Author Topic: Cylinder exit holes revisited  (Read 1085 times)

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Offline crabo

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Cylinder exit holes revisited
« on: June 01, 2007, 03:20:59 PM »
I opened up my cylinders in my 357s so that a 357 wadcutter would push through with a light push from a pencil.  When I ordered some plain based bullets to try them, the caster recommended 358s.  It seems like this is a step backwards to go to a bigger bullet than I opened my cylinder too.  This caster has a lot of LBT molds that he throws bullets with.

SO should I call him and order 357 sized bullets?  I just took his recommendation, but it is bothering me.  If I should 358s, shouldn't my cylinders be opened to 358?  I ordered 4 different bullets in 100 piece boxes.  I don't want to waste my money.  I ordered a 1000 of a high quality bevel base bullet (or so I thought) that wouldn't shoot for crap and I don't want to do that again.

Thanks,

Craig

Offline Veral

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Re: Cylinder exit holes revisited
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2007, 11:45:38 AM »
  You state that the caster you ordered from has a lot of LBT moulds, so I assume it is Montana Bullet Works.  If so take his recommendation but get trial quantities of his or anybodys cast bullets in the future.

  No lead or jacketed bullet will open up cylinder throats, so drop that concern.

  The important issue is that the ammo chambers without much more resistence than the rounds weight.  If you have to force them in the cylinder won't rotate freely which is hard on the mechanism at best and could cause the cylinder to lock out of alignment with the bore.  Also, if the ammo has considerable cylinder drag so the rim isn't against the cylinder when the hammer falls, impact on the primer can be dampened, as the cartridge moves forward,  enough that you'll get a misfire.  Which in itself isn't dangerous if you wait a half minute or so before rolling the cylinder to the next chamber, in case it hangfires.

  A good rule of thumb is:  The larger cast bullets are the more accurately they will shoot,     IF THEY CHAMBER EASILY!

  That's a rule of thumb, not a law carved into rock.   The part IF THEY CHAMBER EASILY    IS a law carved into rock!  Don't break it!
Veral Smith

Offline crabo

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Re: Cylinder exit holes revisited
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2007, 06:04:08 PM »
Okay, not to sound like a dumb ass here, but if I am going to shoot cast bullets that are sized .358, should I not open up the cylinder to 358 instead of leaving it at 357?  Won't the smaller cylinder hole swage it down some?  I don't mind opening up the cylinder a little more if it will make a difference.

Thanks,

Craig

Offline Racer X

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Re: Cylinder exit holes revisited
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2007, 12:14:36 PM »
Veral,

Related to this topic, if a 45 Colt has .453 throats and .451 groove, what diameter bullet would you recommend? Will .452 bullets shoot ok without gas cutting?
Estranged eldest son of Mom and Pops Racer and older brother of legendary Mach V race car driver Speed Racer

Offline STJ

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Re: Cylinder exit holes revisited
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2007, 03:11:55 PM »
Don't worry about swagging, so long as the chamber easy.  Load um up an give them a shot.

Offline Veral

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Re: Cylinder exit holes revisited
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2007, 06:46:40 PM »
You'll get best accuracy with bullets that fill the throats, but try 452 if you have them.  If accuracy makes you happy and you don't get leading, don't fix it.

  Crabo.  A dumb ass is one who doesn't ask questions when they don't know, and none of us know everything. -- Your bullets will swage down a bit passing through but it won't hurt accuracy.  Opening the throats till bullets will slip through is normally better, and can be mandatory to let them chamber.  As I stated previously, if they chamber easy you are doing fine.
Veral Smith