Huge snow storm here in SE Massachusetts yesterday. We got 17"
Perfect day to head t9o the shop and bore the barrel of the old 1885 low wall in 32 Colt RF that I bought to convert to 32-20 CF.
First time I used the short PTG Interchangeable pilot drill bit starting at the muzzle and going all the way through. Last three relines I did I used the Brownells long bit and went in from both ends.
Everything went peachy keen! My biggest concern was breaking off the rather small thread that the extension I made required. But there were no issues. The PTG drill cut like a hot knife through butter. I had to turn a new pilot and then sand the inside of the old bore to get the pilot to fit all the way down the barrel without chattering. The pilot I ordered with the bit was way too lose. And the one I made would hang up on a couple places in the "sewer pipe" bore.
Another concern was getting enough cutting oil on the bit when inserting it so far into the hole. I set the bit up in the lathe so a flute was pointing up. Hoping this "reservoir" would carry enough oil. I also used a squirt can to shoot some oil into the bore. Maybe I'm using too much oil and all I needed to do was use a paintbrush and paint some oil in the cutting edges.....Comments please...
Sure wish I had a oil flow system on the lathe. But I'd need to be doing ab heck of a lot of these to make it wort it.
I couldn't get the barrel off this receiver and being a Low Wall I was VERY concerned about damaging the receiver even though I have a proper action wrench. Worked out fine leaving the receiver on the barrel.
Took 5 hours to bore the barrel. 75RPM and taking an 1/8" at a time.
Now I need to do the Hepburn and order the reamer....
