Sizing question for multiple 44 Mags - first world problems

[tominboise]

I am lucky enough to own four 44 Mag revolvers. I measured the throats this morning, as I noticed some leading in one of them the other day. The average cylinder throat measurement by revolver are:

S&W 629 - 0.4295"
Freedom Arms Model 83 - 0.430"
Ruger Redhawk - 0.4315"
Ruger Blackhawk - 0.433"

The bullets I am shooting are Leadheads (RIP) 255gr plainbase Keith SWC that are sized at 0.430". The Redhawk was leading up more than I would have expected, but I hadn't done any measuring prior to shooting.

I would like to shoot one bullet in all four but am thinking that I may have to use the 0.430" bullets in the Smith and the FA, and buy "gasp" jacketed bullets for the two Rugers. All of these were bought used and so I have no idea who may have done what to any of the throats.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Petander]

I would try a .432" cast in all of those nice revolvers at first.

I have a mod 29 with .4335" throats and for some reason a soft/medium hardness .432" shoots clean and (subjectively) accurate. I reamed a 629 to .432" , a Redhawk just happens to be .432". So they all shoot .432". PC and Hi Tek.

A nice throat ream job never hurts either.

[Drm50]

I have a few 44mgs. 7 m29s, 1 Ruger SBH and a Marlin 1894. You may find leading caused by bullet alloy more than sizing. I shoot .429” in everything. Even the Marlin that is suppose to need .430” + bullets. It clover leafs at 60yds.

[Petander]

Slugging the barrels would be a good start.

Then you know better about your throats,what size they should be in the perfect world. My 629 V-Comp has a .430 groove diameter and the throats were originally .4285...

[black mamba]

Without changing anything you'd be better off shooting .432" lead bullets in the two larger throated revolvers, and shoot .429-.430" jacketed bullets in the two tighter ones.

[Larry Gibson]

I have a few 44mgs. 7 m29s, 1 Ruger SBH and a Marlin 1894. You may find leading caused by bullet alloy more than sizing. I shoot .429” in everything. Even the Marlin that is suppose to need .430” + bullets. It clover leafs at 60yds.

Concur with Drum50.

I shot .429 sized cast bullets in all my 44 magnums over the years too....then I read a couple articles that the bullet absolutely must fit the throats for "best accuracy". I spent a lot of time and money casting, sizing and testing various sizes from .429 up through .433. Truthfully I didn't see any difference in accuracy. I did see a loss of accuracy with the .433 sized bullets in a revolver with .433 throats and a .429 groove barrel....just too much sizing down isn't good either. I've 44s with .429 - .433 throats and mostly just use .429 sized bullets with no leading (I use a good proven 50/50 lube or BAC) and as good of accuracy as i can shoot these days.

[243winxb]

.430" for all.

[dbosman]

Does anyone have a clear, concise, but accurate, article on cylinder reaming?

[tominboise]

I am going to do some bench shooting with all 4, using the bullets I have and keep some notes on accuracy and leading, so I can build a baseline and see if I need to change anything or not.

[onelight]

I am going to do some bench shooting with all 4, using the bullets I have and keep some notes on accuracy and leading, so I can build a baseline and see if I need to change anything or not.

That is where I would start.

[Laguna Freak]

I am lucky enough to own four 44 Mag revolvers. I measured the throats this morning, as I noticed some leading in one of them the other day. The average cylinder throat measurement by revolver are:

S&W 629 - 0.4295"
Freedom Arms Model 83 - 0.430"
Ruger Redhawk - 0.4315"
Ruger Blackhawk - 0.433"

The bullets I am shooting are Leadheads (RIP) 255gr plainbase Keith SWC that are sized at 0.430". The Redhawk was leading up more than I would have expected, but I hadn't done any measuring prior to shooting.

I would like to shoot one bullet in all four but am thinking that I may have to use the 0.430" bullets in the Smith and the FA, and buy "gasp" jacketed bullets for the two Rugers. All of these were bought used and so I have no idea who may have done what to any of the throats.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

If I was in your shoes, I would rent a reamer. If I did not want to ream, I would probably try .429 and .431 cast boolits.

[Dan Cash]

Keep the Freedom Arms and sell the others. Problem solved.

[Petander]

"Accuracy" is such a subjective thing.

My 629 became a completely different gun after throat reaming / uniforming. It now shoots all .432" bullets acceptably,even a coated GC bullet without a GC. My "acceptably" means I can hit that 75 meter bullet trap 10/10 bullets. Then we can start grouping.



I will ream some of my 357's next.

I hope Doug Guy chimes in this thread.

[Hickok]

Does anyone have a clear, concise, but accurate, article on cylinder reaming?

i know this is not an answer to your question, but if you are needing cylinder work, send your cylinder to DOUG, he's here on the forum. He is a pro, and does excellent work. He fixed my S&W 629 that had .428" throats.

[Hickok]

I have had some commercial "hard cast" bullets that were leading somewhat. I took them and tumble lubed them in the Lee Alox, and it really did wonders. I could shoot them and no more leading in the throat of my revolver. Just sayin'.....

[tominboise]

I have had some commercial "hard cast" bullets that were leading somewhat. I took them and tumble lubed them in the Lee Alox, and it really did wonders. I could shoot them and no more leading in the throat of my revolver. Just sayin'.....

I have some Lee Alox, so I may try this. Thanks!