Reaming Service, 45 Colt

[dwayne]

A shooting buddy of mine has a NMFT convertible that will shoot the lights out with the 45 ACP cylinder but the 45 Colt cylinder has tight throats (0.4505") and it shoots lead poorly. Is there a good place to send the cylinder to have the throats opened up to 0.4525" that has a decent turn around time, does good work and you would recommend? I'd like to help him find a good 'smith/shop.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dwayne

 

[princeout]

Check with Hamilton Bowen. I believe this is one of the few things he will do "ala carte" outside of his packages. Option B230 listed in his catalog on his website.
Tim

 

[DeletedMember275]

IIRC, there is a member here on this forum who offers this service (not CAS, who has retired).

 

[dwayne]

IIRC, there is a member here on this forum who offers this service (not CAS, who has retired).

Does anyone recall the name or contact info of the member that offers this service?

 

[DeletedMember275]

I don't recall the member's user name. Perhaps you could post a 'want to find' in the revolver section?

 

[Doc Fillem]

I bought the reamer from Brownell's and did it myself but I have four 45 Colt Vaqueros so I figured it would pay for itself. I even made some money back by "renting" it to others. Look for Manson Precision revolver cylinder throating reamer on Brownell's website. The reamer is $80 and the pilot pack is $50.

 

[Boxhead]

I have had Bowen do a couple and they were turned around inside of two weeks with shipping. He hones rather than reams so quite precise.

 

[w5lx]

I didn't know CAS retired. As of December, 2013 he was still doing it although he says he is "slowing down". I can't get anything to work on his website.

www.cylindersmith.com

 

[rugerAA9]

Dewayne I'm in Eastern N.C, and have the Ransom Reamer. Contact me if you're still interested in having the 45 colt cylinder reamed.

 

[tookalisten]

Dwayne - I can vouch for rugerAA9; he will do a good job for you.

 

[cas6969]

"Retired"? Hmm.. I guess retired sounds much better than "desperately need the money but can't stand doing them anymore". . But "retired" makes it sound like I retired. lol

 

[jimbo1096]

So you still wanting to do a couple now and again there cas? I had heard also the Internet rumors that you had "retired". :shock:

 

[princeout]

I've got a local gunsmith who does my FFL transfers. He is reaming his 45 Blackhawk, then doing one for me. Then we are going to rechamber and rebush an OM SBH cylinder to fit my NM 45 fullsize Vaquero Birdshead. I have a tight chambered reamer Dave Manson made a few years back for Mike B. that we are using for that.

If all goes well, I'll let you know. He might be enticed to start doing the mail-order reaming service. I'll let you know.
Thanks,
Tim

 

[dwayne]

Thanks, Tim.

My friend just got his cylinder back (from Tx., I believe) after having the cylinder throats opened up to 0.4525" (they were a tight 0.451"). We spent about 3 hours on my range today trying it out -- WOW! It made a huge difference. Now it shoots like it should. I'm not sure who did the work for him. I'll find out and let others now if there is any interest.

 

[308 Scout]

Look up "DougGuy" on the Cast Boolit forum. He does it and can provide lots of pics of finished products.

 

[dwayne]

An update from the OP …

I bit the bullet and bought the reamer and bushings from Brownell's. I took my time, was very careful and did two cylinders in about 90 minutes. I checked all 12 throats with a 0.452+ pin gage -- perfect. Considering that I had two cylinders to do, it was about break even from a cost perspective. And, I was able to learn a few things. Thanks to all that provided replies. I appreciate your helpfulness.

 

[DougGuy]

Thank you for the nod 308 Scout. As long as Ruger is making revolvers, there will be a need to "finish" making them. Not knocking Ruger at all, just they make affordable guns by SAAMI spec and they will flat out tell you they don't intend for reloads to be used in their guns. Those of us who want to shoot slightly over bore diameter cast bullets will need to A. ream and/or hone the cylinder throats to accommodate the chosen bullet diameter, or B. size the bullets to fit in the tightest throat in the cylinder.

At least they didn't ship them with "one size fits all" cylinder throats that are excessively large.