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  #1  
Old 01-02-2015, 12:48 PM
nagant nagant is offline
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Default Lead bullet dia.

I haven't found any data for .454 dia bullets. In general with soft lead is there a safety issue using .452 data for .454 cowboy loads
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Old 01-02-2015, 12:51 PM
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You are likely ok, but we need more information.

What cartridge?
What weapon?
What type bullet?
What type action?
Intended use?
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Old 01-02-2015, 02:17 PM
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Lead bullets are normally sized .001"-.002" over groove diameter of the barrel. In some cases, with experimentation, a bullet will preform better at even larger diameter, mebbe .003"-.004". If you're shooting a lead bullets I'd recommend a Lyman's 3rd Edition Cast Bullet Handbook (if you can find one. If not a 4th Edition will do). Cast bullet load data is different from jacketed and the Lyman manual will give you dedicated lead bullet load data...
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Old 01-02-2015, 02:31 PM
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So why are you using 0.454" bullets?? Most 45colts made since 1950 are built with 0.451" barres.
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Old 01-02-2015, 02:35 PM
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The data is the same for both sizes.Drop a 452 through the cylinder,if it falls through try a 454 and hope it hangs up.There are hordes of Colts and S&Ws around with over sized throats.
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Old 01-02-2015, 05:23 PM
nagant nagant is offline
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thanks for replies. Shooting a converted .455. 454 bullets drop thru the cylinder. i get about 6 inch groups with factory cowboy loads, winchester and magtech.
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Old 01-02-2015, 05:52 PM
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For revolvers, it's not the bore diameter to be concerned about, it's the cylinder bore diamerter you need to size lead bullets to. A .454 lead bullet bouncing around in a .455 cylinder isn't going to give best accuracy.
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Old 01-02-2015, 06:00 PM
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You could try a 454 cast from soft lead or (if you can find some Lead bullet dia.) a 456.
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Old 01-02-2015, 06:13 PM
nagant nagant is offline
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[IMG][/IMG]Those groups were about 10 to 15 yards. I will try the .454's and i found a source for .456's but not sure i should use them. Lead bullet dia.[/IMG] Just want to safely find the best load i can get.
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Old 01-02-2015, 06:25 PM
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Default Lead bullet dia.

If it shoots patterns with the 454s,try the 456 size.It won't hurt it unless your trying to load it really hot

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Old 01-02-2015, 06:37 PM
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.454 is a good choice. Cast of a soft alloy they will slug up to cylinder throat diameter upon firing. I have used .454 bullets in throats as big as .456, and they just work fine. Decent accuracy with no leading. Nagant, You didn't mention if your revolver was converted from .455 to 45 ACP or 45 Colt. If ACP, you might have to watch for bulged cases from .454 bullets. Sometimes bullets will be swaged down during seating, especially since most 45 ACP expander balls are .449 diameter. You might actually wind up with .452 bullets, once they are seated. If you are dealing with the 45 Colt you should be good using the .454 bullets without any worries.
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Old 01-02-2015, 07:39 PM
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Sorry, it's a 45 colt. and appreciate everyone's help.
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Old 01-02-2015, 11:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SMSgt View Post
For revolvers, it's not the bore diameter to be concerned about, it's the cylinder bore diamerter you need to size lead bullets to. A .454 lead bullet bouncing around in a .455 cylinder isn't going to give best accuracy.
It is both, but cyl throat da is equally important for best results. One reason I have passed on many M25 45colts, the thrats ate like 0.455-0.456", never going to get good dad bullet results with them IMO.
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Old 01-02-2015, 11:04 PM
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Penn Bullets will size to .455
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Old 01-03-2015, 08:14 AM
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I shoot .452 diameter 250 or 255 grain bullets out of my Colt SAA's with excellent results. So do all my friends and their results are also good so that's what I stick to.
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Old 01-03-2015, 02:00 PM
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Actually, it's a combination of throat diameter and groove diameter that makes any difference. The throat diameter must be larger than the groove diameter for no leading and good accuracy. If the throat is smaller than the groove diameter, no matter what diameter bullet is used, the bullet will be swaged down to the throat diameter,under size for the barrel, and poor accuracy and leading happens. It won't matter if you shoot .454" bullets if your cylinder throats are .452", as the bullet exits the cylinder at .452". All my revolvers are fed lead bullets sized to the same diameter as the cylinder throats (which is anywhere from .001" to .003" larger than groove diameter) and I get very little leading in any of them. Most modern revolvers will have throats larger than groove diameter, but it's good to slug/measure both so one knows for sure.

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Old 01-03-2015, 02:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fredj338 View Post
One reason I have passed on many M25 45colts, the thrats ate like 0.455-0.456", never going to get good dad bullet results with them IMO.
Au Contraire and your loss. The .454" lead bullets shoot just fine out of .455" throats.

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