11 degree forcing cone on New Vaquero?

[DMF38]

     I've always heard that an 11 degree forcing cone helps with accuracy and reduces leading.  I have a Ruger New Vaquero which has a factory 5 degree forcing cone, I believe.  Is it possible/practical to put an 11 degree cone on this?  Would it cause a problem by creating double-angle forcing cone?  Or would the new cone have to be cut too wide on the face in order to get rid of the original forcing cone?  I'd appreciate any insight.

[gunnut69]

Sorry but I am not an expert here but Brownells clearly states that if a 5 degree throat is present it cannot be cut to 11 or 18 degrees without oversizing the throat or creating a double angle throat. Of course that dismisses the possibility of setting the barrel back. Why were you contemplating the change in throating?

[DMF38]

     I seem to get a lot of leading in the forcing cone, but I'm not sure if it's any more than it's supposed to be.  I use a Lewis Lead remover.   From what I've read, I wondered if an 11 degree forcing cone would reduce the leading and increase accuracy.  I don't really have any accuracy problems now though.  I use .452 hardcast lead bullets with a Brinnell hardness of 19.   And I realize now that I can't make an 11 degree forcing cone anyway, since it already has a 5 degree forcing cone.

[MSP Ret]

What is it about this 11 degree number that always seems to come up regarding gunsmithing and firearms? For many years I have heard that 11 degree's is the optimum angle for the best achieveable accuracy when recrowning a muzzle.....<><.... 

[7x57mm]

Okay, I'll bite. What is a forcing cone and what is its purpose?

[gunnut69]

The forcing cone is a taper cut into the rear of the barrel of a revolver. It solves any small misalignments aafter the bullet has jumped into the bore. The angle of the forcing cone can affect accuracy with different bullets and leaning to a degree. As to the leading in the barrel immediately in front of the forcing cone, you may want to chech the diameter of the bare where it is screwed into the frame. The compression of the barrel at this point can cause a 'choking' effect on the bore and increase the leading potential. A crown is a shaped muzzel that is such that it helps protect the terminus of the rifling. The 11 degree crown is said to be the result of the use of bottail bullets for some target shooting and the perception that such angle will improve the shooting of those bullets. It is simply a coning of the end of the barrel such that the bore is recessed and the angle of the recess is 11 degrees from the plane of the muzzle end of the barrel.