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Thread: Smith Carbine Bullet Sizing Diameter Question

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    SE Georgia
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    636
    Region:
    Deep South - Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas
    Slugging will get you the size. It could be mirror bright and still be oversized. Wartime production. I could believe out of spec barrels made it out of the factory.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Rock Hill, South Carolina
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    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina
    The Smith can shoot VERY good.

    All the above posts make good points and have sound advice.

    Shooting from the bench introduces it's own issue. Most all stem from not mounting the gun exactly the same for each shot. Check, eye, shoulder, must all be placed in damn near the exact same spot to get 100% repeatable results.

    When we're sighting in, folks are expecting one-hole groups. Your gun may be able to get it, but can the shooter?

    Slug it to make sure the bullet is truly engaging the rifling. Plus you can feel for any loose or tight spots in the barrel.

    If you've done everything listed and it still won't group well enough, you can always use it as a test stake!

    But seriously, a LOT of good advice in the responses above. Recall, a few thousandths of an inch makes a difference, so go slowly and see what you find
    Mike 'Bootsie' Bodner
    Palmetto Sharpshooter's, Commander
    9996V

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Rock Hill, South Carolina
    Posts
    1,044
    Region:
    Carolina - North Carolina and South Carolina
    Also, insufficient lube can kill accuracy in a Smith quickly. My is a great shooter. Short version, I ended up reducing lube by about 50% by error. After 4 shots, bullets we hitting the ground when fired at 50 yards. Completely fouled. Added a little lube to bullet at the mouth of the case and fixed.

    Determine the correct seating depth. Partially seat bullet so it sticks way out. Put into gun and close. Open and gently remove cartridge. Measure over all length with caliper. That's the length you want to make you cartridge.

    So load the powder, seat bullet remeasure. Figure out gap and add filler on top of powder to get that length. A slight compression of the load when closing the breech IS desirable...
    Mike 'Bootsie' Bodner
    Palmetto Sharpshooter's, Commander
    9996V

  4. #14
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    NWT area
    Posts
    937
    Region:
    Northwest Territory - Michigan, Ohio and Indiana

    To rcbloom2

    Who made your Smith carbine? What is the maker and model number of your bullet mould?
    N-SSA Member since 1974

  5. #15
    Muley Gil is offline
    Team:
    34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry
    Member
    3020V
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Southwest Virginia
    Posts
    1,676
    Region:
    New England - New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts
    Quote Originally Posted by rcbloom2 View Post
    >Open sights. I am 55 years old and can still focus on the front sight.

    Your carbine has a front sight? maybe THAT'S why I can't hit the dadblame target!
    Gil Davis Tercenio
    # 3020V
    34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry
    Great, great grandson of Cpl Elijah S Davis, Co I, 6th Alabama Inf CSA

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