Sizing question with my 44 Mag.

[The Kaiser]

Re-sized my Laser Cast bullets from what they say is .431 to .430 in my Lyman Lubr-sizer die. I was peeling lead quite bad before in the cylinder and forcing cone. Just tried two that I re sized and they now drop right through my cylinder. They don't in the forcing cone or barrel. Being new at this, I was concerned about the cylinder and how they just make it through unlike before they stopped and would not go through. Measured two that I did and I get .431 after sizing. I guess my question is: even though they just make it through, is it alright if the bullets drop through the cylinder?

[GBertolet]

Idealy, the proper sized bullet should just slip through the cylinder throats with light finger pressure. Any bullets bigger than that, upon firing, will get sized in the cylinder throats anyway. If the bullets are much smaller than cylinder throat size, and if they don't they slug up to cylinder throat size in firing, you run the risk of gas blow by, and will get leading.

[uaskme]

They are OK to shoot at 430 but it sounds like you should be using them at 431. It is no problem to use boolits that are 1 or 2 thousands over throat size.

[The Kaiser]

Are there any problems associated with shooting a bullet that just drops through the cylinder? The bullet and cylinder measure the same.

[MtGun44]

Throat diam, which will NOT drop through, or even .001 or sometimes .002 larger seem
to work the best, assuming groove diam is same or larger than throat diam.

Mr. Target knows the answers and is always right.

Bill

[gray wolf]

I don't think you had a leading problem cause the bullets were a little big.
Depending on powder charge ( pressure ) and hardness of bullets, they don't always bump up.

[runfiverun]

i'll go with they were 430 when they come out of the cylinders before you sized them down.

you'll be fine with the 430's in the 430 throats.

[The Kaiser]

Thanks for the replies. I've loaded up some as cast, and some, sized to .430. See what happens.

[gray wolf]

I was peeling lead quite bad before in the cylinder and forcing cone. Just tried two that I re sized and they now drop right through my cylinder.

Just sayin, it sounds like the throats are not .430

[mdi]

Are there any problems associated with shooting a bullet that just drops through the cylinder? The bullet and cylinder measure the same.

IMO, a bullet that "just drops through" is too small and will cause leading. I use a bullet that measures the same diameter as the cylinder throats and is a snug push-through. I use a micrometer to measure bullets and pin guages to measure throats.

[captaint]

Can't beat the pin gauges for accurate throat measurement. In the end though, as Bill said, the target & gun will tell the truth. enjoy Mike

[fredj338]

IMO, a bullet that "just drops through" is too small and will cause leading. I use a bullet that measures the same diameter as the cylinder throats and is a snug push-through. I use a micrometer to measure bullets and pin guages to measure throats.

^^THIS^^
It's pretty diff to get good measurements using a cast bullet vs machined pin gage. If the bullet falls thru the cyl, IMO, it's too small. If you can just force it thru, it's probably fine. Smaller throats are bigger problem with leading IME than larger throats. Smaller bullets almost always lead someplace in the bbl, ususally sooner than later..

[The Kaiser]

Just a follow up. Had everything measured as follows: Laser Cast bullets 200 grain ordered .431.-they measured-.433.- Sized them to .431. 300 grain measured -.432- and sized them to .431. Measured cylinder throats and they measured-.431.- Loaded all and took to the range.
After 55 rounds I was pleased to see very little leading with none to speak of in the forcing cone. I am mainly a rifle shooter so this was all new to me. I'll do this all over again to make sure, but I believe I've solved my problem. Thanks all.

[44man]

Just a follow up. Had everything measured as follows: Laser Cast bullets 200 grain ordered .431.-they measured-.433.- Sized them to .431. 300 grain measured -.432- and sized them to .431. Measured cylinder throats and they measured-.431.- Loaded all and took to the range.
After 55 rounds I was pleased to see very little leading with none to speak of in the forcing cone. I am mainly a rifle shooter so this was all new to me. I'll do this all over again to make sure, but I believe I've solved my problem. Thanks all.

Good deal!
There is no sense using throats as a size die.
I shoot my most accurate boolit that measures .429" to .430" from throats that are .4324". My best group was 1-5/16" at 200 yards from my SBH and just yesterday I shot three touching at 50 yards from Creedmore position. The group was 5/16".
My groove size is .430". There is never leading in my guns and this .44 has not been cleaned in a year. I do not and will never believe in "bump up." I still think most problems are from boolits too soft. Yes I am contrary!
My last deer was shot around 100 yards in the thick. I hit low chest, took out a leg at exit but wanted to get the deer before dark so I went to it quick without waiting. It kept ahead of me by 40 yards so when I could barely see the head in high weeds I pulled the gun and shot it in the head. Accuracy plus from a way undersize boolit.
Fit is good but more problems are posted with boolits over throat or too soft with slump.

[mdi]

Just a follow up. Had everything measured as follows: Laser Cast bullets 200 grain ordered .431.-they measured-.433.- Sized them to .431. 300 grain measured -.432- and sized them to .431. Measured cylinder throats and they measured-.431.- Loaded all and took to the range.
After 55 rounds I was pleased to see very little leading with none to speak of in the forcing cone. I am mainly a rifle shooter so this was all new to me. I'll do this all over again to make sure, but I believe I've solved my problem. Thanks all.

Yahoo! This method had always worked for me; size bullets same size as the throats (in all my revolvers, .44 Ruger SBH, S&W 629, Dan Wesson 44H, Taurus Mod. 85 and 685).

[The Kaiser]

Went to the range again and same results. Sizing the bullet to throat size cut my groups in half. Unbelievable! I don't know if this is true of all cast bullets, but it sure helped me with the Laser Cast.

[44man]

Went to the range again and same results. Sizing the bullet to throat size cut my groups in half. Unbelievable! I don't know if this is true of all cast bullets, but it sure helped me with the Laser Cast.

I got free samples of those boolits once and they were too small for my 45-70. It is good you were able to fit them.
All of my molds cast throat size except for the .44 because I screwed up making the cherry. Yet it still shoots tiny groups and will average 1-1/4" at 100 yards.
I do believe in fit but this one still works. However I did make the ogive at the same angle of the forcing cone.

[The Kaiser]

I had the same problem with my 45/70. They Key-Holed, and just wouldn't shoot. I've always had good luck with my pistol bullets though.