pistol cylinder bored out?

wap41 · January 20, 2014, 09:16 AM

Has anyone had a pistol cylinder bored out to accept a larger powder charge?How does the larger powder charge affect the accuracy?

Snyper · January 20, 2014, 10:49 AM

It can't be done since you'd also need a larger barrel and bullet.

Don't experiment with explosives you hold in your hand

wap41 · January 20, 2014, 10:54 AM

I guess I put it wrong I meant having the cylinders bored deeper to accept more powder

Kappe · January 20, 2014, 11:21 AM

What sixgun are you shooting that needs more powder capacity?

wap41 · January 20, 2014, 11:36 AM

i am thinking about using one of my ruger old army's.What I have in mind is using it as a back up side arm for hunting which would include black bear.

Kappe · January 20, 2014, 11:50 AM

The amount of extra powder you could fit in by relieving the back of the chamber would be negligible and do who knows what for structural integrity.

I would advise you to look into 777 and loads for it instead.

wap41 · January 20, 2014, 12:28 PM

Dave Clements noted gunsmith makes 50cal's out of ROA's also reams out cylinders to accept 7grs more powder.Just would like to find out results of being done.

enyaw · January 20, 2014, 12:45 PM

I've read that fer larger game the ft/lbs min. is like 500Ft/lbs. I like to adhere to that.
I would be easier to get "sorta close" to that with smokeless and a conversion cylinder and pick a load from the loading manual that gives the most ft.lbs.

If you just want the pistol for the "coup de grais" then a stout ball load with black would do it right up close.

You might hunt bears with a cap&baller if you were after bears the size of coyote.

If you were talking bout using a Blackhawk or better yet a Super Blackhawk Ruger that would be better.

robhof · January 20, 2014, 04:04 PM

I have some Classicballistix cylinders that give about 5 gr more than the factory cylinder and are actually a slightly tighter fit; cylinder gap on mine are 004 as opposed to .006-008 on my factory cylinders. I've used mine for coup de gras shots on deer during b/p season here in Ky, which the ROA is legal for deer here, but I haven't gotten a <50yd shot to try it yet. 40 gr of 777 behind a 250gr flatnose works great, but for bear I'd rather trust something with magnum pressure and large caliber.

Doc Hoy · January 20, 2014, 04:51 PM

I find that my accuracy drops off if I go too high in powder.

Going to a larger ball or bullet possibly would stand more powder. Then of course, other pistols might shoot different from mine.

My guess is that Clements improves performance in one way or another but I haven't a clue as to how or what.

Driftwood Johnson · January 22, 2014, 05:29 PM

Howdy

I cannot imagine why anybody would want to use a Cap & Ball revolver as a backup weapon when hunting potentially dangerous game.

wap41 · January 22, 2014, 06:08 PM

Colt Walkers can be loaded up to close to a 44 mag performance

Driftwood Johnson · January 22, 2014, 07:33 PM

It's not a matter of power, it's a matter of reliability. Have you ever had a cap jam? That's why cartridge revolvers were developed. Do you want to have a cap jam, or a cap fall off, or fail to fire when a bear is charging you?

wap41 · January 22, 2014, 08:21 PM

1st of all it would not be my primary weapon,I'd be using a 50/150 inline if I was after bear.2nd of all if a cap fell off 1/2 sec to fire the next round would not alarm me.Not everyone needs a 375 H&H mag to hunt rabbits.

Chestnut Forge · January 22, 2014, 08:29 PM

My father-in-law shoots 40gr of 4f in a ROA. It really lets you know it went off. We haven't run it past the chronograph yet but I'm guessing its up there.

wap41 · January 22, 2014, 08:57 PM

Thats the type of info I'm looking for.Wow 40grs of 4f,I'm sure thats pushing it atleast 1250-1300 fps.How accurate is it at that rate?

Driftwood Johnson · January 22, 2014, 09:08 PM

I guess you've never had a spent cap fall down inside the mechanism and jam the whole gun up. I have. I sure wouldn't want to have an angry bruin charging me if I had a cap jam. Cap & Ball is fun when your life does not depend on it. I'll stick with cartridges when the chips are down.

North East Redneck · January 22, 2014, 09:35 PM

ROA for bear? Think I'd pass on that. Many better guns are available. Ruger offers centerfire revolvers that hit harder and are always going to go bang. Handgunning bear? Yes. With an ROA? If that was the only gun available and a threat or hunger where my motivation. Other than that, I think there are better guns available.

Captainkirk · January 23, 2014, 12:06 AM

Is there a reason you want to use a C&B?
Just asking, because I wouldn't.
Bears are not known for being mild-mannered WITHOUT a bullet hole in their ribs. Frankly, I would carry nothing less than my Super Blackhawk in .44 and I'd be pretty nervous then, being a SA.
But, that's just me.....

Doc Hoy · January 23, 2014, 06:34 AM

There might be a good reason to use an ROA....

When the charging bear sees it, he might stop and exclaim, " Dag! An ROA!, Wanna sell it?!"

Chestnut Forge · January 23, 2014, 08:08 AM

It is not bad. 3 inches at 50 yards off a bench. But the FIL is a real pistol shooter. He won a lot of matches. Once, there were some guys tearing down a house. They were waiting on the power company to cut the electric lines. FIL cut the line for them with a Smith model 29. 4 shots, 3 wires. The ROA will handle any amount of commercial black powder that will fit in the chambers.

wap41 · January 23, 2014, 10:30 AM

Doc you're absolutely right,I never saw a ROA that I didn't want to buy.

Chestnut Forge · January 23, 2014, 10:44 AM

Local gun shop has one NIB for $600. I've thought hard about it.

bedbugbilly · January 23, 2014, 11:23 AM

Hmmmm . . . in the reloading world, there are those who don't pay attention to loading manuals and data . . . they always have to "push the limit". Then when they have a problem and their handgun literally explodes like a hand grenade they wonder why. And then they try and go back on the mfg. for warranty.

I've shot BP for 50 years and I have seen some foolish things done over that time . . . just because you "can" do something doesn't mean you can get away with it. Yea, the ROA is a strong built revolver . . but what does the manual say about loading chambers full of 4F. If someone is getting 1250 - 1300 fps with a soft lead round ball . . . sooner or later you're going to probably have a leading problem as well.

A person can do whatever they want to . . it's their gun and their life.

I was brought up to "use the right tool for the right job - if you need a screwdriver, don't pull a hammer out of the tool box." But that's just me . . . I was also taught to do things safely.

If I was carrying a "back up" pistol for bear hunting . . and I have bear hunted myself. . . it means that I might need to depend on it should I get in a situation where my long gun either malfunctioned or I couldn't reload in time to put the bear down due to not making a "killing shot". I love C & B revilers dearly . . . but in that situation, I'd love a good centerfire 44 mag. much more.

wap41 · January 23, 2014, 11:59 AM

If that roa is stainless it's not too bad of a price for a 7 1/2" adjustable sights.If it's 5 1/2" or fixed sight it's a great buy.But kinda high for a blued 7 1/2"adjustable sight in my opinion.

January 20, 2014, 09:16 AM	#1
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	pistol cylinder bored out? Has anyone had a pistol cylinder bored out to accept a larger powder charge?How does the larger powder charge affect the accuracy?

January 20, 2014, 10:49 AM	#2
Snyper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2013 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 3,047	It can't be done since you'd also need a larger barrel and bullet. Don't experiment with explosives you hold in your hand __________________ One shot, one kill

January 20, 2014, 04:04 PM	#9
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof I have some Classicballistix cylinders that give about 5 gr more than the factory cylinder and are actually a slightly tighter fit; cylinder gap on mine are 004 as opposed to .006-008 on my factory cylinders. I've used mine for coup de gras shots on deer during b/p season here in Ky, which the ROA is legal for deer here, but I haven't gotten a <50yd shot to try it yet. 40 gr of 777 behind a 250gr flatnose works great, but for bear I'd rather trust something with magnum pressure and large caliber.

January 20, 2014, 04:51 PM	#10
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	At .457... I find that my accuracy drops off if I go too high in powder. Going to a larger ball or bullet possibly would stand more powder. Then of course, other pistols might shoot different from mine. My guess is that Clements improves performance in one way or another but I haven't a clue as to how or what. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

January 22, 2014, 08:29 PM	#15
Chestnut Forge Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Location: Polk, Pa Posts: 123	My father-in-law shoots 40gr of 4f in a ROA. It really lets you know it went off. We haven't run it past the chronograph yet but I'm guessing its up there. __________________ Every gun I've been behind can out shoot me.

January 20, 2014, 10:54 AM	#3
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	I guess I put it wrong I meant having the cylinders bored deeper to accept more powder

January 20, 2014, 11:21 AM	#4
Kappe Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 149	What sixgun are you shooting that needs more powder capacity?

January 20, 2014, 11:36 AM	#5
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	i am thinking about using one of my ruger old army's.What I have in mind is using it as a back up side arm for hunting which would include black bear.

January 20, 2014, 11:50 AM	#6
Kappe Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 149	The amount of extra powder you could fit in by relieving the back of the chamber would be negligible and do who knows what for structural integrity. I would advise you to look into 777 and loads for it instead.

January 20, 2014, 12:28 PM	#7
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	Dave Clements noted gunsmith makes 50cal's out of ROA's also reams out cylinders to accept 7grs more powder.Just would like to find out results of being done.

January 20, 2014, 12:45 PM	#8
enyaw Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2008 Posts: 134	I've read that fer larger game the ft/lbs min. is like 500Ft/lbs. I like to adhere to that. I would be easier to get "sorta close" to that with smokeless and a conversion cylinder and pick a load from the loading manual that gives the most ft.lbs. If you just want the pistol for the "coup de grais" then a stout ball load with black would do it right up close. You might hunt bears with a cap&baller if you were after bears the size of coyote. If you were talking bout using a Blackhawk or better yet a Super Blackhawk Ruger that would be better.

January 22, 2014, 05:29 PM	#11
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy I cannot imagine why anybody would want to use a Cap & Ball revolver as a backup weapon when hunting potentially dangerous game.

January 22, 2014, 06:08 PM	#12
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	Colt Walkers can be loaded up to close to a 44 mag performance

January 22, 2014, 07:33 PM	#13
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	It's not a matter of power, it's a matter of reliability. Have you ever had a cap jam? That's why cartridge revolvers were developed. Do you want to have a cap jam, or a cap fall off, or fail to fire when a bear is charging you?

January 22, 2014, 08:21 PM	#14
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	1st of all it would not be my primary weapon,I'd be using a 50/150 inline if I was after bear.2nd of all if a cap fell off 1/2 sec to fire the next round would not alarm me.Not everyone needs a 375 H&H mag to hunt rabbits.

January 22, 2014, 08:57 PM	#16
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	chestnut forge Thats the type of info I'm looking for.Wow 40grs of 4f,I'm sure thats pushing it atleast 1250-1300 fps.How accurate is it at that rate?

January 22, 2014, 09:08 PM	#17
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	I guess you've never had a spent cap fall down inside the mechanism and jam the whole gun up. I have. I sure wouldn't want to have an angry bruin charging me if I had a cap jam. Cap & Ball is fun when your life does not depend on it. I'll stick with cartridges when the chips are down. Last edited by Driftwood Johnson; January 22, 2014 at 09:20 PM.

January 22, 2014, 09:35 PM	#18
North East Redneck Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2012 Location: Berkshire Hills Posts: 741	ROA for bear? Think I'd pass on that. Many better guns are available. Ruger offers centerfire revolvers that hit harder and are always going to go bang. Handgunning bear? Yes. With an ROA? If that was the only gun available and a threat or hunger where my motivation. Other than that, I think there are better guns available. __________________ NRA Patron Member SAF Life Member GOAL Member

January 23, 2014, 12:06 AM	#19
Captainkirk Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Posts: 144	Is there a reason you want to use a C&B? Just asking, because I wouldn't. Bears are not known for being mild-mannered WITHOUT a bullet hole in their ribs. Frankly, I would carry nothing less than my Super Blackhawk in .44 and I'd be pretty nervous then, being a SA. But, that's just me..... __________________ "You gonna pull those pistols, or whistle Dixie?"

January 23, 2014, 06:34 AM	#20
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Well... There might be a good reason to use an ROA.... When the charging bear sees it, he might stop and exclaim, " Dag! An ROA!, Wanna sell it?!" __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

January 23, 2014, 08:08 AM	#21
Chestnut Forge Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Location: Polk, Pa Posts: 123	wap41 It is not bad. 3 inches at 50 yards off a bench. But the FIL is a real pistol shooter. He won a lot of matches. Once, there were some guys tearing down a house. They were waiting on the power company to cut the electric lines. FIL cut the line for them with a Smith model 29. 4 shots, 3 wires. The ROA will handle any amount of commercial black powder that will fit in the chambers. __________________ Every gun I've been behind can out shoot me.

January 23, 2014, 10:30 AM	#22
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	Doc Doc you're absolutely right,I never saw a ROA that I didn't want to buy.

January 23, 2014, 10:44 AM	#23
Chestnut Forge Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2013 Location: Polk, Pa Posts: 123	Local gun shop has one NIB for $600. I've thought hard about it. __________________ Every gun I've been behind can out shoot me.

January 23, 2014, 11:23 AM	#24
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Hmmmm . . . in the reloading world, there are those who don't pay attention to loading manuals and data . . . they always have to "push the limit". Then when they have a problem and their handgun literally explodes like a hand grenade they wonder why. And then they try and go back on the mfg. for warranty. I've shot BP for 50 years and I have seen some foolish things done over that time . . . just because you "can" do something doesn't mean you can get away with it. Yea, the ROA is a strong built revolver . . but what does the manual say about loading chambers full of 4F. If someone is getting 1250 - 1300 fps with a soft lead round ball . . . sooner or later you're going to probably have a leading problem as well. A person can do whatever they want to . . it's their gun and their life. I was brought up to "use the right tool for the right job - if you need a screwdriver, don't pull a hammer out of the tool box." But that's just me . . . I was also taught to do things safely. If I was carrying a "back up" pistol for bear hunting . . and I have bear hunted myself. . . it means that I might need to depend on it should I get in a situation where my long gun either malfunctioned or I couldn't reload in time to put the bear down due to not making a "killing shot". I love C & B revilers dearly . . . but in that situation, I'd love a good centerfire 44 mag. much more. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

January 23, 2014, 11:59 AM	#25
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	chestnut forge If that roa is stainless it's not too bad of a price for a 7 1/2" adjustable sights.If it's 5 1/2" or fixed sight it's a great buy.But kinda high for a blued 7 1/2"adjustable sight in my opinion.