.38-50 Hepburn

[JKR]

I just ordered one of those chamfering tools with the long taper, thinking that would work better. Haven’t got it yet. I needed a new one anyway. Your long tapered reamer is a even better solution. My case mouth peeling is minimal but I can feel it when pulling a dental pick over it. I’m thinking it’s not good to tighten it on a paper patch.
JKR

[Distant Thunder]

Arnie,

I have been running my cleaned cases up into an expander die before I "ream" the necks mostly to ensure they are round, but it does "smooth out" at least some of the peening.

I think a bottleneck case like the .44-77 has more initial pressure than a straight walled case like the .45-70 or .45-90 where things begin to move quickly and without much resistance. That makes paper rings more of a problem for the .44-77. The steps I've taken to avoid them have made it so they are at least rare.

[GrumpyBear]

Arnie,

I have been running my cleaned cases up into an expander die before I "ream" the necks mostly to ensure they are round, but it does "smooth out" at least some of the peening.

I think a bottleneck case like the .44-77 has more initial pressure than a straight walled case like the .45-70 or .45-90 where things begin to move quickly and without much resistance. That makes paper rings more of a problem for the .44-77. The steps I've taken to avoid them have made it so they are at least rare.

Jim, I have been looking for a solution to the peening issue also, and it definitely seems to help running the cases into the expander a couple of times, but I would be interested in the tapered reamer, manufacturer and reamer number.

[Distant Thunder]

Bear,

I'll look, but since I have had it for 20-25 years and it was purchased for a one time use it is just a cheap foreign made reamer and I doubt there is anything on it to identify it. I very likely ordered it from MSC.

[Distant Thunder]

GB,
It just says "1/2 HS Yugoslavia". It tapers from .461" to .437" in the 2 1/2" flute length and is 6" OAL. It has a pilot on the tip, but that may well be something I added so it would track true in the drilled hole. I my experience taper reamers can have some "spin drift" if not piloted.
That's all I can tell you. It laid in the "Special Reamers" box for years and I have long since forgotten what job we used it for.\
You should be able to find something similar I would think.

[Kurt]

I use one of these RCBS debuting reamers from Brownells 749-001-843WB
VLD DEBURRING TOOL
Mfr Part: 935

I have one on the case prep station and the second I use with a drill so I can run it backwards to t=straighten a dropped case mouth and it wont cut. If I trim the cases I use the long tapered reamer and just lightly put a chamfer on the case mouth. Just enough to clean the burr off.
RCBS also has a handle you can screw this reamer in and use it for a hand tool.
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/cas ... 0302008005

[Distant Thunder]

I will add that my reamer has straight flutes.

I took a quick look at MSC, there 27 pages of tapered reamers! I saw nothing like this exactly. It depends on what caliber you're doing but there may be a size that would work.

[Distant Thunder]

I have a Lyman chamfer tool that screws into a handle. It is probably 10 to 15 degrees included angle. While that is better than a 45 degree tool you still have to be careful not to over chamfer.

I found this reamer when I was moving things to my new shop and the thought just sort of popped into my head! It work well for me. This is one of the reasons I never throw anything away. It's also the reason I had some much junk to sort through and throw out when I moved it all. $0 years worth of stuff,some good and some worthless. I had to remove every last piece of it from my old building and fit what I could into a building 1/4 the size.

[Kurt]

I pulled my .44-77 Farmer out of the iron jail today and went to the range during thunder showers. Lately I been getting a little discouraged with the .38-50 after a bad match results with it and on and off results that range covering 5 or more shots at 200 you can cover with a halve dollar to being unable to keep them on printer paper with the same loads and conditions the next time out.
I don't know what is going on with this Hep for sure. I blame my vision mostly that has gone down hill or if something is going on with the rifle. I even switched the scope thinking maybe something got loose inside but no change.
Shooting the Farmer sure made me feel better after 38 rounds fired not seeing the same poor looking target and also I noticed that it has more recoil than what I been shooting all summer
I think I will use Farmer at Alma for the last match of the season there.
I just ordered a couple .38-50 Reamers and looking for a barrel.

Kurt

[GrumpyBear]

Thanks Jim.