General discussion > Black Powder Shooting
Sealing round grooves
hortonstn:
Thanks for the advise
Paul
rich pierce:
--- Quote from: Scota4570 on November 26, 2021, 12:48:18 AM ---I had a round bottom 45 caliber barrel. The grooves were 0.016 deep and about 50/50 width ratio with the lands. It shoot poorly. No patch and ball comb helped. That includes loads that required a heavy steel ramrod. I tried thick cushion was under the patched ball too. Nothing worked. I scrapped the barrel, that was an effective solution to the problem.
I do not think it is an issue with the shape of the grooves. I think the grooves are too deep and too narrow. A loadable combination that gets enough compression in the center of the grooves is not possible. If they were made wider and not so deep I bet they would shoot.
To go to another extreme I have used 45 cal cartridge gun blanks to make MLs. The grooves are only 0.004" deep (only 1/4 the depth of the round bottom barrels). They have all shot very accurately.
Others have other, equally valid opinions and experiences.
--- End quote ---
I can take that barrel and cut 0.005” off the lands with a freshing rod and I bet it will shoot.
recurve:
Getz round bottom rifling with .020 denim 490 ball open sights 50 yrds
Bobby Hoyt round bottom rifleing 50 above 54 below same patch 50 yrds
recurve:
green mtn square bottom rifleing 50 & 100yrds w peep sight same patch and ball as my round botom above
WadePatton:
--- Quote from: rich pierce on November 26, 2021, 06:25:02 PM ---
--- Quote from: Scota4570 on November 26, 2021, 12:48:18 AM ---I had a round bottom 45 caliber barrel. The grooves were 0.016 deep and about 50/50 width ratio with the lands. It shoot poorly. No patch and ball comb helped. That includes loads that required a heavy steel ramrod. I tried thick cushion was under the patched ball too. Nothing worked. I scrapped the barrel, that was an effective solution to the problem.
I do not think it is an issue with the shape of the grooves. I think the grooves are too deep and too narrow. A loadable combination that gets enough compression in the center of the grooves is not possible. If they were made wider and not so deep I bet they would shoot.
To go to another extreme I have used 45 cal cartridge gun blanks to make MLs. The grooves are only 0.004" deep (only 1/4 the depth of the round bottom barrels). They have all shot very accurately.
Others have other, equally valid opinions and experiences.
--- End quote ---
I can take that barrel and cut 0.005” off the lands with a freshing rod and I bet it will shoot.
--- End quote ---
This would be the next option I'd consider. Let Rich tune it up.
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