Is Cylinder Reaming a Necessary Thing?

[fishmusic]

I understand that the cylinder bore diameters might be smaller that the barrel bore diameter and not fully engage the rifling. So far I have been using .375 balls on my Pietta Colt Navy. As my profile states, "always a newbie."

 

[Bad Karma]

Are you happy with the gun and its accuracy? Maybe shoot a couple hundred balls before thinking about modifications. I have replica guns I’ve shot for 30/40 years without touching anything.

 

[M. De Land]

I understand that the cylinder bore diameters might be smaller that the barrel bore diameter and not fully engage the rifling. So far I have been using .375 balls on my Pietta Colt Navy. As my profile states, "always a newbie."

If one is going to shoot only periodically, use only round balls and barrel/chamber alignment is good than I would say no it is not necessary as some short arbor production guns shoot like a house a fire from the factory and will for decades with no extra help from a gun mechanic.
If they are going to be worked hard in competition and hunting, conical bullets are going to be used than reaming for better accuracy to at least groove diameter is indicated.
Once the chamber mouths are reamed than the ball size will need enlarging to maintain it's former round ball accuracy along with discouraging chain fire from the front end.
You can go into the archives and find the threads I have already posted with photos of the various methods and equipment needed for proper chamber reaming methodology.

 

[fishmusic]

Thanks for your input, gentlemen. I did have my cylinder bores reamed and am trying to work up a load because I now use .380 balls. I took a ball and pressed it into a cylinder bore, removed it and then pushed it into the barrel. Definitely engaged the rifling which is a good thing. I am not into competition shooting I just wan an accurate and reliable pistol for fun.