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Thread: Sharps and Merrill reamers

  1. #1
    ewmail15 is offline
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    Sharps and Merrill reamers

    I'd like to know more about bore reamers. I see them on gunbroker when I'm searching for carbines like the two I own. Both of my bores have suspect rifling, meaning I can't tell if there's a lot of lead in there. Would reamers only remove built-up lead, or could they also damage the rifling? Thanks, Eric.

  2. #2
    Bob Gorsky 10483 is offline
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    no reamer

    use lead remover liquid or lead remover patches which you should be able to find at any gun store or on line.
    it takes a lot of scrubbing to get the lead out of the groves, it's not a 5 minute job, a lot of elbow grease

    reamers are not for removing lead. a reamer is used for cutting the final size & finish of the bore, then after that process the rifling is machined in with a special cutter.
    have fun,
    Bob Gorsky

  3. #3
    Kevin Tinny is offline
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    Hello:

    Might also want to avoid any stainless steel bristle brushes. They can damage bores.
    The quality and stiffness of brass and copper bristle brushes vary.
    This is one place not to skimp.

    Any lead removing liquid needs TIME to penetrate.
    Get bore sloppy wet and let barrel lay flat for a day and see.

    A tight, thin wrap of 4-0 steel wool on a tight metal jag that has a cylindrical, not slotted, tip and oil will work ok on the tops of the lands and not damage the edges of the lands IF used sparingly as a removal test.

    While there are differences in lead removing fluids, most are some form of penetrating oil.
    You can economize with just about any simple penetrating oil. Sorry, time and patience are necessary.

    Regards,
    Kevin

  4. #4
    Charlie Hahn is offline
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    Regarding your question about reamers.
    Most of the time they refer to Chamber Reamers. These are usually multi-feature "form Cutters" that produce the contours that align the projectile and cartridge case to the bore.

    A barrel or gun reamer is totally different. A gun reamer is usually a single point tool that need a guide to start it with the rough drilled bore and relies on following guide pads. This bore need to be smooth with no rifling or interruptions..

    In short, neither one is suitable to be used for lead removal,

    Charlie Hahn

    Three shots in!

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    Great info for a newby

    No such thing as a "bore reamer" like Charley said. The bore is the rifled area in the barrel. Chamber reamers are for the area that holds the Load / cartridge on breech loaders. There is a practice called "chasing the rifling". A tool much like a rifling head is make to remove slight traces of metal or in your case lead, one grove at a time. This is also called "refreshing" the rifling. A tool can also be made to refresh the lands. All require a custom made tool for your specific bore, hence $$$.
    N-SSA Member since 1974

  6. #6
    Charlie Hahn is offline
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    Gun reamer

    Name:  imgf0001.jpg
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Size:  11.8 KBHere is a gun reamer that produces the bore.

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