625 cylinder throat size

[Warpspasm]

What is the proper diameter for a cylinder throat in a Model 625? I just did a completely unscientific test of mine and I think they may be a bit tight.

[Nightowl]

Its hard to beat .452.

[Warpspasm]

That's what I figured too. But, when I dropped a .451 black powder ball into each cylinder I couldn't even push it through. Hey, I told you it wasn't very scientific! But, it has me wondering if my cylinders are too tight. I tried a .453 cast bullet first and it was obviously worse. I should probably get my bore slugged and my cylinders measured if I want to shoot lead.

[Warpspasm]

Okay, I'm stupid. Well... ignorant at least. I just measured my .451 black powder ball and it actually measured .456. Go figure. I didn't know in ball form they were bigger than the stated size. Anyway, I found some .452 bullets and they push through 5 of the 6 cylinders just the way I expected. But, there is one cylinder that it won't push through. I need to find out what size it is.

[Nightowl]

Others here have recommended using a jacketed bullet from a box labeled as .452 in diameter and seeing if it will drop through the cylinder. A lead bullet sticks easier than a jacketed bullet. I mike mine first to make sure of the diameter. If you cannot get a .452 jacketed to get through or is very tight, it might be time to take a step back and decide how best to proceed.

[Macinaw]

On my 625 JM is was able to pass through a .452 lead bullet after sizing through a Star luber/sizer. I thought I might have undersized cylinder throats. I was planning on reaming the chambers. I don't think I need to do it now.

[Warpspasm]

My fmj bullets measure at .451 and they drop straight through except for the one tighter cylinder. It pushes through very easily on that one. I had a .452 plated bullet and it pushes through easily on 5 cylinders and will still push through the tighter one with a little more effort. So, I'd have to say the cylinders are probably fine. Thanks guys.

[BLUEDOT37]

The throats on my 325NG measure .4520" with my pin gage. I would have liked .451" better but it is what it is.
It's better than the .454" in my SRH.

[Warpspasm]

Before I bought my 625JM, I looked at a 25 a guy was selling. It looked great, but having heard about some of them having over sized cylinder throats I took some lead bullets with me. After having a .453 drop straight through, I dropped a .455 slug in there and I was able to shake it out easily. Those throats had to be .456 or .457. I passed on the revolver. What really killed it for me was he wouldn't let me shoot it to see how much, if any, that impacted the accuracy of the pistol. As pretty as it was, I'm a shooter first, collector second. I shoot everything I own, at least occasionally.

[at_liberty]

I don't think there is anything random about Brownell's having a stock reamer for .4525. I work with the standard of a .451 jacketed pushing through but not freely dropping through. I want the .452 lead to stick.

My 625JM has been reamed, but I since have figured that with the special rifling being problematic with lead, the gun in its day was designed to shoot standard FMJ in competition, the image of how Jerry operated at that time. His practices and competition models influenced by him have since evolved into better supporting lead bullets. My 625PC clearly has more sharply defined rifling than my 625JM.