Sizing Boolits for a Revolver

[wantoutofca]

Just picked up a Super Redhawk and I need some boolit sizing advice. I can push a .430 cast slug through the cylinder throats with some resistance so I am thinking about sizing to .431.

I'm also ordering a new mould and thinking of getting the .432 option instead of the .434, my thinking being that sizing .001" would be better then sizing .003".

Is there anywhere I'm going wrong?

[runfiverun]

431 will be good.
i'd bet 430 would work just fine.

[ShooterAZ]

+1 on 430 with the right lube.

[youngda9]

Get the 431 mold, assuming that's how it drops the boolits (different lead concoctions will drop slightly different). Sizing .001 off is no big deal...not having to size at all is even better, assuming you TL.

[MtGun44]

You want the boolit to be aligned straight by the throat, so your .430 will probably work fine,
but sometimes a touch bigger is better.

Mr. Target knows the answer.

Bill

[wantoutofca]

The 432 mould it is! Thanks guys!

[MikeS]

You're probably better off with the larger mould. Remember you can always size down some, but it's pretty hard to size up! Add to that the fact that you might get another gun in the future that will need larger diameter boolits, and again it's easier to size down than up.

[44man]

I would need to know groove size first.
There is no need to go over throat size at all, it just turns the cylinder into a size die. Any boolit that enters the throats will not chamber if over size. You will not stuff a 429421 at .432" into the gun.
If the throats are .430" and the groove is .430", good to go with a .430" boolit. If groove is .429" it is better but if groove is over throat size you have a problem.
Nothing you do in the throats is beneficial except to keep the boolit in line.

[wantoutofca]

I'm going to slug the barrel today and see what I get. What you're saying is if I hypothetically have .431 throats and a .429 groove there would be little problem sizing to .429?

[runfiverun]

he is.
i'm not so big on the grossly oversized thing either.
but i'd prefer that to too small.

[wantoutofca]

Good to know. I have a smith that likes .429 and it would be nice not to size to two different diameters

[mdi]

I'm going to slug the barrel today and see what I get. What you're saying is if I hypothetically have .431 throats and a .429 groove there would be little problem sizing to .429?

Nope, size to .431". You want the bullet to be a little over groove diameter to insure a complete seal of the bullet/bore. .002" is great. A .429" bullet shot through a .431" cylinder throat will prolly lead the barrel, unless you're betting on obituration...

[44man]

I'm going to slug the barrel today and see what I get. What you're saying is if I hypothetically have .431 throats and a .429 groove there would be little problem sizing to .429?
I would go close to throat size as it does not matter if a boolit is over groove. If a boolit .430" pushes through the throats with your thumb, go to .430". I would stay .0005" under throat so you can chamber in any case. But a little smaller has never hurt me as long as I am at groove size or over.
All I say is to not turn the cylinder into a size die, it does no good at all. A nice slip fit of a boolit in the throats is all you need.
A .429" boolit might shoot very well in a .429" groove but to stuff a .432" to .434" boolit through a .430" or .431" throat is not doing you any favors.

[wantoutofca]

Groove is .429 and the throats are .431.

[wantoutofca]

It only takes slight pressure to push them through the throats. Should it take some effort or does it matter?

[44man]

Groove is .429 and the throats are .431.
You are fine. .430" to .4305" is all you need.
I can tell you a .429" will also shoot good.
Over size is over blown. If the boolit nose aligns in the cone and pulls the cylinder straight, it will shoot. The tiny side play in the cylinder is there for a reason.

[wantoutofca]

Thanks guys!