How big is too big

[bigalf]

Noobie here, with a quick sizing question. I slugged a 1911 barrel it came out to 451. I bought a sizer for .452. If I have a 45 that actually slugged to .450, will I be in danger of destroying the barrel if I shoot the .452 boolits? I know if they are too small, I get leading, which is more of a PITA to clean up than a hazard. But what is Im .0002 too big? Is it fair to say that if the round will pass the drop into the chamber test it is at least safe to shoot? Obviously I understand this doesn't include to power charge, but from a size stand point. Thanks and be gentle.

[btroj]

A 452 bullet in a 450 bore isn't an issue at all. If a bullet chambers it is safe to shoot as log as the load was worked up with that bullet size.

Safety isn't really the issue, accuracy is. Often there is a narrow range of good shooting bullet diameters for a gun.

[bigalf]

Not to sound foolish, but at this point in my early casting career safety is my first concern, Im sure I will have a lot of fine tuning for loads. But at least now I can experiment with some co,confidence I wont blow my barrel. Thanks.

[Ben]

You keep safety your # 1 concern, in the
long term haul, you won't regret it !

Ben

[zanemoseley]

I'm new to metallic reloading too. I bought a dillon case gauge, gives you a bit more confidence.

[koehlerrk]

Do the "plunk test."

Pull the barrel off your 1911. Take one loaded round and drop it into the chamber. If it slides all the way home with a good solid "plunk" then you're golden. If it stops early or drops through, you have problems...

[hithard]

By all means keep safety as number one, and sometimes two as well.

My forty smith likes them 3 over, the 338 federal is sized to .341 so it's 3 over as well. I can tell you that saw huge changes in the federal. Groups really tightened up, the biggest difference was in how much cleaner and thorough the powder burn was.

The biggest thing to remember here is that your really plugging the bore with upping the size, so start out low on your load development.

Remember you can always work your way up, but if you blow up you can only come down the hard way!

[Gtek]

You Sir have been blessed with the mental capacity to look before you jump, Congratulations! You will learn much and go far here if this Boolit thing is to your liking. Plunk test- barrel vertical and when plunked, rear of case no higher than hood good to go. The possible throat shaving, lube jams, and all that other maybe stuff we can talk about later. Pour, enjoy, lube, enjoy, load, enjoy, shoot, enjoy, and understand that all flights require heading adjustments. Welcome Aboard!

[acemedic13]

When I first got started I had the same fear. I figured I would blow my barrel up and my face and hands with it. I sized them all down to 451 and they shot all over the place. A wise person here schooled me on gas cutting and a few other things about how a lead boolit has to "seal" into the barrel. I did the same chamber check as mentioned above. I find myself sizing very few boolits for my 45 anymore. These suckers drop out of my 6 banger right on the money at 452.... love my ranch dog moulds

[dancingbear41]

I have been sizing .45 ACP at .452" for my carbines (no longer allowed pistols) without any problem. The Lyman manual states that bullets over .451" may not chamber because they will bulge the case. But if they fit in the chamber, providing you are within safe powder limits you will be okay.
I size all of my .30 calibre (.308") bullets to .310" these days and my .22 bullets at .225", both of which are relatively larger than 0.002" on top of a .450" barrel.
It is good to approach with caution but enjoy your new found hobby. It will engulf your life!!
Simon.

[Bullwolf]

Here's a nice image explaining the plunk test in more detail.





And a Lee TL452-230-2R boolit, sized at .4525 with a Lee push through sizer kit.



Plunks fine in my S/A 1911 barrel. (and it shoots nice too).




- Bullwolf

[MtGun44]

Good to ask, but with cast, diameter has relatively little visible effect on pressures.

The typical issue with diameter is going too small and getting leading and inaccuracy.

There are rarely any significant issues with going "too big" other than the possibility
of chambering problems. A good rule of thumb is about .001 or .002 larger than
groove diameter as a good starting point, and many rifles with .308 groove diam
to their best work with .311 diam boolits, with no problems of pressure.

Bill

[mpmarty]

The gun will size to whatever it likes.