Re-chamber question

[jls]

I've been toying with the idea of running out the chamber on my BC 45-70 to 45-120. Is it more feasable to chuck everything in a lathe or just turn it by hand. It seems like a fair amount of metal to do manually but as usual I rely on the Handi pros to steer me in the right direction. I have 32" of barrel whispering " more, give me more"   Thanx guys!!

[trotterlg]

You will end up with a much better chamber if you turn the barrel around the reamer rather than turn the reamer in the barrel.  Larry

[quickdtoo]

There's no doubt that a lathe rechambered barrel done by skilled hands is the better option, but a decent chamber can be achieved by hand reaming if you take your time and don't apply side pressure on the reamer while doing the work, there have been several members here that have done their 45-70 to 45-120 by hand, rechambered help can be found in the FAQs.  I had one of my 45-70 BCs done by a local smith that I wish I had never met, he did the chamber fine, but he buggered the barrel finish and sight up while he had it, wish I had just done it myself, I can do and have done better work than he did, have rechambered a bunch of barrels by hand, all shoot excellent.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,163193.msg1098734455.html#msg1098734455

[knight0334]

I hand turned my 45-120 over the course of 2-3 hours.  Saved machinist/smith costs..

It probably would have taken less time, but my arm got sore after few turns(due to motorcycle accident many years before) and had to take cigarette breaks.

[briannmilewis]

I hand turned my 45-120 over the course of 2-3 hours.  Saved machinist/smith costs..

It probably would have taken less time, but my arm got sore after few turns(due to motorcycle accident many years before) and had to take cigarette breaks.

And I thought I had heard every excuse for a smoke break!!!!!

[bikerbeans]

jls,

A lathe would be the preferred method if cost isn't an issue.  With that said you can do well reaming the 45-70 to 45-120 by hand.  You just need to take your time, which shouldn't be an issue since they normally give  you 10 days rental on a reamer.  I am not a gunsmith and I don't play one on TV but I hand reamed my BC to 45-120, the first chamber I ever reamed.  Only problem I have is too deep a rim cut and that was courtesy of Wesson & Harrington when they did the original chamber.  I have no problems with ejection or out of round brass and the gun will shoot MOA @ 100 yards with jacketed ammo so I am happy.  Just remember, the main reason to ream to 45-120 is when folks at the range ask you what you are shooting you can hand them a loaded round.

BB

[AtlLaw]

Yup, what everybody else said!     I did mine and it shoots very well thank you!   

[bajabill]

jls,

 Just remember, the main reason to ream to 45-120 is when folks at the range ask you what you are shooting you can hand them a loaded round.

BB

This is why I punched mine out to 45-90, and I also think I can shoot 45-70 in it still without too much bullet jump. 

I have done 3 different barrels, 357mag - 357max, 44mag - 445sm, and the 45/70 - 45/90.  The first one was the 357 and it went so fast I thought I had to do something wrong.  Then, on the 45-90, I did not ever think I would finish.  Bigger bore means more metal to remove.

[jls]

Thanks guys, when venturing into uncharted waters I want to get as much feedback/ advice as I can  before jumping in. Ordered a reamer from 4-d  so I got seven days to take my time and do it right. Mucho grassy ass !