Throat Reaming

MSD Mike · March 8, 2011, 03:30 PM

I have a couple of .357 Blackhawk's that have throat dimensions all over the map. I intend to buy a reamer to open all the throats to .358 for better consistency and to optimize for cast bullet shooting. I notice that the reamer offered in the Brownells catalog comes with a pilot size of .354. My smallest throat is .356, will this pilot suffice or should I get the "pilot pack" Brownells offers to get a more precise fit?

Thanks
Mike

Scorch · March 8, 2011, 03:37 PM

Throat? Are you talking about reaming the chamber mouths?

MSD Mike · March 8, 2011, 03:52 PM

Yes, sorry for the terminology. I was reading the Brownell website when I posted and they describe it as a Cylinder Throat reamer.

Thanks
Mike

**Unclenick** · March 8, 2011, 05:06 PM

Yeah, you'd want the pilots for that unless you have a vertical mill and a good center finder for it. Alternately, for under $40 you can get it done at cylindersmith.com (you send them only the cylinder-they don't accept assembled firearms) or, if you send the gun back to Ruger with an accuracy complaint, they'll look the whole thing over and do the reaming for you. At least, that's what they did on a Redhawk I sent back to them. The problem is the shipping cost and not the work, in that case. Perhaps if you called them they'd let you send just the cylinder in for inspection and reaming? If so, that's nice because they refinish it in matching bluing afterward.

MSD Mike · March 8, 2011, 05:14 PM

Thanks Nick, I will get the pilots. I am aware that I can send the gun back to Ruger or have Cylindersmith do the work but I just like to do things myself. When I'm done I will have a new tool and a new skill.

Thanks
Mike

**Unclenick** · March 9, 2011, 12:38 PM

I sure understand that disease. I've got any number of tools I've only used once, but still feel better having them and knowing how to use them.

March 8, 2011, 03:30 PM	#1
MSD Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 212	Throat Reaming I have a couple of .357 Blackhawk's that have throat dimensions all over the map. I intend to buy a reamer to open all the throats to .358 for better consistency and to optimize for cast bullet shooting. I notice that the reamer offered in the Brownells catalog comes with a pilot size of .354. My smallest throat is .356, will this pilot suffice or should I get the "pilot pack" Brownells offers to get a more precise fit? Thanks Mike

March 8, 2011, 03:37 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Throat? Are you talking about reaming the chamber mouths? __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 8, 2011, 05:06 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Yeah, you'd want the pilots for that unless you have a vertical mill and a good center finder for it. Alternately, for under $40 you can get it done at cylindersmith.com (you send them only the cylinder-they don't accept assembled firearms) or, if you send the gun back to Ruger with an accuracy complaint, they'll look the whole thing over and do the reaming for you. At least, that's what they did on a Redhawk I sent back to them. The problem is the shipping cost and not the work, in that case. Perhaps if you called them they'd let you send just the cylinder in for inspection and reaming? If so, that's nice because they refinish it in matching bluing afterward. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; March 9, 2011 at 12:37 PM.

March 9, 2011, 12:38 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	I sure understand that disease. I've got any number of tools I've only used once, but still feel better having them and knowing how to use them. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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March 8, 2011, 03:52 PM	#3
MSD Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 212	Yes, sorry for the terminology. I was reading the Brownell website when I posted and they describe it as a Cylinder Throat reamer. Thanks Mike

March 8, 2011, 05:14 PM	#5
MSD Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 212	Thanks Nick, I will get the pilots. I am aware that I can send the gun back to Ruger or have Cylindersmith do the work but I just like to do things myself. When I'm done I will have a new tool and a new skill. Thanks Mike