Originally Posted by
CAGerringer
Just out of curiosity...how much does Bobby charge to reline a Pietta Smith? I too, have an area of less resistance half way down the barrel, when running a slug down it. I'm very interested how this story plays out!
Respectfully,
Charlie Gerringer
Old Dominion Dragoons
A reline should be a last ditch solution. I would fire lap the barrel to reduce tool marks, smooth out high spots and greatly improve accuracy.
For the uninitiated, firelapping involves shooting lead bullets coated with very fine abrasive such as valve grinding compound to polish the barrel. When you feel less and then more resistance pushing a slug down the bore, you are feeling high spots as little as 1/2 of a 10 thousandth (.00005). To make firelapping rounds, use hard lead bullets and roll them between two glass plates/ceramic tiles with lapping compound. This presses the compound into the bullet, making a "lap". Load a cartridge with a light charge of the fastest burning powder you have. With black, I'd say 10 to 15 grains of 4f. You want enough to get the bullet out of the muzzle. (With my 40-65 Sharps, I used 5 grains of Bullseye, but DON'T DO THAT IN A SMITH!!!!!)
Anyway, take about 5 shots, clean the bore, then another 5. After 20 shots, push a slug down the bore and feel the start and stop as the slug encounters high spots. (Lead Bullet Technologies suggested about 20-30 rounds, I used 80 in my Sharps.)
Lather, rinse and repeat.
This will also work to freshen up a dark or slightly pitted barrel.
NOTE OF CAUTION - I'm relating this based on my increasingly poorer memory and something I did about 25 years ago. Do your due diligence and see what instructions you can get online. After typing this long missive, I looked and LBT is still in business and still sells borelapping kits and push through slugs. http://lbtmolds.com/Products/tabid/5806/Default.aspx
Just the project to tackle during our forced hiatus.
Stay safe and wash your hands.
Bob Anderson
Ordnance Sergeant
Company C, 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry
Small Arms Committee
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
- John Wayne in "The Shootist", 1976
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