How to Slug a Rifle Bore

In this episode, we'll slug the bore of a rare Winchester in order to find the bore diameter. We'll be using that information to decide the diameter of bullets to use as we work towards shooting this long barreled, half octagon Winchester 1895.

[@atvdanny2684]

You single handedly brought my 303 groups down 2 inches

[@deniscleaver7544]

Thank you for your efforts in making this available for us bullet casters and old time rifle shooters.

[@thecinnabar8442]

You're very welcome Denis!

[@Karthage922]

Got here because I wanted to check the bore on my 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, thanks for the video!

[@errolpoxleitner9586]

Thanks I didn't know these things about the old guns.

[@chrislang5659]

Can't wait for the shooting video!

[@patmurphy3410]

Good tips! Thank you 😁

[@landonbelcher4409]

Another great video this man knows his stuff in guns I hope people pay attention and learn things. I also hope this channel will blow up and more people will find it I have learned a lot in only a couple of days watching

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks for the compliment and thanks for watching the channel!

[@titanbluestreak8709]

Good video Mark.

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks Mark!

[@jeffe.9904]

I came across your video recently at just the right time. I recently purchased an original Hi-Wall in 45-70, and since I cast my own bullets, I really wanted to slug the barrel but wasn't exactly sure how to do it. However, your video showed me how and it worked out perfectly! Thanks Cinnabar. 👍🏻

[@thecinnabar8442]

That's great Jeff! I'm glad it helped you out.

[@JoeRiordon]

Appreciate your videos and your knowledge sharing!

[@banjowoodsman7675]

Great video, many thanks.

[@thecinnabar8442]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Leverguns50]

Great information, I found the softer bullets do better in those older guns, because they swage out When fired and fill the bore better

[@kencurtis508]

Great video, I use a 255 gr. Bullet from an old win. Mold sized to .380” and it works just fine. Thanks for sharing.

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks Ken

[@reecer6317]

Thanks for the great video, I’m gonna try it on an old GEW 98 Mauser tonight

[@thecinnabar8442]

Your welcome!

[@bradd8081]

Hey Mark Good video. I'm glad to see that the groove diameter came out .379 on your rifle, that being the same as what we've found in period Winchester specs and some of the older books. Thanks again to you and 'Uncle" Tim for your help with the Model 1895 book!

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks Brad. I should have double checked the barrel section of your excellent book on 95's. It's no wonder that off-brand factory ammo loaded with .377 bullets never shot worth a hoot. We'll be pulling those and throwing them in the casting pot in a future episode.🙂

[@j.r.1223]

@@thecinnabar8442 I really enjoy the Winchester Model 1895 book! I live in N. AZ. But make my way to Tucson and the Phx Valley for work, but also making a point to go different (older) gun stores. -Fun

[@davidgardner863]

Meister Bullets Inc. makes slugging kits that cover a wide variety of bore sizes.

[@davidgardner863]

I have a George C. Schoyen barrel with 7 grooves. How do you measure the slug with an odd number of grooves?

[@jayriddler7453]

Schoyen liked lots rifling I have a Schoyen marked Highwall, the barrel appears to be have started life in a Ballard and that was reboard

[@gtc1961]

Very, very helpful! I have to say, I cringed a bit when you leaned that very expensive rifle on the bench....I was waiting for it to fall over. DAMHIKT.....

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Great information!👍🏾😀❤️🇺🇸

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks Jeffry

[@j.r.1223]

Wow! Nice.

[@gaggle111]

I was going to go to the trouble of cleaning the lead alloy from my lead pot. Then casting larger bullets from pure lead. Then I watched your video grabbed a .440 lead ball and had a slug in a couple of minutes. Ive got to buy some 36 caliber round balls to do an 8mm rifle but very fast and easy. Thank You.

[@robertdunbar5854]

Great instructional video ! I really like the detail you go into. Need to slug a '86 40-82 wcf but wasn't sure best way. Now I know. Please do video on casting sizing and chootin that beautiful '95. Thanks.

[@thecinnabar8442]

Keep an eye out for those episodes. They'll be coming soon.

[@scotty3114]

I really like your videos. They are informative, teach useful information and are to the point. Kudos, sir!

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thank you very much, Scotty!

[@terryqueen3233]

And that is the ticket to have the right tools and equipment which is sometimes pretty hard to come by this day and time

[@2541968joey]

Very well done video, just good information, thanks

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@jimhobson9268]

Great video. Just what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@usnchief1339]

Excellent video! I'm going to try this on my Savage 99.

[@phishno2767]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is just what i needed to know. I wanted to learn how to cast bullets, and the point most experienced bullet casters provided to me was the need to know the groove diameter of the bore, but previously couldn't find out much about it and had little interest in pouring molten metal (don't care if it does have a low melting point!) down the bore of my new rifle. Going to hit that Subscribe button right now...👏👏👏

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Excellent information, thanks for this instructional method, could come in handy.

[@ricktaylor5744]

Thank you very much for the information. that is a great trick using a soft round ball rolling it down to size. Thank you for all you do. I really enjoy your channel.

[@jerriwebb8031]

great video

[@khester7397]

Thank you.

[@thecinnabar8442]

You're very welcome! Glad you liked it.

[@MrHeavylead]

exactly the video I was after for my 38-72 1895. Please let me know the combo that works for your '95 I would be very curious since I have had nothing but tumbling issues forever on mine.

[@tomottmar7554]

I do have original win 3872 mold and hand tools if you ever wish to try it old school

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks Tom. That would make a great episode!

[@joefeury1218]

Thanks very much,,, I have to slug a Winchester 38 55,,

[@billrea66]

I just bought a 40/65 Scheutzen . Reloading ( Lyman ) casts are either .408/.409 . The seller said I need to slug barrel ? He sells 260gr in .406 diam. Ordered 200 any ways . Get rifle tomorrow then I'll figure how to ...Good vid Sir.

[@davidgardner863]

How do you measure a bore with an odd number of grooves? I have a barrel with a 7 groove bore by George C Schoyen. Meister Bullets makes slugging kits to cover just about every bore size.

[@j.r.1223]

I have my Grt Grnd Fthr's 30WCF, apparently built around 1910. I killed my 1st two deer (blk tails) (30 yrs ago) with it, my 1st. Blk bear and just this wknd put down a 450lb beef, w/a 150gr Rem Corelok to the rear of the skull. -Fun. Really neat channel!

[@thecinnabar8442]

Thanks J.R.! Those guns that have been passed down through families are priceless. It's wonderful that you have that piece of your family's history.

[@brianlee6849]

Excellent 👍. What velocity do you get out of the 38-72? Thanks

[@thecinnabar8442]

I'm going to make a couple more episodes in this series. We'll cast and size bullets in the next episode and then work up some loads to take to the range and check accuracy and velocity. I typically don't push the 38-72 or 40-72 much because they didn't come with nickel steel barrels (except by special order). With this one, I'll shoot for loads in the 1,400 - 1,500 fps range and try to find the load it likes best.

[@brianlee6849]

@@thecinnabar8442 Ok cool looking forward to those videos. Thanks 👍

[@mikeclogston1860]

I see you like vintage rifles. What do you know about 300 Savage model 99? I would like some info on reforming 308 in to 300 Savage. Or is this something I shouldn't do?

[@endutubecensorship]

Hello Mark, could someone use a heavy duty cleaning rod like a Dewey for this or are wooden dowel sections the best practice?

[@thecinnabar8442]

I don't think it would damage the gun, but it might damage the rod. Sometimes, it takes a pretty good pounding to get the slug started.

[@endutubecensorship]

@@thecinnabar8442 Understood, thank you very much for your reply Mark. Don't ever change, you make outstanding content!!🤠

[@j.r.1223]

Is the carbine on the wall an original or replica? Or would you own a replica? Thanks for posting.

[@thecinnabar8442]

The carbine on the wall is a relic that my grandfather lost in a house fire with a bunch of other guns in the 1940's. When I was much younger, I found some cheap wood for it and fit it very poorly to the gun to make it a wall hanger. The only replica I own is the Uberti Cattleman clone of a Colt single action army that I carry in some of the episodes. I like some of the other replicas, but I really prefer have the originals. Thanks for watching!

[@landonbelcher4409]

Do you know any were to look online for old guns

[@thecinnabar8442]

I rarely buy guns off the internet anymore, but I keep an eye on GunBroker and Guns International, as well as the major auction sites.

[@olhemi1]

🙂👍☕

[@prestonmonaghan499]

Paper patch the bullets