gents, am finally "seeing" the light. With my cylinder throats being .431" or perhaps .4315" depending on how accurately I use my telescopic gages I should be able to match the bullet to the sized cylinder throats to acheive the greatest accuracies for my Smith-correct? Bore size after slugging is .430" dia. so a bullet of .431" is choice correct and if I can go to .4315"-no big deal-right?

The BTB .431" 325 grn. WLNGC can slip thru with abit of nudge to get the gas check thru each of the throats. Does this tell me I would be better off with a .4315" from Beartooth Bullets instead of continuing shooting these .431" out of my 629-1 4"?

I am loading 20 grns. of H110 with a mag. primer in this Smith with these bullets of .431" I don't often shoot these much as often as my Smith wants to but do quite abit with less than and including the 300 grain to stay tuned up.

appreciate the pointers,
regards

Welcome to the forum!

If that .431" bullet is actually .431" and it isn't too hard, it should obturate for a little tighter fit. I'd say shoot it and see how it performs and see if it leads any.

BTW, dropping it through the cylinder actually tells you more than measurements. I assume you checked each of the chambers, since they can vary some?

appreciate the welcome. you're assumption of the individual chambers is correct. the gas check was the on holdup on each and every one.

thanks for the additional help.

regards,

I think that Beartooth sizing, goes from .431" to .432".

One thing to consider, is that a bullet equal in size to your cylinder throats, will require some pressure to push through. If the .431"'s drop through & only catch lightly on the gas checks, then your throats are probably .432" - which would probably (well possibly, at least) be the appropriate size for your bullets.

Certainly would not hurt to compare the performance of .432" sized, as opposed to the .431" that you currently load.

On that note, & at the risk of being considered somewhat .... mercenary, I should say that I have about QTY 350 - 400 250WFN-GC & 265WFN-GC bullets. All Beartooth, all .432", & all available for immediate shipment - if you are interested.

I sold my 629 a while back, & although they work in my 624, I get better .44 SPL results w/ a softer alloy, 260WFN-PB bullet.