45 Colt Ammo Question

[Heavy C]

I want to bounce something off you guys and see what you think.  Most of the factory fodder I purchase for my Ruger Blackhawk (Linebaugh Custom) has been Ultramax cowboy loads while I accumulate brass to reload myself.  So the other day I saw a box of Winchester cowboy loads at the local sporting goods store (Academy).  I purchased it since the price was reasonable as prices go these days.

Have you ever purchased factory ammo that wouldn't chamber?  Out of a box of 50 rounds (Winchester) only 3 chambered in my revolver.  Most would only go half to 3/4 of the way into the chamber.  My gun is clean by the way.  I checked the Ultramax ammo and they chambered with no problem.  So, what's the deal?

[Dale53]

Without seeing your gun and ammo it is a bit of a crap shoot to try and diagnose this "long distance". Since your revolver is a custom, is it possible that the cylinder is just too tight for those "sloppy" factory loads? Every body has tolerances. It may just be that the Winchester ammo is on the large side of the tolerance ledger...

FWIW
Dale53

[Heavy C]

Well that's a good point.  The whole tolerance thing did cross my mind.  I have a 460 mag (Encore) and they chambered just fine.  I just thought that was strange considering they were factory loads.  Never imagined they would be that sloppy.

[Lloyd Smale]

i would guess that that cowboy ammo has swadged soft lead bullets that are  probably unsized. John cuts his cylinders tight and for the most part you need a 452 bullet to make them work right. One thing you can try to get them to work is to run them through a lee factory crimp die.

I want to bounce something off you guys and see what you think.  Most of the factory fodder I purchase for my Ruger Blackhawk (Linebaugh Custom) has been Ultramax cowboy loads while I accumulate brass to reload myself.  So the other day I saw a box of Winchester cowboy loads at the local sporting goods store (Academy).  I purchased it since the price was reasonable as prices go these days.

Have you ever purchased factory ammo that wouldn't chamber?  Out of a box of 50 rounds (Winchester) only 3 chambered in my revolver.  Most would only go half to 3/4 of the way into the chamber.  My gun is clean by the way.  I checked the Ultramax ammo and they chambered with no problem.  So, what's the deal?

[cwlongshot]

 I agree, its most likely that your cylinders are cut to min. specifications and the ammo your buying is not... Many customs in this caliber keep the dimensions at minimum anticipating there owners to push the limits of loadings. Its a long time benchrest trick, bore them tite, and burne'm hot and make little bitty holes at long ranges... Barrel life span to them (Bench rest shooters) is irrelevant, accuracy is the only concern.

My advice,  Start hand-loading!!!!

CW

[Racer X]

Whatever you do, don't send the cylinder back to be 'opened up' -- it's just right the way it is.

[Heavy C]

Thanks for the replies gents.  Believe me, I don't intend to make ANY changes to my revolver.  I can't wait to start rolling my own for this caliber.