44 Special Vaquero

[450AK]

Have a 3 5/8's Vaquero with ,432 + cylinder throats. The chambers are JUST releasing the bullet, so the combination is leading horribly. Bullets are .435 out of the mold, sized to .433. Expander is .434, size die is opened to . 450+ . A sized case (Starline) measures .429- .430. A neck expanded case measures .431. Probably need to open the size die some more, but at some point my neck tension will be zero and bullets will creep and tie up the gun.
Does anybody know if this cylinder throat is out of spec or will Ruger just say it falls in their tolerance range?

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

Hi,
When I buy 44 caliber bullets (44 spec or mag or 44-40), they are .430 from the company I use. Looks to me your bullets are too big, not that your chambers are too small. Why are you using .433 bullets? Ruger 44 barrels are .429 to my knowledge. (I also use Starline cases, and have no problem loading them with .430s or any significant leading in my 44 Rugers.)

 

[Joe S.]

.433 seems a bit big to me too... But im really new to loading cast boolits. I know they should be a tad larger. Didn't know that much tho

 

[ndcowboy]

I agree that your bullets are too large in diameter. Pick up a box of factory .44 specials and see how it does with those.

 

[un-ique]

I would think .433 is in spec for cylinder throat. I don't know what experience you have with cast so please ignore if I state the obvious to you.

I would question if too large of a cylinder throat is your problem. You are much more likely to lead when cylinder throats are too small.

Obviously you want the bore smaller than the cylinder throats so do you know the bore dimension? If cyinder throats are too large that means you are delivering a 'larger than bore' bullet into the bore. That is what you want so would be good to know bore dimension to be sure.

I guess you are figuring that gas is blasting past bullet before it enters the bore so next question is how hard are the bullets? A softer bullet might 'bump' on firing and size up to cylinder throats.

What powder are you using? Unique always seems to lead more than most powders when used without gas check.

How large is the gap between chamber and forcing cone?

Are you shaving lead from bullet when seating thus actually causing undesized bullet.

BTW, which part of the barrel is leading, near forcing cone or muzzle?

 

[ndcowboy]

My Third Edition Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says "size to .429" diameter."
I still recommend picking up a box of factory cowboy ammo - bet all your problems are solved with the .429.

 

[M'BOGO]

Welcome to the forum.

How are you getting your measurements?