I know this is bringing up an old thread but...I have a D. Pedersoli Kodiak Hammer gun in .45/70 (MK294..)and having read about the .450 No2 N.E. conversion offered up a chambering reamer. I found that the reamer guide wouldn't enter the bore and on measuring found that the lands mike .442". Did the other guns that have been converted have such a tight measurement?

WOW -- that is a tight bore ..I haven't seen one that restricted.

and, I offer, the 45/120 is close to the same beast, yet 1/3 or 1/4 the cost for brass and dies ... but, alas, not a 450 NE anything

45-120 is what mine ended up as years ago(after a stint as a 45-90)
Hand reamed it both times, no issues, just be slow, careful and patient.

Yes I realise it's tight but I have the ammo the dies and the reamer all in .450 #2 N.E. so I would like to follow it thro' if possible.

Have you measured the groove diameter? I would make sure that this dimension is in the .457”-.458” range before going ahead with that particular rifle. The tight bore will up pressures a bit and might cause you some grief when using monolithic bullets. .442” is the correct bore diameter for most 45 caliber pistol and revolver cartridges! If your reamer features removable pilots then you can obtain the correct diameter pilot to fit your tight bore. If your reamer has a solid pilot then you can have it reground to fit your bore, or better still; have it ground to accept removable pilots and fitted with the correct size. This way the reamer will still be usable for bores that are in spec by simply changing pilots. One thing to pay close attention to; the section of the reamer that cuts the throat may also need to be reground so it extends down to the extra small diameter of the lands. Contact your favorite reamer grinder and tell him what your situation is and he should give you a quote. Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool & Gauge has done this sort of work for me.

quote:

using monolithic bullets

not in a DR

Keith

Jack Huntington does this conversion a LOT. Give him a ring at Jack Huntington Advanced Gunsmithing.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
I wasn't intending to load monolithics, just Speer 400 gr flat points (don't know if they still make them but I have quite a few) and use them on driven boar. Have e-mailed Jack Huntington, maybe he will be kind enough to reply. Will check the groove diameter. In any event the job has to be right because here in England the Proof House tries to blow your gun up.

Jack's e mail is not available to him. Long story. You will have to call him at 530-268-6877, 10am-6pm Pacific time. The Pedersoli stock design transmits recoil pretty good to the shooter. 500's at 2150 kick pretty hard. If I recall his regulated fine without cracking the barrels for regulation.