What size die should I use for a .454 bullet?

[unrepentant]

Hello, All! I'm a long-time lurker, and finally have a question to pose..

I slugged my Shiloh barrel today--I purposely made a squib load that fired the cast bullet about halfway down the barrel. After removing it, I found that the greatest diameter of the cast bullet on the grooves is .454".

How big a sizing die should I use? I'm thinkin' .456", but that's just a guess.

Thanks for your help.

[mooman76]

455 or 456 but you won't know for sure until trying both which will be best. You could settle for 456 and get by. I usually just shot as cast any more for pistol so if you bullets drop at 456 I would go with that.

[John Boy]

I slugged my Shiloh barrel
Presume you are talking about a 45-70 Shiloh black powder rifle?
If so, your slug of 454 (maybe) is the lands (bore) diameter, not the groove diameter.


How big a sizing die should I use?
A 459 or 460 and these 2 books ... http://www.amazon.com/Black-Powder-Cartridge-Rifle-Shooter/dp/1879356414/ref=pd_sim_b_njs_img_1