Fo Te Fo

[Blammer]

I got my 44 SRH in the other day, put a set of Hogue grips on it, slugged the cyl and the barrel and then put on a scope.



Here are the dimensions.

All 6 cyl are the same dia.

.4315

Barrel is
.4295 x .4180

Loaded some ammo and can't wait to go shoot it.
I'm gonna try my Lee 310 boolits and a few other sample ones I have.
I'm going to shoot what i got first and see how the accuracy is and if I get leading.

my question is, what dia should I try to size my boolits?


here is a pic

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/ruger/DSCN6452.jpg

[454PB]

My Lee 310 mould casts right at .4315" using WW alloy, so I size .432". It sounds like that would work in your gun if your mould matches mine.

[Blammer]

If I'm understanding this correctly, I need to size my bullets to my cylinder?

So I need to size to .432?

[gcf]

If I'm understanding this correctly, I need to size my bullets to my cylinder?

So I need to size to .432?

They should be sized so that they will not just drop through the throats, but require a light - but firm push.

If your measurement is correct, .4315" - .432" should do it.

[Blammer]

so I just got done looking and no one sells a .432 sizer.

this is nuts!

[sundog]

get a .430 or .431 and lap it out. instructions on castpics.

[Bass Ackward]

I have a Redhawk with those dimensions.

I size from .429 (yes I understand that this is undersize) to .433 (and I also understand that this is over the throat) depending on the bullet design and the powder speed and power level I want to shoot. I let the gun tell me what it wants with what combo.

If I was just starting out, I would get a .430 to begin with.

[gcf]

I size from .429 (yes I understand that this is undersize) to .433 (and I also understand that this is over the throat) ...

Could you elaborate a bit more on your reasoning behind the slightly oversize .433"? In other words, do you oversize for alloy hardness, powder burn rate, chamber dimensions, or ??

Thanks in advance!

[Scrounger]

Marlins usually have oversize barrels, work better with bullets at or slightly above that diameter. A lot of them run .432, .433 in diameter instead of the nominal .430 they should be.

[44man]

Not to worry, your gun will shoot anything from .430 to .432. My old SBH has even larger dimensions, .4324 throats and .430 G to G. I would lap a Lee die to .431 and be done with it. Your Lee mold might only drop boolits that size anyway. Use the Lee die to remove excess lube.
I forsee 1/2", 50 yd groups with that beauty.

[Bass Ackward]

Could you elaborate a bit more on your reasoning behind the slightly oversize .433"? In other words, do you oversize for alloy hardness, powder burn rate, chamber dimensions, or ??

Thanks in advance!


This is creating rifle like conditions to add a little resistance to aid ignition if needed. OR to minimize gas cutting if this is a problem as well. This not only will aid accuracy at times but also minimizes wear on the forcing cone from slower powders. I do it at all points in the pressure range matching hardness to realistic burn rates using safe pressure levels.

Sometimes it will work and sometimes nothing is gained. It works best with RNFP designs.

[Blammer]

ok an update

Lee310RF WW alloy Aircooled sized to .430, speed green lube
16gr of 2400

no leading.

a pussycat to shoot! felt like light loaded 38 spcls !

All poor shooting is attributed to trying to zero the scope.

first two at 25 yds, missed target

got REAL close on third shot, 7 yds, hit bullseye

one more at 25 yds, no telling.

moved to 15 feet and put two touching but 6" up and 6" to the left.

back to load a few more to zero the scope and then will start with the real load development.

I'm liken this already!

it's the first 'big bore' wheel gun I've owned, unless you count a 357 magnum a big bore. :)

[Whitworth]

That's great! Be careful, big-bore handguns are an addiction -- you'll see as you are well on your way!