Project 616

[Green Frog]

I've never been a fan of the .32s, as I've always seen them as a bit useless comapred to what I can load a .38/.357 to do.

With that said, I have the American Handgunner with the article detailing the information on the Bowen Model 66 shown near the top of this thread. Ever since I saw that, I've had a mild interest. I can't help but think that fine little custom 66 with a .32 Keith bullet from the Cast Boolits group buy would be a huge load of fun, and maybe something truly terrific for small game.

Careful, it sounds like you're beginning to to weaken. It really would be interesting to see what would happen if S&W released a run of 616s to see how many folks would have sufficient "mild interest" to lay down hard earned buckage to actually purchase one. I fear this number will ever lie fallow and that examples of it will continue to be from the custom side only.

Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

I have some 357's also but the 32 is an old accurate classic round that is fun to shoot. Its cheap to reload also. Last Sat I bought 2000 32 bullets from my LGS. Can't wait, it should be done soon. I called Clearwater reboring and they do work for Andy. They said my bbl was shipped back to Ohio. Larry

That's good news, Jebus5745. When I talked to Jim before sending my barrel he said he had gotten behind, but was hoping to get caught up by mid-August, so maybe my barrel is approaching the lathe! I went on and left the rest of the project with Andy so he could recut the chambers and fit the cylinder to the Model 66 if he got a break while waiting. I know good work takes time, but I am really psyched to get this project in hand.

Froggie

 

[PMRet]

That's good news, Jebus5745. When I talked to Jim before sending my barrel he said he had gotten behind, but was hoping to get caught up by mid-August, so maybe my barrel is approaching the lathe! I went on and left the rest of the project with Andy so he could recut the chambers and fit the cylinder to the Model 66 if he got a break while waiting. I know good work takes time, but I am really psyched to get this project in hand.

Froggie

I know the feeling, kind of like waiting for Christmas when you were a kid...

 

[Jebus35745]

Froggie, he said he got you're bbl. Nice guy to talk to. Can't believe Andy is so laid back for such a famous person. One of the good old boys. Its been too long of a wait for my gun, almost 6 1/2 mos. Larry

 

[Badkarma 1]

Caught the ".32 bug" a long time ago, and am waiting with great anticipation on your experiment! And I've been waiting to see the .327 in a proper field revolver too! Dale

 

[Green Frog]

Badkarma1, I agree about the 327 as a proper field revolver. At this point I'm wondering whether I can find a fairly early Model 686 in good shape so I can have a slightly heavier 357 as a next step up in power when needed. Then a 624 or 629 for the next step and then...

Froggie

 

[peyton]

If S&W made a 616 I would break my arm getting my wallet out!!!! Plus I would end up buying a dozen of them, what a Christmas present to my kids and grandkids!!

 

[Jebus35745]

You know its weird how we come up with all these non standard guns. When I took my gun to Andy he showed me a finished Ruger. It was a GP-100 redone in 41 cal. It had a Python bbl fitted to it. He scalloped the frame to match the Colt bbl. It was neat looking. Andy said he likes to convert .22's to .32. Larry

 

[Green Frog]

Jebus35745, I envy you the ability to drop by and see Andy. I only had a few minutes with him when I made my "pilgrimage" as I had another 6 or 7 hour drive back to VA after our visit. He impressed me in person as someone I would really like to hang out with and learn from. I am feeling more and more like I made the right choice when I picked him for my dream project. I know he doesn't do the Internet Thing, so when you are there, if he wants to get word to me quickly, please feel free to PM any time. Give him my best!

Froggie

 

[tbird]

22-66

Green frog, duh I had a total brain fade didnt think about the difference between rim fire and center fire hammer and firing pin hole. Was thinking I had a couple of rough former pd guns with round butt I could use since I haven't seen a 617 around here for years oh well keep looking. Thanks tbird

 

[Jebus35745]

Froggie, Bowen sounded good but Andy was close. I heard of him in magazines through the years from some of the big gun scribes. The prez at the gun club that I hold the NE Ohio S&W group at grew up with Andy. The NE Ohio bunch has Keith Brown And I've been trying to get Andy to attend also. We talked for abt 1/2 hour. I'd love to watch him work on my gun. I'll try to remember to ask abt you're gun when there. He is 1/2 hour from me. I know it would be a drive to NE Ohio but you are welcome to come Oct 6th. Look in the public lounge for my post on the bunch. Larry

 

[peyton]

Where did you send the 617 barrel to get rebored?

 

[Green Frog]

Where did you send the 617 barrel to get rebored?

As I said in my full description of the project, I sent the barrel to Clearwater Reboring in Washington State. They have a great reputation and do barrels for many of the well known custom 'smiths. In fact, when I discussed the project with Andy he said that's what he would do with it... I just went on and sent it myself so I could have the personal contact with Jim Dubell who will probably be the actual one doing that work there.

Froggie

PS Website = http://deltagunshop.com/

 

[Jebus35745]

Froggie, did you ask Jim abt rate of twist? Andy was suppose to tell him I was shooting 98 & 100 gr bullets. I got the standard rate what ever it was. Larry

 

[Green Frog]

Larry,

It appears that 1 in 10 is about standard for these custom rebores, and since I am going to probably shoot bullets in the 100 to 115 or even 125 grain bullets, that looks about right to me. To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed with that aspect of the project, so I just went along with what everyone else seemed to be doing.

Froggie

 

[perrazi]

the 617 bbl and cyl. mentioned earlier would make a nice project for a stainless jet. (653). that is what i always wanted. the 32 project sounds neat too. the muzzle blast with hot loads is going to be fierce in a 4in bbl.

 

[peyton]

I wanted to get an update on the project!!

 

[Green Frog]

UPDATE: I've been in contact with Jim and he told me he had been having problems with some of his machinery. The good news is that he thinks it is fixed and was testing it yesterday. He said he was hoping my barrel would be cut this weekend. I'm hoping Andy has had the time and inclination to get the rebore of the cylinder done while he was waiting, so maybe I'm on the home stretch of "Project 616!" In the meanwhile, I have accumulated over 1200 rounds of brass, 5 or 6 bullet moulds, loading dies, etc, etc. I'm going to be ready (and then some) when Project 616 gets home to me!

I see a trip to Ohio and Casa McGee in my future for some serious load development and shooting! Get ready, Dale53!

Froggie

PS I'm still looking for a classy River-type holster for a 4" K-frame with full underlug barrel.

 

[Green Frog]

Froggie, did you ask Jim abt rate of twist? Andy was suppose to tell him I was shooting 98 & 100 gr bullets. I got the standard rate what ever it was. Larry

Correction to my previous response to this; when Jim contacted me he said that most of the custom 'smiths were using 1 in 18 twist with a few specifying 1 in 16 if they wanted to shoot a heavier bullet. I went on and ordered the faster twist since I have a couple of heavier (115 and 125 grain) bullet moulds. I don't think it will be too fast for the 95 grain WC and SWC bullets I have for the S&W Long cartridges I also plan to shoot out of it. The anticipation continues!

Froggie

PS I'll be working on that 125 grain round... remembering the old high performance 125 grain loads for 357 Magnum, I hope I can get there with a 327 and skip over the problems that the 357 gave! Anybody know how to calculate Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density?

 

[ddixie884]

How much do the full lug barrels lack matching the non magnum frames? Can they be machined or polished to match?