oldwolf
40 Cal.
I'm looking for a website that gives the common bore diameters of BP revolvers. Any of you guys have a URL?
Bore Diameter URL Needed
- Thread starter oldwolf
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I'm not sure there is a "common bore diameter" for black powder revolvers.
Just looking at some of the bore/groove diameters in the Dixie catalog I see:
.440/.446, .440/.456, .440/.452, .440/.448, .440/.466.440/.460...
It seems to depend on the gun as well as the manufacturer as one manufacturer may have three different combinations on three different models.
zonie
Just looking at some of the bore/groove diameters in the Dixie catalog I see:
.440/.446, .440/.456, .440/.452, .440/.448, .440/.466.440/.460...
It seems to depend on the gun as well as the manufacturer as one manufacturer may have three different combinations on three different models.
zonie
oldwolf
40 Cal.
Thanks Zonie.
That is what I was looking for, but hopefully a website that gave that type of data for most manufacturers. Maybe it does not exist.
I have an old Dixie catalog too, but noticed the data is not included on their website.
Mainly, I am looking for information on ROA and Uberti Dragoons at the moment. But I also want some data on .36 caliber rifle and revolver diameters so that I can do some planning for a future buy list.
That is what I was looking for, but hopefully a website that gave that type of data for most manufacturers. Maybe it does not exist.
I have an old Dixie catalog too, but noticed the data is not included on their website.
Mainly, I am looking for information on ROA and Uberti Dragoons at the moment. But I also want some data on .36 caliber rifle and revolver diameters so that I can do some planning for a future buy list.
Agree with Zonie's comments.
As you probably know the Ruger Old Army is built using a .45 Colt Blackhawk barrel. Ruger's website may provide measurements.
As to other guns, think some of the Sam Fadala black powder loading/shooting books (paper back sized like a Gun Digest) had measurements on bores.
My local library has several Fadala b.p. books so yours might also.
Can not find my Fadala b.p. handgun book at present to check it. Hopefully someone else will post.
As you probably know the Ruger Old Army is built using a .45 Colt Blackhawk barrel. Ruger's website may provide measurements.
As to other guns, think some of the Sam Fadala black powder loading/shooting books (paper back sized like a Gun Digest) had measurements on bores.
My local library has several Fadala b.p. books so yours might also.
Can not find my Fadala b.p. handgun book at present to check it. Hopefully someone else will post.
oldwolf:
My 2005 Dixie Catalog says the Ruger OA barrel has a 1:16 twist, .443 bore diameter and (6).451 groove diameter. The chambers are .453 diameter.
The Uberti Dragoons have a 1:48 twist, .440 bore diameter and (7) .456 diameter grooves. The chamber diameter is .449 diameter. This applies to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd models.
The Uberti Walker has a 1:48 twist, .440 bore diameter bore and (7) .466 diameter grooves. The chambers are .449 diameter.
The bores and grooves on the .36's also seems to vary by maker and model.
Hope this helps you.
zonie
My 2005 Dixie Catalog says the Ruger OA barrel has a 1:16 twist, .443 bore diameter and (6).451 groove diameter. The chambers are .453 diameter.
The Uberti Dragoons have a 1:48 twist, .440 bore diameter and (7) .456 diameter grooves. The chamber diameter is .449 diameter. This applies to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd models.
The Uberti Walker has a 1:48 twist, .440 bore diameter bore and (7) .466 diameter grooves. The chambers are .449 diameter.
The bores and grooves on the .36's also seems to vary by maker and model.
Hope this helps you.
zonie
oldwolf
40 Cal.
Thanks Zonie.
The twist ratio between the two is vastly different.
I'd think faster twist would be more accurate with balls, how about you?
The twist ratio between the two is vastly different.
I'd think faster twist would be more accurate with balls, how about you?
At the risk of starting a "twist war", IMO a round ball doesn't require much rotation to stabilize it.
In fact, even if it "keyholed" who would know?
It isn't like a elongated slug where tumbling would affect it's trajectory.
zonie
In fact, even if it "keyholed" who would know?
It isn't like a elongated slug where tumbling would affect it's trajectory.
zonie
Zonie said:
That's right - not much, but some.
Fast twist (ie, 1 in 20") is best for conicals to prevent tumbling. RB's will actually be less accurate from fast twist barrels versus those from slow twist barrels, probably because aerodynamic effects get pronounced and overcome the effect of gyroscopic stabilization. I said, probably. Just MHO.
Slow twist (ie, 1 in 60") is best for round balls for reasons I mentioned above. Conicals will not stabilize from slow twist barrels because they don't build up enough rotational speed (thus momentum). Again, JMHO.
Best and most accurate way to get bore diameters is to slug the barrel. A simple process, especially on most BP revolvers, except maybe the Remingtons.
The rate of twist discussion can get real heated real fast.
As mykeal states, slower is better for round ball, at least in general discussions, but there is some evidence and a lot of arguement, that the shorter the barrel, the faster the twist needs to be.
Harpers Ferry pistols, the originals, were rated at 1 in 28, for a 58 caliber round ball, if I recall correctly.
The rate of twist discussion can get real heated real fast.
As mykeal states, slower is better for round ball, at least in general discussions, but there is some evidence and a lot of arguement, that the shorter the barrel, the faster the twist needs to be.
Harpers Ferry pistols, the originals, were rated at 1 in 28, for a 58 caliber round ball, if I recall correctly.
oldwolf
40 Cal.
Tkendrick said:
That would be because shorter barrel lengths typically yield less MV than longer barrels using identical loads.
So, to achieve a desired RPM of the projectile, the shorter barrel would need a faster twist rate than the longer barrel with its higher MV.
:thumbsup:
oldwolf said:
Percussion revolver bullets/balls are sized by the cylinder so the barrels dimension is not the control of the bullet diameter. Shooitng a .454 or.457 ball in a revolver generally does not change much since its going to be sized to .452 or so (in most cases) when loaded in the cylinder.
The only way to know the barrels bore dimensions with any reliability is to slug it. If the chambers are too tight have them reamed/polished to a size within .001 of the groove. Barrels with deep rifleing will do OK with bullets .001 under since when the bullet is engraved with the rifling the bullet will deform and fill the bore. More than .001-.002 oversize may cause leading.
Dan
Might not effect bullet drop but it will sure effect accuracy if the RB "tumbles".Zonie said:
Pistols with slow twists can sometimes require a lot of powder, for a pistol, to get accuracy. I had a 70" twist 54 pistol that shot well with 70 gr of FFFG. Another 54 built with a 66 twist Douglas did very well with 60 gr. Both were accurate enough and powerful enough to kill deer to 40 yards or so.
I built a pair of 6" barreled 54 percusion belt pistols with 20" twists, they shot fine with 45 gr of FFFG. More than this and they got very noisey and recoil went up significantly. No more powder is needed from a 6" pistol so the 20" twist should be fine.
I would rather see a 30" twist for pistol barrels. But I don't have the say in this.
Dan
Well, don't belive any data. You can look here.
but it really depends on manufacturer and year of production.
My revolvers (measured diameters):
1. Uberti Navy'51 (2003) - bore .36; grooves .38; chambers .375; twist left 1:32
2. Uberti Walker (2005) - bore .438; grooves .450; chambers .449; twist left 1:18
Zonie I have seen old Uberti Dragoons and Walkers with 1:48 twist but now they are 1:18. I have seen one Uberti Navy'51 with RIGHT twist... so don't belive any data.
but it really depends on manufacturer and year of production.
My revolvers (measured diameters):
1. Uberti Navy'51 (2003) - bore .36; grooves .38; chambers .375; twist left 1:32
2. Uberti Walker (2005) - bore .438; grooves .450; chambers .449; twist left 1:18
Zonie I have seen old Uberti Dragoons and Walkers with 1:48 twist but now they are 1:18. I have seen one Uberti Navy'51 with RIGHT twist... so don't belive any data.
oldwolf
40 Cal.
The Uberti data appears to be centerfire only. The best source I have seen thus far for C&B data is my old Dixie catalog.
