Author Topic: chamber polishing by DIY gunsmith  (Read 783 times)

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Offline swifty

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chamber polishing by DIY gunsmith
« on: April 17, 2005, 05:40:13 AM »
I have a NEF?H&R Buffalo Clasic 45-70 and a 38-55 barrel for the same gun.
I suspect the chamber is a bit rough. How does the DIY person accomplish this at home. These are sturdy guns but lacking in finishing.
The price was great and offer an inexpensive way to get into BPCR.

Offline John Traveler1

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chamber polishing
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2005, 11:32:30 AM »
swifty,

No secrets to chamber polishing.

First make sure that you need it!  Does the chamber have visible reamer  marks (rings)?  Do you have annular rings on your fired brass?  Are fired cases difficult to extract?  If the answer to most or all of these is YES, then a little chamber polishing will only improve your rifle.

Use a 3/8" or 1/2" plastic or wooden dowel to back up the polishing media.  Saw a slot lengthwise on the dowel.  Wrap very fine wet-or-dry sandpaper (600 grit) in strips long enough to cover the entire chamber while you work.  It's safest to do this by hand, but after gaining a feel, you can CAREFULLY use a slow drill motor, lathe, or drill press for this.  Carefull in-and-out motions combined with rotating motions does the trick.

The object is to only POLISH, and not to enlarge the chamber.  Only a couple minutes of this is needed.  Work slowly, until the bulk of the chambering tool marks are gone.  Be carefull not to enlarge the front of the chamber or the bullet seat area.  Follow up by this using crocus cloth, and you will have a chamber that shines!

Test firing should produce easier extraction, and no chamber marks on your brass.

Offline swifty

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chamber polishing
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2005, 11:44:48 AM »
Thanks for the help. I have 600 grit wet and dry as well as some crocus cloth. Thanks for your help.

Offline hubel458

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chamber polishing by DIY gunsmith
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2005, 05:20:33 PM »
In my long straight cases I cut a slot in a case.
One side of case and put one edge paper in it and go around with two wraps.Drill out primer hole for
a 1/4 in bolt and lock bolt in it with nut, and use long bolt
and weld T handle on bolt.use lathe to hold barrel so as not to spin too fast.The two wraps of emery paper will make it big enough so you won't work
the neck area.Being case is matching chamber taper
you can do smooth straight polishing job.Ed.