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Post by Lee Martin on Jul 23, 2021 8:01:30 GMT -5
Lapping compound on a mop, steel wool around a brush, Brownell's hone gizmo, etc, etc. They all work fine. Don't worry about egg shelling the chamber because: 1) At most, you'll remove a couple of ten-thousandths. Most modern cylinders Rockwell 35 and up. You'd have to lean on it hard for a while to remove thousandths. 2) Factory chambers are already generous. A 0.0001 - 0.0003" isn't going to matter. It would be immaterial on even a tight chambered custom. 3) What you're starting with may not be dead concentric. If you have a mill, sweep a chamber or two with a dial test indicator. You'll probably see runout, though small. Don't have a mill? Spin a fired case over a concentricity gauge. You may be surprised. Doesn't really matter though. The work starts in the throat. And for that reason, we hone our throats on a Sunnen. Polish away. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 23, 2021 8:11:42 GMT -5
Lee, that has been my experience as well. I've polished some rough throats generously and never could measure the difference afterwards.
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Post by blackmamba on Jul 23, 2021 11:14:32 GMT -5
I use the honing tool from Brownell's and it works great. Chuck it in a drill, and as long as you keep it oiled and straight into the chambers, nothing to it. As with any form of removing metal, go slow and check often. I bought a used 29-2 that would stick cases, even after a VERY thorough cleaning, with loads of only about 25 kpsi. After using the honing "mop" the cases slide in and out with no trouble, including some pretty near max loads.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,092
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Post by edk on Jul 23, 2021 12:50:36 GMT -5
I simply can't subscribe to that thinking. Perhaps others can, but I'm of a different mindset. I've seen this exact same theory applied too many times and to too many things. Handloading is a prime example. I've read many times how some theorize that handloading is dangerous because someone might think if a little powder does good, a lot of powder... I wonder how many generations are left capable if we continue to dumb down people because someone screwed up? I'm more of a learn from mistakes (mine and others) kind of thinker. Do we not handload because someone blew up a gun? Not drive because someone died in a wreck? Where does the dumbing down end? I've seen guns screwed up by home gunsmithing. NEWSFLASH!!! I've seen guns screwed up by big name gunsmiths too. I believe this forum is inhabited by some pretty danged intelligent gun people who probably know their limits. In the end, knowing out limits is what keeps us in check... I'm a DIYer to a fault. Lived a lifetime of having folks tell me "You can't do XXX" and have generally replied "watch me". There is very little under the sun that you cannot do once you take the time to educate yourself. Be careful: once you develop the mindset the confidence can cause one to disregard the most efficient use of time and money and the practice itself can become a rabbit hole.
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 23, 2021 13:25:18 GMT -5
Agreed and of a similar belief. I figure if anyone else can do a lot of it, I can at least do a little of it.
I've always found a Dremel with lots of attachments was a good friend to have.
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Post by leftysixgun on Jul 23, 2021 15:59:20 GMT -5
Hahahaha, +1 LEE, well said
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Sarge
.30 Stingray
Posts: 344
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Post by Sarge on Jul 23, 2021 16:42:41 GMT -5
I use the honing tool from Brownell's and it works great. Chuck it in a drill, and as long as you keep it oiled and straight into the chambers, nothing to it. As with any form of removing metal, go slow and check often. I bought a used 29-2 that would stick cases, even after a VERY thorough cleaning, with loads of only about 25 kpsi. After using the honing "mop" the cases slide in and out with no trouble, including some pretty near max loads. I've used those too and they work well. If your chambers are really rough, like an old 45 Vaquero I had, it's going to take a bit longer; but with patience, perseverance and plenty of oil you will get them slick.
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Post by contender on Jul 23, 2021 22:26:48 GMT -5
Lee makes an excellent point.
My posting was NOT to imply it can't be done,, or shouldn't be done.
In fact,, I'd figure most of the folks on this Forum are educated well above the general "kitchen table gunsmiths" that can screw up a steel anvil with a rubber toy mallet.
I was just offering the info I've seen actually happen. A bore brush,, wrapped in cloth, inserted in a drill, polishing compound applied, and run into chambers w/o proper alignment & done a LOT. In fact,, I think the guy got carried away, ovaled things, and thought he needed MORE work. And I think he finished using a dremel & polishing stuff for jewelry.
And lastly,, I'll admit to having polished a few cylinder chambers myself,, using a drill press & a proper alignment tool set-up. Yes,, it can be done easily,, if done properly. And as I noted,, most folks here are better educated than some "others" out there.
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on Jul 24, 2021 4:29:32 GMT -5
The big factor for me here is patience. I'm being honest, I am concerned I will not have enough and get antsy. So, I may send it to someone like 2dogs as, for me, it's about making sure I don't lose my patience and then do something very stupid. Trust me, I have done that before. Thankfully, not on a firearm.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
TANSTAAFL
Posts: 2,632
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Post by awp101 on Jul 24, 2021 7:40:17 GMT -5
The big factor for me here is patience. I get it. I'm a very patient person. Right up until I'm not.
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Post by lockhart on Sept 13, 2021 11:22:42 GMT -5
On my old Auto Mag .357AMP, it had rough chamber. I put some fine steel wool on a cleaning rod, chucked it in my electric drill, and carefully ran it back and forth in the chamber. After it looked good and smooth, I tried some of my hunting loads and it completely cured that problem. Mine was one of the High Standard marked late guns. Damn thing shot like a rifle!
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Post by bigbore5 on Sept 14, 2021 4:07:17 GMT -5
I just bought a new cylinder from Fermin to replace the one in a blackhawk I got off gunbroker. Someone trying to hone the throats or something really did a job on it. The cylinder he made me a good deal on is a perfect .3580" with some really shiny chambers and throats. Haven't had time to really try it now but it's got to group better than the other one did.
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