Bore slugging

[badguybuster]

I recently picked up a Winchester 1892 Deluxe 45 colt. I slugged the bore today using a .490 (50 cal) hornady lead ball. Once past the crown the ball essentially just slid down the barrel with barely any force. I checked the measurements....it seems odd to me. Thoughts?

[Tokarev]

First of all, the caliper is not intended to measure large and soft items the way you do.
Hold the bullet softly between the flat areas up the lips. The sharpened tips are for reaching into groves etc. Also, turn your bullet 90 degrees.
By doing so you eliminate the effect of any rough areas that may mislead you if using the sharp tips.

Did you do it from the muzzle end or from the breech end? By crown I assume it was the muzzle end. Now, repeat the process from the breech end.

[Hickok]

You are measuring the wrong area of the bullet, the lands. You want to measure the widest portion of the bullet, the grooves. They should run about .451" to .454" for .45 COLT barrels.

A good micrometer gives better measurements.

[DougGuy]

What diameter the bore slugs out to be is secondary, at best. Slug the throat area just ahead of the case mouth. You want to size to fit the throat not size to fit groove diameter of the bore.

[JSnover]

If your barrel really is tight at the crown that's probably good thing (you don't want it loose at that end). I'm with Tokarev; send one from the chamber end.

[Tokarev]

You are measuring the wrong area of the bullet, the lands.

Good eyes! Mine are not. I did not even see that.