Hoyt relined Smith bore size

[B P Shooter]

A friend recently acquired a Hoyt relined Smith that, after being gauged, appears to have a bore size of .500.

Why so small? Is this the common size for a reline? And, what bullet and size would you guys recommend?

[Kevin Tinny]

Hello:

Before the experts chime, is .500" the land or groove diameter, please?

Respectfully,
Kevin Tinny

[Carolina Reb]

The original Smith bore diameter is 0.50". Most are very close to this. Groove diameter runs 0.512" to 0.515". The repros generally have a tighter groove diameter. Bobby will do whatever you ask.

[gemmer]

I have a pietta smith that has a Hoyt lined barrel and it shoots a .515-.517 smith bullet from Lodgewood better than I can hold it.

Bobby relined my Erma Gallagher to .500/.515 for the Smith bullet. I got the same results as you did.

[B P Shooter]

A .500 plug gauge will barely enter the bore from either end.

So... the rifling is .010 to .015 deep and a .515 smith bullet will not lead the barrel?

[MR. GADGET]

A .500 plug gauge will barely enter the bore from either end.

So... the rifling is .010 to .015 deep and a .515 smith bullet will not lead the barrel?

Was that a .500 plus or minus gauge?

No the rifling would be between .0075 to .0050 deep.
So it should work great with a .515 to .517 bullet.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

What size did you expect? It is not too small. Like any black powder gun, the lubricant, lead type and charge all can have an effect on leading.

[WBR10654]

Like Bruce Cobb Said.

Get a mold and a sizer for the Barrel.

Some folks I know have had the same issue with relined Maynards where the bullets need to be size to .515 or .516, I think guys shooting originals are around .518. I did but I am shooting a Romano and a Teammate shots that gun, very well in fact.

Don't try to size a bullet to large for it because you will loose the ability to put enough lube on it, The issue I almost have with mine, but it still works.

Also, I know few people that actually have a problem with leading if they size and lube their bullets properly.

THEN AGAIN: seeing who has already replied If I was you I would ignore my post... HA!

DPB




A friend recently acquired a Hoyt relined Smith that, after being gauged, appears to have a bore size of .500.

Why so small? Is this the common size for a reline? And, what bullet and size would you guys recommend?

[MR. GADGET]

Thanks for your reply sir. Some apparently don't know what plug gauges are and therefore, I doubt they know the difference between lands and grooves. Nor, do they understand the difference between .015 and .0015.

It just seemed to me that .515 would be a lot to "squeeze" through this .500 barrel without a leading problem.

Thanks again.

Jeff.
Don't know who your jab is at or why, but people are trying to help you.

If you need more help or pictures to understand I'm sure we can help you.
I have a full set of plug gauges 0, plus and minus if you need also.

[MR. GADGET]

A .500 plug gauge will barely enter the bore from either end.

So... the rifling is .010 to .015 deep and a .515 smith bullet will not lead the barrel?


To revisit this.
If you use a .500" plug gauge to measure you measured the dia of the lands.
Only way to measure the groove would be to slug the barrel or have the cutter.
As you stated if you have .015" deep rifling your groove dia would be .015" + .500" + .015" to get to the true groove to groove dia. Being .530"
This is the reason I stated it is more likely you have a depth of .0075" or .015" overall
Most I have sluged or measures will take a .500" gauge plug and slug close to .515"
Being you want full contact, for a lead bullet norm is to go .001" to .002" over
That is why most shoot a .515" to .517" sized bullet.

My smith took a .500" plug as in this case. I shot an RCBS smith bullet mold sized at .520" with no leading.
It shot better with a .517" as normal loads.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

It is a pretty simple process just using a dial caliper when you have a decent bore to start with and you have an ID to start with. At the end measure the thickness of the barrel at the groove. Do the same for the land, right next to the groove you previously measured. Subtract the 2 to get a groove depth. Multiply it by 2, then add your ID dimension. That number is the bullet size I would start with. This information is from a highly skilled, ex automotive senior designer.

[MR. GADGET]

It is a pretty simple process just using a dial caliper when you have a decent bore to start with and you have an ID to start with. At the end measure the thickness of the barrel at the groove. Do the same for the land, right next to the groove you previously measured. Subtract the 2 to get a groove depth. Multiply it by 2, then add your ID dimension. That number is the bullet size I would start with. This information is from a highly skilled, ex automotive senior designer.

Yep done that also. Works great on good barrel.
Just check several times at different locations to make sure the bore is centered in the barrel.
Many euro arms or lined barrels can be off centered. I have a few.
My Richmond carbine is way off, but it is a cut down Euro Arms Richmond.

[B P Shooter]

To revisit this.
If you use a .500" plug gauge to measure you measured the dia of the lands.
Only way to measure the groove would be to slug the barrel or have the cutter.
As you stated if you have .015" deep rifling your groove dia would be .015" + .500" + .015" to get to the true groove to groove dia. Being .530"
This is the reason I stated it is more likely you have a depth of .0075" or .015" overall
Most I have sluged or measures will take a .500" gauge plug and slug close to .515"
Being you want full contact, for a lead bullet norm is to go .001" to .002" over
That is why most shoot a .515" to .517" sized bullet.

My smith took a .500" plug as in this case. I shot an RCBS smith bullet mold sized at .520" with no leading.
It shot better with a .517" as normal loads.

I digress sir. It was my figures that were off. I'm such an idiot. And I was a machinist for a number of years. Ugh. Apologies to all.

[John Bly]

I've had probably over 100 barrel blanks made by Hoyt for my Maynard barrels and quite a few lined by Hoyt. The bore size on his blanks generally runs between .499" and .500". My .499" pin gage will go in all of them and my .500" pin gage will go in some tightly. My gages are minus gages. His groove size runs between .515" and .518" by my measurements at the deepest part. The proper bullet size is generally .001" over the groove diameter. Lead hardness and different powder charges can have an effect on the best bullet size. Experimentation with your barrel is the best way to determine this. BP Shooter, load it up and go shooting. You have nothing to worry about.