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A problem that I ran across many years ago fitting anew 45 ACP cyl- 90 Grain Service Ri le Bullets The 90 grain Very Low Drag bullets Joe Carlos has written about have been produced in some fashion since around 1998 for Match Rifle in use at High Power Rifle Across the Course competition. Around 2000 John Holliger of White Oak Precision paid Pac-Nor Barreling to produce a 1:6.5" twist button in the hopes that he could get them to shoot out of Service Rifle AR-15s.

The investment paid inder to a blackpowder Colt SAA frame was a bolt stop that was larger than the corresponding bolt cut in the cylinder. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but in retrospect it probably should not have happened. The Colt’s bolt stop was removed and polished. The bolt was simply too wide.

I later searched for oversize bolt stops and could not find one, although I suppose Colt production simply included larger bolt stops in some cases. off and early shooters like Jeff Rost started to post big scores at 600 and 1000 yards. In 2002, Chris Hatcher of the Army Marksmanship Unit shot the first clean score at a Long Range (1,000 yards) match with the 90 grain JLK VLD from JLK Bullets at the Interservice matches.

John Scandale followed that up with a win at the Nationals that same year, taking the Porter Trophy at Camp Perry shooting JLK 90s. One experienced gunsmith felt the cylinder’s wobble was a factor. Certainly food for thought. It may be the bolt is causing a problem rather than the hand so be certain to check this out before filing the hand. If the cylinder has free play, a shim may cure the problem. Power Custom makes good shims. If the hand is too short, fitting another is the best solution.

A stop gap that works for non-critical use is to remove the hand and peen it on an anvil. When it is properly done the hand is longer and will resume function. A good test is to remove the cylinder and slowly work the action while watching for movement in the bolt stop as the hammer is cocked and lowered. An experienced gunsmith told me that a cylinder that wobbles fails to hold the cases securely and the crimp may not hold the bullet in the cartridge case. With this revolver we experienced just that problem.

Fitting the cylinder seems to have solved the issue. Only thorough testing with live fire will confirm. AG There were a cluster of us shooting the 90s around 1998 through the early 2000s, both Match and Service rifles. I had a ringside seat to the development of the 90 grain AR Service Rifle round and have two of the early 6.5 twist barrels that Holliger produced. One is set up with a strain pressure rig. We established early on that you can get good velocities out of a 20" barrel with sane pressures.

My recollection on the chronology of Sierra and Berger entering the fray is a bit different. I believe Sierra came first but not many used them because their BC was not great, and there was no benefit. Berger was later and by then most everyone I know had given up shooting 90s. I’m curious if there are/were any hard holders winning with the gain twist barrels? Most of the hardguns I know are now shooting 308 Winchester again out of M110 or M14 for Long Range Service Rifle matches.

Can you quantify your success on target with the 90s? 600 or 1000 yard groups? Scores? Joe Carlos responds. Thanks for clearing up these dates for me! Early 90 grain Sierra Match Kings were prone to blowing up mid air but they’re now dependable and have a ballistic coefficient of 0.563. It is factory pointed and is easy to get to shoot. I believe that bullet is loaded to AR-15 magazine length by Federal for the 224 Valkyrie.

I have also been successful in getting both the Sierra and Berger match 90s to shoot in the 22 Nosler at speeds about 150 feet per second higher than the 223 Remington. JLK Bullets no longer offers a 90 grain .224 bullet and the stated reason for them dropping it was lack of jackets for them. In early 2018 Sierra introduced a 95 grain .224 Match- King with an even higher ballistic coefficient of 0.600. There has never been a better time to try 90s, assuming you have a 1:6.5" twist barrel.

I am having great success with Bartlein gain twist 20" Service Rifle barrels that have a starting twist of 1:13 in front of the chamber, doubling to 1:6.5 at the muzzle. You asked about groups. When gain twist barrels come in my shop they first go through a very thorough break in, then are machine rest tested for ten-shot groups. Those groups are filed in a loose leaf binder and go to Perry with me. (Bldg. 910-A on Commercial Row) during the CMP National Matches.

This allows shooters can come in my shop and sit down with my binder and pick our their own sub-minute barrel. Likewise for complete uppers. Chris Furuya Supershot Cylinder I have an Iver Johnson Supershot Sealed Eight revolver chambered in 22 Long Rifle and am looking for a vendor that might help me find a cylinder for it. I have been in contact with Numrich, Jack First, and some others. Can you help me find some other outlets? From Mark Hollensen.

Try Popperts Gun Parts (Popperts Gun Parts. com, and Outback Gun Parts (OutbackGunParts.com, They may have some parts for it but there are not many parts left for that old revolver. From RK Campbell. Try Bob’s Gun Shop (Gun-Parts.com, and Ocala Armory (Ocala-Armory. com, Colt New Line A friend brought a pre-1898 Colt New Line five-shot revolver chambered in 32 Rimfire. It is nick plated and in good condition with no rust or pitting. The problem is the cylinder stop will not release, freezing the cylinder rotation.

It seems to have all its internal parts and the springs are all there. I have taken the pistol apart three times and stoned all burrs and sharp edges away, and then cleaned it with solvent and lubed it with light gun oil. Do you have any suggestions or a gunsmith you can recommend that has dealt with this problem? John C. Wallace From Mark Hollensen. Without seeing the revolver and testing it, I would ask if the bolt releases (drops down when pulling the trigger) when the cylinder is out of the way?

If it does, then this appears to be a timing issue. In other words, the hand is trying to turn the cylinder too quickly and before the trigger can move enough to get the cylinder stop down enough to release the cylinder. Again, without function testing it, I can only assume that this may be the issue. Chuck Metzler Martini Henry Restoration Can you recommend a gunsmith who is particularly qualified on the Martini Henry, both in the original 577/450 Martini-Henry and converted 303 British?

Cc Gunsmithing Michael Stryjewski From Mark Hollensen. Without knowing more about your project, Turnbull Restoration Co. (Turnbull- Restoration.com, is a great choice for vintage rifles. AG