Has anyone slugged the bore of a c. 1970 Model 28-2? I'm interested in this so I can pick the right sizing diameter for hard cast bullets.

Would you expect the bore diameter to be fairly consistent from one gun to the next?

There are other S & W revolver calibers that have had significant variation in bore/throat diameter, but I have not heard of .357s having concerns about this so you should be fine at that size.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Sixtogo
Over the past 40 years, I've owned at least a half dozen Model 28-2 revolvers, in both barrel lengths. Probably 90% of my shooting with them has been using .38 Special cases and cast bullets, mostly pushed by a mild load of Red Dot, although I have tried other powders. The vast majority of my cast bullets have been sized at .357. Accuracy has always been excellent.
I hope that helps.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

You'll be wanting to size to the diameter of the cylinder throats for accuracy in a revolver. This is nice because it is easier to determine than groove diameter in a 5 land/groove Smith barrel. If you are fortunate, that diameter will be consistent across all chambers, and will be at or a little above the groove diameter of your barrel. As murphydog wrote, S&W .357s have been fairly consistent over the years. If the cylinder throats are tight compared to the groove diameter, that can cause accuracy and leading problems, especially with hard cast bullets, but can be corrected. .358" has worked well in every Smith .357 I've had, which right now totals about 15 or so. I've been around plenty of others.

What aphelion said. Every gun is different.

Sorry to drift but I found out the moly coated lead cast bullets leaves far less leading in the barrels. I think that Carolina bullets were the first bullet manufacturer to offer this option. I do plan on coating all my lead cast bullets with a only spray. Or I may set up a tumbler for them. I know using only like this can get messy till it dries.

When I ordered out my H&G wadcutters from Dardas Shooter's Supply, I got 100 each sized to 0.357, 0.358, and 0.359. The .357-sized bullets slide through the cylinder throats without much assistance. Light tapping on a plastic pen will push the .358's through. I guess I'll leave the .359's for another gun and try the .357's and .358's.

Dardas will measure your slugs and has capability of getting bore diameter of those pushed through a 5-groover. When I ordered bullets I bought a couple of his slug blanks (round balls) and might drive one through and send it in. I'm curious.

Thanks for your responses.

If light tapping with a pen will push the .358 thru I would go with the .359's