Lee PrecisionInline FabricationMidSouth Shooters SupplyTitan Reloading
Reloading EverythingLoad DataRotoMetals2Repackbox
Wideners
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: fun with the rifling machine

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    2,732

    fun with the rifling machine

    About 40 years ago Dixie had a bunch of smooth bore barrel about 43 caliber. They were only $10 each so I bought a few. After seeing the Whitworth rifle I thought it would be a good idea to try making one. So trying to figure out the hex bore was fun, seems the flats are 1/2 the bore diameter. Easy enough, just make a cutter box at bore diameter and a cutter at half the bore diameter wide. Now to figure out how to make a bullet mold.

    hex bore.pdf

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    4,610
    What Twist did you cut the rifling to ?
    What weight of boolits do you intend to shoot out of this barrel ?

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    SE WV
    Posts
    6,216
    A creative person who has tools can keep themselves entertained endlessly! Good work.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    2,732
    Quote Originally Posted by LAGS View Post
    What Twist did you cut the rifling to ?
    What weight of boolits do you intend to shoot out of this barrel ?
    I was thinking that it would be close to a 45-70 so I made the twist 1 in 22". The original whitworth was 1 in 20. I made one 48" long and another about a foot long for a pistol, most likely both will be under hammers if I ever get time. The long barrel didn't cut as smooth and will require lapping or lots of shooting. Might take a shot piece and make a sizing die and just push 458 boolits through, save the trouble of making a mold.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    elk hunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Central Oregon
    Posts
    1,540
    The whole project sounds like fun. Challenges keep the mind active and healthy. My first thought on how to make bullets wasn't a mould but an old time a two piece hammer swage. Again just a quick thought: a separate nose section made on the lathe and the body portion cavity cut with a broach or possibly on the shaper. I'd have to think a bit more on the possibilities of a mould.

    I would love to see your solution.
    BIG OR SMALL I LIKE THEM ALL, 577 TO 22 HORNET.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    754
    I've seen people get good accuracy using a round boolit in a hex bore, but I think this is more about the challenge.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    5,283
    elk hunter; Bullets as you describe have been made in South Africa. I had one long ago and have no idea where it is now. Leading tip was bronze turned & fitted to a poured base. Was told (for what's that's worth) it was meant for dangerous game where penetration was a desired factor. It was a big caliber with a somewhat flared skirt base. Wish I had more info for you.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check