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?