Revolver Q - Always One Flyer.......

Rick James · Jan 8, 2013

So I finally figured out a load my Bisley Blackhawk .45 likes. All of the factory loads between 900-1050fps that I tried as well as my first batch of handloads would shoot maybe 6" groups at 25 yards. Well last weekend I loaded up 10 shells each using 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, and 15gr of HS-6. The bullets were all a 265gr Cast Performance flat nose with a gas check.

As the loads got hotter, the gun got more accurate. I went from consistent 6" loads, down to roughly a 2-2.5" group (not including a single flyer in each group) with the 15 gr loads. I shot two seperate groups of 5 shots each with each load and the results duplicated every time.

Now my question is this........each group produced a flyer. It wasn't so noticeable when I was shooting 6" groups. Now I've got groups with 3 bullets touching each other, one almost touching, and the other a good 4-5" left or so.

I've checked the revolver for timing based on what I've read here, even when pulling the hammer super slow all 6 cylinders lock up. I'm not sure if it's a timing thing.....what else could be causing this? It could be me, but I find is suspect that they go left the same distance in every group.

Any thoughts?

Cholo · Jan 8, 2013

I'd try to narrow it down to if it's a single chamber that's causing the flyer. If it is, you've got your answer. If it's not, you've also got your answer :wink:

PO2Hammer · Jan 8, 2013

It could be one misaligned chamber. I had one on a .357 Blackhawk. One chamber would always throw a jacketed magnum round out of the group, 6" or so at 25 yards. Took me a while to realize it wasn't my shooting.

Mark your chambers to see if it's the same one each time.

Kanook · Jan 8, 2013

Are your throats all the same?

Is the flyer out of the same chamber?

Rclark · Jan 8, 2013

Check your cylinder throats. That would be my first suspect. You should be able to push a .452 cast bullet with finger pressure through each throat. Or if you have plug gauges, you should be able to pass the .452 minus into each throat (after a good cleaning of course). The throats may need reamed to 1) correct the size and 2) be consistent (all nice and round and all 6 the same).

All of the factory loads between 900-1050fps that I tried as well as my first batch of handloads would shoot maybe 6" groups at 25 yards.

My old Vaquero was that way.... until I reamed the cylinder throats. Cut the group size in half. All my go to loads are within 900-1050fps range. Never use a gas check as not needed.

Never said how 'old' you Bisley is. I understand .45 Colt Revolvers of the '70s had large throats that needed .454 sized bullets. Just putting it out here

.

Rick James · Jan 8, 2013

Sorry guys, I should have added that cylindersmith.com did both the 45 colt and 45 ACP cylinders to .4525.

Rclark said:
Check your cylinder throats. That would be my first suspect. You should be able to push a .452 cast bullet with finger pressure through each throat. Or if you have plug gauges, you should be able to pass the .452 minus into each throat (after a good cleaning of course). The throats may need reamed to 1) correct the size and 2) be consistent (all nice and round and all 6 the same).

All of the factory loads between 900-1050fps that I tried as well as my first batch of handloads would shoot maybe 6" groups at 25 yards.

Click to expand...

My old Vaquero was that way.... until I reamed the cylinder throats. Cut the group size in half. All my go to loads are within 900-1050fps range.