Turning the barrel...

[joelo]

OK, i have a single six vaquero in 32 mag that shots about 2" to the right at 25 yards and i want to fix it. A couple of friends have shot it and it's the gun, not me. I'm settled on a load and everything.

Let's say that i have the barrel clampled in a vise... what direction should i turn the barrel??? clockwise or counter-clockwise?

thanks

 

[joelo]

I'm sorry, the barrel is clamped, in what direction do i turn the frame?

 

[rugerguy]

clockwise to tighten it and counter to loosen it, hope you have the proper tools, frame wrench and a barrel clamp..................LONG handle to just "nudge" it, if it comes loose, its back to square one.................is the front sight at 12 oclock (top dead center????)

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Shooting 2" right at 25 yards is a very tiny amount to try and correct. But if you are going to try, the top of the front sight needs to go to the right so turn the frame counter-clockwise. :shock: :shock:

 

[joelo]

is the front sight at 12 oclock (top dead center????)

What would be a "scientific" method to determine if is top dead center?

I just did this: layed the single six on a flat surface (left side facing down) and using a caliper measured from the surface to the front sight and got 0.547". Then removed the ejector housing and layed it again (ejector side facing down) and from the surface to the front sight got 0.594". I supose that if it was dead center both sides should measure the same... right?

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

is the front sight at 12 oclock (top dead center????)

What would be a "scientific" method to determine if is top dead center?

I just did this: layed the single six on a flat surface (left side facing down) and using a caliper measured from the surface to the front sight and got 0.547". Then removed the ejector housing and layed it again (ejector side facing down) and from the surface to the front sight got 0.594". I supose that if it was dead center both sides should measure the same... right?

I'd do it this way: Go to Home Depot, Lowe's, or the hardware store and get a length of right angle aluminum stock. Cut to length between the front sight abd the frame. Lay it on the barrel with the barrel inside the right angle and line the corner up with the center of the front sight. Check alignment at the frame end.

I'd do that before trying to turn the barrel. 2" at 25 yds could be your grip or th ammo.

 

[JLarsson]

Two small levels - one on top of the cylinder frame, the other on top of the front sight base. Get the bubble in the middle on one and check the other.

 

[Big Rack]

I believe that you would move the front sight to the left when holding the gun as if you were shooting. The front sight movement needs to e opposite of the rear sight.

 

[JLarsson]

He's shooting to the right. If the rear sight were adjustable, he could move it to the left to compensate (move the rear sight the direction you want the bullet impact to move). Since it's a fixed rear sight, he wants to move the front sight right (move the front sight the opposite direction you want the bullet impact to move).

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Another way to make a small adjustment to the sighting of the gun would be to make the rear notch a little wider. In this case you could use a file to take a little off the left side of the rear sight notch. 8) 8)

 

[joelo]

I already opened the left side of the notch a bit (thanks for the advice), i got a better sight picture now also.

I haven't tried turning the barrel yet... i think i'll ask for prices with a couple of gunsmiths in my area, i think i don't have the proper set up for trying it myself

 

[trauma1]

Did this on a Vaquero years ago. Scribe a witness mark on the underside of the frame. It will never show if you take the grip frame off first. the turn so the witness marks are JUST BARELY not matching. you will be amazed how little movement it takes to change point of impact. The "easy" way is to bend the front site with a non-marring hammer but you run the risk of knocking the front site off and it is very easy to go too much. Make sure you have the right tools though. Twisted frames are BAD! and not covered by Ruger warranty!

 

[WOB]

Using similar triangles, the amount to move the front sight to the right for 2" correction @ 25 yds. is as follows:

X = front sight movement, inches
R = sight radius ( distance between rear and front sights) , inches

X= R/450

Example:
Assume 6" radius, X= 6/450= .013" theoretical.

WOB

 

[joelo]

Well, this one is a 4 5/8" barrel...

That would be 0.010" turn

I think i could measure that from the witness marks using calipers.

thanks for the tip

 

[Boge]

The ONLY way to REALLY know is to shoot the gun with THE load you have selected as the "one". Mathematical formulas are fine, but eventually you will have to "test pilot" the theory. Do a little barrel turning at a time.

Turning barrels is not for the timid nor the neophyte IMO. Also, what shoots good at 25 yds. may not at 10 or 15 yds. Bear that in mind as to the intended purpose of the gun. You may put your favorite load dead nuts on at 25 yds. but by turning the barrel cause it to shoot off a little at closer ranges due to the mystery of ballistics. I've seen it happen.

Before I did anything I would first weigh carefully at what ranges the gun is to be used for primarily.

 

[WOB]

4-5/8" barrel will have a sight radius of about 6".

WOB