38 special conversion in 1861 navy

[brpc]

I am considering acquiring an 1861 Navy and installing a conversion cylinder.  I have been told that the replica barrels are .375 in size.  Would this constitute an accuracy problem for normal .358 lead 38 special bullets?

[AtlLaw]

Seemed so to me...    I abandoned the idea of getting a conversion cylinder for that very reason.

I believe I was told the conversions that come that way from the factory have the correct diameter barrel.  But I can't say for sure from personal knowledge... 

[Cuts Crooked]

When using a conversion cylinder in a 61 Navy, I've read that it's best to use hollow base wad cutters that will expand to fill the bore. Most outfits selling factory made conversions are aready barreled for the 38 Special so you don't need to go the hollow base route.

[coyotejoe]

Seemed so to me...    I abandoned the idea of getting a conversion cylinder for that very reason.

I believe I was told the conversions that come that way from the factory have the correct diameter barrel.  But I can't say for sure from personal knowledge... 

Correct and correct AtLaw. A .357" bullet will fall through the barrel of most .36 C&B revolvers. The options are to use hollow based bullets which MAY expand like a minie ball to fill the grooves and give some semblance of accuracy or do as the original .38 Colt loads, use a heeled bullet of .375" diameter up front and stepped down at the rear to enter the cartridge case. To use heeled bullets you must first assure that the cylinder is chambered straight through like the original .38 Colt cylinders, without a throat which steps down from cartridge case diameter to bullet diameter. You can buy the heeled cast bullets online but you'll also need special loading dies and a hand crimper to crimp the case onto the bullet heel.
 If you buy a Uberti Richards/Mason conversion it will have a .357" bore and shoot as accurately as any modern revolver. The .38 caliber "Conversions" are nice guns but the .45 Calibers are built on a larger frame with a larger and heavier cylinder than the original 1860 Colts and it rather spoils the slim lines which make the 1860 so sexy.

[madcratebuilder]

What coyotejoe said.  A conversion cylinder in a .36 C&B really should include a reline of the barrel.  The Uberti R-M revolver looks like a good way to go.  I may have to acquire one of those someday.

[P.A. Myers]

My 1862 snub is a 36 with a R&D .38 cylinder. Yes, the barrel is a bit large. Actual comparison is about .006-.007 too big. I have shot about 500 rounds of HBWC with it and have recovered many bullets. The base does expand to obturate well [plug] and the rifling is well engraved. Barroom accuracy, pieplate @ 25 feet. The other gun is a 45.