Gentlemen ,

I believe I found the leading issue . I slugged the bore and it measured .452 . If using a 452 sized lead bullet it probably is a little small. Sorry guys I should have slugged the bore sooner, I know better but failed to do better.

The conundrum that I am thinking about is the fact that I can get berry's bullets cheaper than lead so with the special sizing requirements and the cost it may very well be simpler to go with a plated bullet.

I don't have any gauge pins large enough but a bullet at 452 falls through the cylinder , I'm going to guess it at .454 at least.

I still may look up some slower powder , I did come up with a can of HS7 which is the same as W571? . So if I can get hold of an old Lyman book I would have somewhere to start with that .

Thanks ,

Kirk