAA to it's original configuration on down the line if you so choose. This is exactly what I was thinking. My choice of calibers would be a new .44 barrel with a .44-40 cylinder & spare .44 Special cylinder.
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Nov 30, 2018 9:26:34 GMT -5
If you think the cylinder is cracked, put it in a can of acetone or even gas, let it soak. Then wipe it down. If there is a crack the acetone or gas will take a while to dry and keep reappearing. Poor mans magnaflux. I have done this to several Krag bolts over the past years. It works, only found one with a crack. It is obvious when ya see it.
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