I have a 29-2. Does anyone have any input as to proper diameter of cast bullet. I do not cast anymore. I am considering placing an order with Beartooth for .44 bullets and also for my Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt. The cylinder for the Ruger has been reamed by cylindersmith.I am sending the Ruger to Alan Harton for a trigger job and new front sight.

I have fired some Magnus bullets in the 29 and I have leading. Lasercast bullets do just fine in other revolvers.

Any input is appreciated.

Lafayne

Should be .429 to .430, depending on the exact gun. Most modern 44s shoot .429 jacketed and .430 lead just fine. My 29 shoot .429 or .430 lead with no problem.

Years back I bought a .429 sizing die and used it ever since for all my 29's including a 29-2. No leading.

If you truly want to fit cast bullets to your gun you need to measure the barrel groove diameter AND the throat diameter of all 6 chambers of the cylinder. The throats should all be the same, and hopefully .001" larger than the groove diameter of the barrel. The bullet diameter should be the same as the throat diameter. This allows the bullets to fit into the throats, and the bullets to be squeezed slightly by the forcing cone so that it is certain the barrel is totally filled by the bullet; preventing the hot gases from blowing by and causing leading.
If the throats are smaller than the groove diameter of the barrel, you can have a gunsmith ream them so that they are slightly (again .001") larger than the barrel groove diameter.

The 29's I have worked with worked fine with .429 or .430 cast bullets.

I use 430 cast in all my 44's including 3 S&Ws

I've got three 29-2s, and several pre 29s. All use .429 to .430 lead bullets and i've never had a problem with leading or accuracy.

Thanks for the info.

Lafayne

My old 29-2 has large cylinder throats varying from .432 to .435. I size my bullets .432 and cast out of 15/1 alloy they shoot fine with no leading even will heavy loads.