1873 Barrel Relining Project with Pictures!

[rbertalotto]

I went out to the shop and stripped the 1873 down to receiver and barrel.

Need to remove the barrel to put it into the lathe to bore it out. I was extremely concerned about removing a barrel from a 128 year old gun. But I put the barrel into the vise, attached the receiver wrench and with about 20 pounds of force the barrel simply popped right off! NICE!

I also received my Cody Museum letter. It's posted on the web site.

You can follow the whole project if you like on my web site......complete with pictures!


www.rvbprecision.com

[Coal Creek Griff]

Very interesting.  This kind of thing is far beyond my abilities, so I’m always fascinated to hear how others do it.  Thanks!

CC Griff

[rbertalotto]

I bored out the 1873's barrel tonight. Went well. But talk about having your heart in your throat. I was so scared of destroying the barrel!

Pictures and words are on the web sight


www.rvbprecision.com

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[rbertalotto]

ITS DONE!

Web site is updated!

www.rvbprecision.com

[rbertalotto]

I took the "old gal" to the range this afternoon and posted target pictures on the web site. www.rvbprecision.com

Fantastic accuracy! I could not possibly be happier on how this rifle came out! It handles great. The action is extremely smooth and the trigger breaks like glass! I'll need to add a higher front sight, but the windage was spot on without adjusting anything. This can be an issue with barrel liners. I lucked out big time!

Now all I need to do is learn how to load 38-40 ammo so the bullets don't get pushed into the case in the magazine! Need to do "crimp" research.

Thanks!

[NCRanger]

For some strange reason I can't get your link to work.   

[pony express]

Now all I need to do is learn how to load 38-40 ammo so the bullets don't get pushed into the case in the magazine! Need to do "crimp" research.

Thanks!

Congrats on the successfull "operation" As far as pushing bullets into the cases, I'd consider neck tension first. Maybe have to polish a thousanth or so off of the expander button, or maybe experiment with a slightly larger bullet.

Also, a compressed full case of B/P will keep the bullet from going down into the case

[rbertalotto]

Yup, something is wrong with the web site. My son the expert is fixing it!

[Jamie]

The Lee factory crimp die has been the answer for me in the 44/40 with smokeless loads (ie - no casefull of black or pyrodex to support the bullet.)  I suspect that it would do the same for the 38/40.  I've loaded about 300 rounds without a single neck buckle.  I realize that the 38/40 is more bottlenecked, and that makes it a little more sensitive I suspect, still, for the money, it's sure worth checking out...
Jamie

[rbertalotto]

Web site is fixed!


Yesterday I received the following from various suppliers:

Lyman Black Powder bullet mold #401043
RCBS Cowboy bullet mold #40-180
RCBS Cowboy 38-40 dies
LEE Factory Crimp Die
LEE .401 sizer die.

So...down to the reloading room I go.

I took 30 cases and shortened them .10"  and I shortened the standard LEE seating die .10". I sized the LEE tumble lube bullets down to .401. I had to turn a better seating stem on the lathe to seat the bullet sooner, before the crimp is installed. This was easy and now I can load these plinking loads very fast with bullet seating and crimping all in one easy operation.
This worked beautifully! The bullets crimped right under the top driving band and fit the rifle perfectly. So my smokeless plinking loads are now serviceable.

Next I cast up a bunch of Lyman and RCBS bullets out of Lyman #2 alloy.

The Lyman bullets have no crimp groove and are designed for Black Powder where they simply sit on the compressed load of BP. With un-modified cases, this worked perfect. Black Powder loads will be ready to shoot as soon as Lathesmith delivers my .401 Star seating die so I can lube some bullets.

The RCBS bullets seat and length perfectly in un-modified cases using either the RCBS crimp die or the LEE FCD. I haven't formed an opinion yet as to which way I will go with this. And again, need the Star sizer so I can lube the bullets before i go shoot'n.

But I'm hear to tell you, the 45LC is a BUNCH easier case to load for. The thin brass on the 38-40 neck precludes you from any "Speed Reloading" . If you are not very careful you'll crush cases. I haven't lost a case yet, but I can see where it would be quite easy to do so.