Ruger blackhawk firelapping
- Thread starter Catpop
- Start date
- Status
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Murf,
Barrel groove diameter being bore diameter, correct? This is so bullet is not swaged before it enters bore. Good to go there.
Fact remains I have a constriction I trying to help disappear -----with all yawls help.
As far as sending it back to Ruger, I hesitate to do that with a 45 year old gun that has fired over 200k rounds through it. And I don't want to pay to have a new barrel installed-----sooooooo I'm happily firelapping away and with much improvement I might add.
Thanks for all the help!
More testing to follow!
Barrel groove diameter being bore diameter, correct? This is so bullet is not swaged before it enters bore. Good to go there.
Fact remains I have a constriction I trying to help disappear -----with all yawls help.
As far as sending it back to Ruger, I hesitate to do that with a 45 year old gun that has fired over 200k rounds through it. And I don't want to pay to have a new barrel installed-----sooooooo I'm happily firelapping away and with much improvement I might add.
Thanks for all the help!
More testing to follow!
nope, bore diameter is the size of the hole drilled in the barrel before the rifling is cut. your bore diameter is .350", or 35 caliber. your grooves are normally .004" high (and there are two in a diameter), so your groove diameter should be bore diameter plus two groove heights, or .350" + .004" + .004" = .358". this will be the larger diameter of your barrel slug. the smaller diameter is the bore diameter. this is what it generally is, you need to slug the barrel and throats to find out for sure.
cylinder throat diameter needs to be at least .001" larger than the groove diameter (.358" in the example above). it is always nice if all six throats are each the same diameter, too. to check throat diameter you can use your bullets as a plug gauge. if your bullets diameter is .358" and that bullet will just fit your throats, then your throats are .359", or a bit less, in diameter.
murf
cylinder throat diameter needs to be at least .001" larger than the groove diameter (.358" in the example above). it is always nice if all six throats are each the same diameter, too. to check throat diameter you can use your bullets as a plug gauge. if your bullets diameter is .358" and that bullet will just fit your throats, then your throats are .359", or a bit less, in diameter.
murf
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
I'm confused, no wait maybe I'm not! De ja vu again.
Thanks for straightening me out again!
I do know my cylinder throats are .359 and only light finger pressure will push .358 to .359 boolits through.
Thanks for straightening me out again!
I do know my cylinder throats are .359 and only light finger pressure will push .358 to .359 boolits through.
stubbicatt
Member
WARNING: Thread veer:
I bought the NECO kit to try to de scabify a 1904 Winchester barrel that has much pitting and is dark. The instructions do not mention whether to lube the cast bullets or just mash the grits into a naked, unlubed bullet. I had planned to lube the bullets. Suggestions? ---I have no problems starting a new thread if that is deemed better.
Regards,
Stubb
I bought the NECO kit to try to de scabify a 1904 Winchester barrel that has much pitting and is dark. The instructions do not mention whether to lube the cast bullets or just mash the grits into a naked, unlubed bullet. I had planned to lube the bullets. Suggestions? ---I have no problems starting a new thread if that is deemed better.
Regards,
Stubb
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Stubbicatt,
Most said no lube, but mine were already lubed so I went with it. I can't see why matters as you mash the grit into the lead and the lube if already lubed. And the grits medium is grease anyway.
As long as the rubber hits the road------opps I mean the grit hits the barrel-----shucks I'm confused again!
If lucky next test tomorrow--- let you know!
Most said no lube, but mine were already lubed so I went with it. I can't see why matters as you mash the grit into the lead and the lube if already lubed. And the grits medium is grease anyway.
As long as the rubber hits the road------opps I mean the grit hits the barrel-----shucks I'm confused again!
If lucky next test tomorrow--- let you know!
Last edited:
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Test 4, 50 firelaps total
I think I'm almost there.
50 lead rounds and NO LEAD!!!!!!
Checked barrel before cleaning and no lead seen. After standard cleaning ditto.
Accuracy: 2 groups of 4.0 gr Win 231, average 2 5/8"
: 2 groups of 3.0 gr RD, average 2.5" OUT OF 357!!!!!!
: 2 groups .38 special wussy loads 3.0 gr universal, average ?, forgot to pull targets from board, but looked good from firing line.
Dillon SD hasn't returned yet. Drats! I'll have to single line 50 for next test AND hopefully last!
Note: I've been feeling the restriction each time I push a cleaning patch through bore until today. I took special care to feel for the restriction and none felt, but a slugging will prove that after next week's final test.
MORE NEXT WEEK!
I think I'm almost there.
50 lead rounds and NO LEAD!!!!!!
Checked barrel before cleaning and no lead seen. After standard cleaning ditto.
Accuracy: 2 groups of 4.0 gr Win 231, average 2 5/8"
: 2 groups of 3.0 gr RD, average 2.5" OUT OF 357!!!!!!
: 2 groups .38 special wussy loads 3.0 gr universal, average ?, forgot to pull targets from board, but looked good from firing line.
Dillon SD hasn't returned yet. Drats! I'll have to single line 50 for next test AND hopefully last!
Note: I've been feeling the restriction each time I push a cleaning patch through bore until today. I took special care to feel for the restriction and none felt, but a slugging will prove that after next week's final test.
MORE NEXT WEEK!
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Test 5- still 50 firelap total
No firelap this week as I thought I was finished
Nope not yet.
Dillon still not back so I had to single line 50 with 4.5 Universal
Average group 2.5"
A little leading at 1200, otherwise lead free. Easily removed with Chore boy.
I'll firelap 10 more this week and give another report Thursday (I hope)
Over and out
No firelap this week as I thought I was finished
Nope not yet.
Dillon still not back so I had to single line 50 with 4.5 Universal
Average group 2.5"
A little leading at 1200, otherwise lead free. Easily removed with Chore boy.
I'll firelap 10 more this week and give another report Thursday (I hope)
Over and out
Last edited:
stubbicatt
Member
Catpop, if it is taking you this many slugs, I wonder if it is feasible to do my barrel in this manner. Might take several hundred lapping slugs to blow the jagged edges out.
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Stubbicatt,
Consider
1. I'm using probably a 320 not 220 grit (old 1960s valve lapping compound)
2. I've been told it ay take up to 70 rounds to finish with 220 grit, some even elude to 120 grit.
So I'm not overly concerned about number of firelaps, grit size or time it takes. I just love a quest.
And I'm trying to do it economically. (I didn't buy a $40 + shipping firelapping kit)
What I am concerned about is not distroying accuracy in the quest. So far I have not. This is the reason for the weekly accuracy test along with just putting 50 rounds down the barrel.
I'm enjoying the quest and it certainly has decreased my leading issue tremendously.
If I had used 120 grit Clover I'm sure I would be through by now. But that is not what I had on hand.
I would recommend you try it.
Thanks for input and following along.
Consider
1. I'm using probably a 320 not 220 grit (old 1960s valve lapping compound)
2. I've been told it ay take up to 70 rounds to finish with 220 grit, some even elude to 120 grit.
So I'm not overly concerned about number of firelaps, grit size or time it takes. I just love a quest.
And I'm trying to do it economically. (I didn't buy a $40 + shipping firelapping kit)
What I am concerned about is not distroying accuracy in the quest. So far I have not. This is the reason for the weekly accuracy test along with just putting 50 rounds down the barrel.
I'm enjoying the quest and it certainly has decreased my leading issue tremendously.
If I had used 120 grit Clover I'm sure I would be through by now. But that is not what I had on hand.
I would recommend you try it.
Thanks for input and following along.
Jesse Heywood
Member
If you're concerned about leading at 1,200 rounds you're far more anal-retentive than I.
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Me anal, never!
Now tight, I just might resemble that remark!
But I am slow, 1200 rounds? Help me here.
Heck, I get leading with 50 rounds or at least I used to. Not so bad now though after firelapping.
Now tight, I just might resemble that remark!
But I am slow, 1200 rounds? Help me here.
Heck, I get leading with 50 rounds or at least I used to. Not so bad now though after firelapping.
Jesse Heywood
Member
After all, you have been counting rounds, iirc.
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
All my test are with 50 rounds after a 10 round fire lapping session-----So I'm still getting a smigion of leading at 50 rounds.
But all my test are what I normally put down barrel weekly anyway, so no wasted expenses there.
Bad news, tug boat took my range day this week so did not get to range to test fire laps, matter of fact did not even get fire lapping done.
You know work can be a bummer, but I'm thankful to be blessed with a good job and plenty of work!
More next week I hope.
But all my test are what I normally put down barrel weekly anyway, so no wasted expenses there.
Bad news, tug boat took my range day this week so did not get to range to test fire laps, matter of fact did not even get fire lapping done.
You know work can be a bummer, but I'm thankful to be blessed with a good job and plenty of work!
More next week I hope.
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Well, it will be a while before I finish this quest. I broke the end of my fibia loading some equipment and I'm oos for about 6 weeks.
I'll post more then I get back to shooting.
I'll post more then I get back to shooting.
ljnowell
Member
41 Mag
Member
Sorry to hear about your breakage. Hope your back up and around soon.
On the upside though, you do have time to load everything up for when you are back in service.
On the upside though, you do have time to load everything up for when you are back in service.
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
Stay away from the lottery and black cats!
Hope you get out sooner than 6 weeks. Ttyl.
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
Hope you get out sooner than 6 weeks. Ttyl.
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Thanks to all for concern
Loading equipment and I are not doing to well right now. Haha
As soon as I can get my swelling down and get into an air cast, I may get a little loading in. But they indicate maybe by 4-6 weeks, I may even be back to work.
We'll see. Thanks, catpop
Loading equipment and I are not doing to well right now. Haha
As soon as I can get my swelling down and get into an air cast, I may get a little loading in. But they indicate maybe by 4-6 weeks, I may even be back to work.
We'll see. Thanks, catpop
good luck with your recovery.
if you are only getting a "smidge" of leading with 50 rounds, you should stop if the next fifty rounds don't decrease the smidge. all guns will lead a bit and a light frosting of lead down the barrel is a sign of an excellent bore.
heal quick,
murf
if you are only getting a "smidge" of leading with 50 rounds, you should stop if the next fifty rounds don't decrease the smidge. all guns will lead a bit and a light frosting of lead down the barrel is a sign of an excellent bore.
heal quick,
murf
OP
OP
Catpop
Member
Thanks to all, looks like it will be a while before I'm able to finish quest
But I will continue when I can
Thanks, catpop
But I will continue when I can
Thanks, catpop
FROGO207
Member
Ouch!!! I hear ya. Any bone break is no fun. Well the bright side is at least it's not stopping you from using the computer. And get well soon.
And get well soon.- Status
