Properly sized bullets

[tinman]

I have one of the RH 45/45 convertibles and a friend is gonna do some reloading for me. I am about to begin the process of gathering components and I want to make sure I get the right stuff. I have heard y'all tell folks that "slugging" a barrel is a sure fire way to know the exact requirements for that gun.......does that apply to all guns or just the older ones? I have never seen the "slugging" process done.......is there some special tool involved to accomplish this?
As an aside, I am looking to buy a Rossi R92 in the very near future. I was going to get it in .45LC but (in keeping with the theme of shooting multiple calibers from the same platform) I am considering the .454 version.....if it will also function with .45LC loads. What research I have done leads me to understand that the .454 is simply a longer cased .45LC.
I guess the question is, which caliber will give me the better chance of using the same (sized) projectiles in both the RH and the rifle? :?:

 

[sixshot]

Tinman, both the 45 Colt & the 454 use the same diameter bullets, .452". The difference is in the case length. I wouldn't worry about slugging the bore for now. Shoot some ammo first & see how the gun likes it, thats the best way, at least to start. You may have to try a few different brands of ammo, every gun is different. If you are going to handload almost all 45 caliber bullets are going to be .452" diameter, if you run into accuracy problems with either one with either handloads or factory ammo then you might need to slug the bore & see if there's a problem, maybe some restriction in the revolver where the barrel screws into the frame, etc. this is somewhat common but slugging the barrels without even shooting the guns is usually an unnecessary step to begin with. Shoot them first!

Dick

 

[tinman]

Tinman, both the 45 Colt & the 454 use the same diameter bullets, .452". The difference is in the case length. I wouldn't worry about slugging the bore for now. Shoot some ammo first & see how the gun likes it, thats the best way, at least to start. You may have to try a few different brands of ammo, every gun is different. If you are going to handload almost all 45 caliber bullets are going to be .452" diameter, if you run into accuracy problems with either one with either handloads or factory ammo then you might need to slug the bore & see if there's a problem, maybe some restriction in the revolver where the barrel screws into the frame, etc. this is somewhat common but slugging the barrels without even shooting the guns is usually an unnecessary step to begin with. Shoot them first!

Dick

Thanks Dick, I am still talking with the folks on the Rossi forum trying to decide weather to go with the .45LC or get the .454 and hope it will perform acceptable double duty.

 

[Galaxiedan]

Get the .454 you wont be disappointed. I had the same thoughts while shopping for a nice affordable lever action

 

[tinman]

Get the .454 you wont be disappointed. I had the same thoughts while shopping for a nice affordable lever action

Cool, which rifle did you decide on? How does it function with the .45LC ammo?

 

[Galaxiedan]

I bought the 16" barrel stainless in .454, the .454 model has a nice padded butt pad that the .45 model doesnt..

 

[tinman]

I bought the 16" barrel stainless in .454, the .454 model has a nice padded butt pad that the .45 model doesnt..

Any issues when running the .45LC thru it? Feeding, ejection........?

 

[Galaxiedan]

No problems with mine, I have ran both and many reloads in both calibers

 

[mikld]

Barrel slugging is just driving a soft lead slug/ball/bullet through the barrel and measuring it to determine the groove diameter of the barrel. I use a brass rod a bit smaller than the bore, a plastic mallet to start the slug (do nor use a steel hammer!), and a heavier dead-blow hammer or mallet to drive the slug through. For revolvers it's recommended to slug/measure the cylinder throats and use bullets of the same diameter (for my .44s most slug/measure .431"-.4315" so I size the bullets to .431"). "Normally" the cylinder throats will be larger than groove diameter but it's good to know for sure both dimensions. Slugging the barrel can also tell you if your barrel is consistent, without restrictions (some Ruger revolvers have constrictions at the junction of barrel and frame). I have slugged the barrels of 90% of my firearms and all of my revolvers' throats.

So, for shooting cast lead bullets you can either slug/measure your gun to get proper bullet fit (and better accuracy with no leading) or just use a WAG and take your chances...