Just slugged my barrel

[grubbylabs]

So Just slugged my barrel on my brand new 45-70 and it came out to .458 Not a big surprise.

Here is where I need some guidance.

I am using the Lee sizers because I don't have a luber sizer.

What I have available in sizers is either a .457 or a .460. Tom at Accurate molds will build to mold to drop what ever I ask.

So my question is, should I have Tom machine my mold to drop .460 and buy the 460 sizer or should I pick another option?

Thanks for your help.

[leftiye]

Waaay tickled to see somebody who did slug the gun instead of asking what size it should be (lost my swaami cap).

Use the .460 sizer. If you ever get the chance try a .459 and see if it does any better for accuracy. Or you could have Tom open up a .457 to .459.

Depending on what size your mold is throwing, you could lap out the mold yourself (or Beagle it) from .459 to .460 for instance. You could lap out the Lee .457 sizer yourself too.

[MtGun44]

+1 on what leftiye said.

Bill

[grubbylabs]

I went a head and sent Tom another e-mail requesting a .460. Since it is only .002 larger I don't think it is going to be a problem and might even shoot better. Now I have to order a sizer from Ranch Dog.

[btroj]

I never slugged my 1895, I just started with.460 and all is good.

[beagle]

I'm using a .459" sizer and mine shoots well. Open the mould to .460" and try it sized to .460" since you have the sizer. If your dies will handle a .460 and it chambers all right, it will probably shoot well. My die (seating) wouldn't handle a .460 so I got a .459 sizer and later had my seater die opened to accept a .462 just for some leeway. My best combo is with a .459" sized bullet./beagle

[45-70 Ranger]

Well done on the slugging of the bore. As stated, this is not done often by most and the questions as to bullet sizing is really moot without slugging. Good for you!!!

In my case, the 1895G I have miked out .456" at the muzzle and .4563" at the breach. A soft cast .457 sized bullet in my weapons shoots great and there is no leading. Now if I take it up in hardness, leading occurs, and then I go to a .458" and fix that. Thus said, sizing as to the bullet hardness and the actual bore diameter all come into play with our chosen sport. Glad you got the bore diameter worked out.

I don't shoot unsized as I feel that sizing makes the diameter perfect and round. Also it's not messy using a sizer/luber like the old Lyman 450 I have. I hate using LLA as its mess is beyond what I can stand.

Have fun and be safe,

Wade