rkrcpa
Single-Sixer
I'm wondering what the ideal throat size is for my Blackhawk .41 magnum. I mean that not only in theory but from a practical standpoint.
First, a little background. I've owned and shot this revolver for a little over 20 years and have never really thought much about throat size. I have always used either a 220gr. Keith SWC or Sierra JHC bullets, both sized .410. My supply of Keith 220's has finally been exhausted so I purchased some 215 gr. SWC's sized .411 .
Now, to be fair, one chamber has always seemed more prone to high pressure but I've always been able to push the Keith's pretty fast with no real signs of pressure or leading. Using the 215 gr. bullets at a less than maximum charge I am getting severely flattened primers and sticky extraction (pound it out with a stick on the "problem" chamber).
I can push the Sierra bullets and LBT WFNGC sized .410 through each chamber throat no problem, although the one chamber is noticeably tighter. The 215 gr. sized .411 won't go, no way, no how.
It seems obvious I have a throat issue with the one chamber in particular. BTW, in looking at the cylinder, there is an "X" engraved next to the chamber that is tight. I bought this revolver brand new so I know the "X" came from the factory. I wonder if someone noticed the throat was tight and it just never got fixed?
But I digress, what throat size should I be looking at? It seems that the "tight" chamber should be the same as the other five, that's a no brainer. Should all the throats be opened up to accept .411 bullets? If so, what effect will that have when shooting bullets sized .410? Should I only use bullets sized .410?
This revolver has always been very accurate and I don't want to do anything to compromise that. What is the "ideal" throat diameter for this revolver?
First, a little background. I've owned and shot this revolver for a little over 20 years and have never really thought much about throat size. I have always used either a 220gr. Keith SWC or Sierra JHC bullets, both sized .410. My supply of Keith 220's has finally been exhausted so I purchased some 215 gr. SWC's sized .411 .
Now, to be fair, one chamber has always seemed more prone to high pressure but I've always been able to push the Keith's pretty fast with no real signs of pressure or leading. Using the 215 gr. bullets at a less than maximum charge I am getting severely flattened primers and sticky extraction (pound it out with a stick on the "problem" chamber).
I can push the Sierra bullets and LBT WFNGC sized .410 through each chamber throat no problem, although the one chamber is noticeably tighter. The 215 gr. sized .411 won't go, no way, no how.
It seems obvious I have a throat issue with the one chamber in particular. BTW, in looking at the cylinder, there is an "X" engraved next to the chamber that is tight. I bought this revolver brand new so I know the "X" came from the factory. I wonder if someone noticed the throat was tight and it just never got fixed?
But I digress, what throat size should I be looking at? It seems that the "tight" chamber should be the same as the other five, that's a no brainer. Should all the throats be opened up to accept .411 bullets? If so, what effect will that have when shooting bullets sized .410? Should I only use bullets sized .410?
This revolver has always been very accurate and I don't want to do anything to compromise that. What is the "ideal" throat diameter for this revolver?
