Paper Patch Smith plastic tubes

[dhaze]

Picked up a Smith (Pietta repro) and going to use black plastic cases. The bullet I'm going to use, for now, is sized .510 and slips out of the cases. Is it OK to paper patch the part of the bullet that sits in the case just to stop it from sliding out?

Thanks

[ms3635v]

Try a .515 diameter bullet, it should be fine in a Pietta Smith.

[dhaze]

I have some .515's / 350gr. Pushed one through the barrel (mallet and dowel), came out and measured .512 when done. So .003 difference wouldn't create to much pressure when fired?

Thanks for the info

[jonk]

3/1000 of an inch shouldn't create too much pressure, especially if soft alloy or pure lead. In fact, for breech loaders, being a few thousandths OVER groove diameter is key to good accuracy.

[dhaze]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

[ian45662]

I second what has already been said

[jonk]

The other thing with the Pietta smith is... due to the way the grooves are spaced, it's a real PITA to get a good measurement with calipers or a micrometer. My best guess on mine is that it's about .514, based on a few slugs and averages and figuring math and stuff. So I size at .516. But I might borrow some smaller and larger sizers to play around too.

[ms3635v]

As Jonk said in one of his posts here, breechloaders should be oversized for the bullet to shoot well. I use dead soft lead in my Maynard and my son-law is shooting dead soft lead in his original Smith and both shoot extremely well.

[dhaze]

I got to the range today and shot some .512's and some .515's sitting on 28gr of FFg Goex and COW as needed. Clean bore they both seemed good at 50yrds. After about 20 rounds the .515's seemed to start straying but with the 512's I could still punch a hole in a 6 inch circle (old eyes and iron sights = "did I hit anything?). More experiments to follow.

Thanks for all the info !!!

[ms3635v]

David,

I am glad you hit on a combination that works. Do the bullets fit more securely in your tubes?

[dhaze]

David,

I am glad you hit on a combination that works. Do the bullets fit more securely in your tubes?

I used a different lube with a consistency more like grease rather than wax for lack of a better way to describe it. This holds the bullet (.512) from slipping out.

[dhaze]

I just found this listed at Saguaro Arms.

Smith Artillery Carbine / F. LLI Pietta
Breech-loading rifle, cal.- .50 , used during the Civil War.
The buttstock and the forearm is made of walnut.
Case- hardened frame and hammer, with sling swivels .

Technical details:
BARREL: .50 caliber ; Rifling- .007'' ; 3 lands- .514 & 3 grooves - .500 ; 1-66'' twist ; Brass dovetail front sight ; Flip -up rear sight
ACCESSORIES: Nipples- 5/16 x 24
RECOMMENDED LOAD: 40 grain FFFg(Swiss) ; .515 Conical bullet ; brass or rubber cartridges........................

So, maybe I'll try the .515's again and play with the powder load....... Experimentation is half the fun !!

[jonk]

YOOOWWW! 40 gr of Swiss 3f? NO way! I ran 32 gr of Swiss 3f and it caused the action to pop open on an otherwise tight gun, and kicked and barked stoutly. I don't think you'd even fit 40 gr into the case, plus bullet.

Ignore that part, the rest sounds good.

[dhaze]

YOOOWWW! 40 gr of Swiss 3f? NO way! I ran 32 gr of Swiss 3f and it caused the action to pop open on an otherwise tight gun, and kicked and barked stoutly. I don't think you'd even fit 40 gr into the case, plus bullet.

Ignore that part, the rest sounds good.

I tried 35gr 2f Goex and thought I was shooting a different rifle !!!

While I'm here, again, What weight bullet do people use in the Smith? I see bullets for the Smith and they seem to be in the 350-380 gr range. This would seem heavy to me for a 1:66 twist.

[ms3635v]

Dave,

My son-in law shoots a 400 grain Moose bullet sized from .520" down to .518" on top of 28 grains of GOEX 3f lubed with MCM lube in an original Smith. This combination works very well for him.

[dhaze]

Back to the range today and tried 3 different weight bullets. Used the same size, .512 and SPG lube. 3 shot groups. Off bench. 50 yards. Started with the lightest, 260 gr hollow bottom and grouped at 6.8 inches. Next was a 350 gr and grouped at 3.3 inches. Last was a 370 grain and grouped at just under 2 inches (1.95).

I would have sworn that this weight would have needed a faster twist..............Well, maybe I'll try that bullet with some powder variations. Maybe get some 3f and see how it does. I was seeing some powder granules being left in the barrel. Finer granule more complete burn maybe?

[Lou Lou Lou]

For more than 20 years I used a 500 gr NEI Smith bullet with 25 gr of Goex 3F. The bullet was made with a long bearing surface, short nose ogive. It was an original Smith with pieces of land missing and a longer bullet bridged the gaps. Actually shot a one hole group off hand with it ( I was younger)

[Joe Plakis, 9575V]

You forgot to also mention that you were 2 feet away from the target to, Lou!

[dhaze]

You forgot to also mention that you were 2 feet away from the target to, Lou!

I usually shoot a 1 hole group when I only shoot 1 shot. Well, most of the time. Sometimes I have no hole at all !!!