"I will say to alter a possibly collectible drilling would be akin to a sacrilege, so think long and hard before you do anything to it. I do not believe it will harm the gun, but it will not be "original" after the reaming to .22 WMR..."
I am sorry if I offended you Drillingman, I have in the past read some of your posts and in the past have enjoyed them. As to your questions about my experience with Drilling's or Vierling's I will say it is next to nonexistent, nor did I ever say I was knowledgeable about them, especially not when compared to someone with your boundless knowledge, empathy, and compassion. I have however handled several Drillings and have long felt I would like to someday have one but do not think I ever will. I was speaking of my experience with converting an H&R .22 LR Versa Pak barrel to a .22 Mag. I bow to your extensive knowledge of all things pertaining to guns. I was referring to something I had done to one of my guns by an excellent and experienced gunsmith. A pistol "chamber" reamer is not the proper tool for the job, a rifle reamer is required. I did not have the barrel rechambered but the existing chamber reamed out. If you want to argue semantics you can call it a rechamber, it's OK with me. I mentioned the conversion from .22 LR to .22 Mag because that was being discussed, and also for some reason some unknowing persons continue to believe and repeat the unfounded and improper belief that a .22 LR rifle cannot be easily, simply, and safely converted to a .22 WMR. Those people speak foolishly about the difference of .001 as if that in itself makes to conversion impossible. Granted, not all conversions may be prudent, but that in itself is not reason enough to prevent the work. I honestly hope I did not offend your sensibilities, I think these 3 barreled guns you seem to hold in such high esteem are really great. I call them 3 barreled guns in deference to you, because I do not want to have to read your attack on my less than knowledgeable statements again. I was merely offering information on something I had done to one of my guns and how it worked out. I am sorry and apologize for offending you. All the best to you, your endless knowledge of all things concerning all guns, and your expensive guns as well....<><....
I did not want to stoop to your level but after all, we are just trying to enjoy our own hobby, to learn from one another, and to exchange thoughts and ideas here aren't we? As Rodney King once said, "Can't we all just get along?", evidently not, if something is said that is not agreed with...
P.S. - be very very careful dougk, he may turn on you if ho does not like or agree with what you say, or if have ever enjoyed an inexpensive gun....
Interesting read pertaining to the .001" difference:
"We make far too much of .001" in bullet diameter, so long as it chambers easily .001" over groove diameter is nothing. P.O.Ackley once did a pressure test with a .270 barrel. He first fired a series of shots with a certain powder charge behind a 150 grain .277" bullet and recorder pressures. He then opened the neck and throat and loaded a 150 grain .284' bullet and fired it down the .270 bore, same powder charge produced the same pressure. He then went on to .308, .312, .323, and finally .358 all fired down the .270 bore and with the largest sizes pressures became erratic but all averaged about the same as had the .277" bullet. Another gunsmith who's name I don't recall did a similar test using an old SMLE action and also came to the same conclusion, so long as the neck and throat are not too tight, even grossly oversize bullets do no harm."
I will go back to my poor mans rifle section now Drillingman, you are welcomed over there to voice your opinion anytime, and you will not be thought of badly for it, even though as you said, " I don't think someone who is running around buying H&R's knows too much about drillings and vierlings". We may be second class to you but that's better than no class. Come on over any time, all is forgiven....<><....
(And by the way, my Handi can outshoot your Vierling!!)
