Author Topic: Throat Size of FA Mod 83 .44 Mags (Read 921 times)

WL44 · « **on:** March 26, 2006, 10:48:56 PM »

I hope you guys can help me out here.

I'm purchasing a LBT mold for my Ruger .44 Mag. Since I got my .357 Mod 83 FA I've been keeping an eye out for a Mod 83 in .44 Mag as well.

I'm in South Africa, so ordering a mold and getting it through customs etc. is quite an exercise and I want to order a bullet diameter that will work when I get my FA .44.

Veral Smith says in his forum that you can size down 2 thou pretty easily. My Ruger would be ideal on .432 (I think). I'd sooner get the right mold for the FA and be "close but not perfect" for the Ruger.

So, what do your throats mesure on FA mod 83's? I figure they should all be pretty consistent. Does anyone know the maximum nose length on a .44 Mod 83? Working from my .357 I expect around .4".

Thanks for any help.

Wim
JHB, South Africa

SJPrice · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2006, 06:03:14 AM »

I would suggest you send an email to Bob Baker at Freedom Arms and he can give you a definite accurate answer. Given your need for getting it right the first time, that is the route to go.

Bob Baker · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2006, 11:21:44 AM »

Typically you will want your bullets sized at .4295 to .430. If you already had one of our 44's I would say to measure the throats and get the bullets a couple tenths under the cylinder throat size. The throats will run from .430 to .431.

WL44 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2006, 08:50:40 PM »

Gee, okay I didn't expect a reply directly from Mr Bob Baker.

Thank you. No I don't have a .44 FA, but I do have a .357 Mod 83 which is superb (which is why I'm in the market for a .44 Mag as well).

That's all that I needed to know as it gives me a good idea as to how much I would need to size down from a cast size of .432 or so.

THanks.

Wim
JHB, South Africa

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2006, 09:25:33 PM »

I'd say that no matter WHO manufactured the gun it'd be smarter to push a soft lead slug thru EACH cylinder throat to make absolutely sure they are all the same size. I they are then you can order your mold based on that information. If they are NOT all uniform then you gotta have some work done.

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2006, 02:58:11 AM »

Either the gun is accurate enough or it isn't. If it is, then forget all the foolishness about buying gunsmithing you don't need, or wasting your time with soft lead slugs. The suggestion that this is even an issue with Freedom Arms guns is utterly laughable.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2006, 06:26:55 AM »

Questor, show me somebody who produces PERFECT guns every time and I'll show you somebody who walks on water! Yeah, 99.99999% of the time the FA gun is going to be spot on but the folks up there in Freedom, Wyoming do not walk on water. I own a modle 97 and love it. If finances permit I'll be getting a modle 83 within the year and my guess is it'll be about as perfect as a production gun can get but I wouldn't bet my retirement on it.

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2006, 09:02:34 AM »

Wow Dusty, that's quite an interesting idea. I don't know what you hope to gain by it, but if that's what blows out your pipes, let 'er rip. Or more interestingly, I'd like to know if doing this kind of work on an FA gun yields any measurable difference in performance. So far as I know, Ruger is the company that's responsible for this late craze for throat massage in single action revolvers. The reason I prefer guns of the FA ilk is that they are excellent from the factory. If I wanted a tinker toy to keep the world's gunsmiths employed I'd go back to buying Rugers. Fortunately that's not going to happen.

SJPrice · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2006, 11:54:44 AM »

I guess you could slug the throats, or you could just look at the test target that comes with your FA gun. Oh by the way, the test target is a group of five, one from each chamber. I know in most cases it is hard to tell if it is one shot as in how most factory guns are tested or five shots as in how FA guns are tested. Afterall it is usually one slightly ragged hole from a FA. I for one can tell you there is no way in hades I would let a gunsmith mess with my 475. It shoots as close to "perfect" as I have ever seen in a non single shot handgun. Heck, it even outshoots some single shot target guns I have shot.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2006, 09:44:55 PM »

Right you are, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting and if it tastes right then LEAVE IT ALONE!! When I get my next FA it'll get the taste test right off the bat and if the flavor is good that's all I need. :grin:

toddfb · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2006, 01:02:01 PM »

I use .430 bullets from Beartooth in my Mod 83 44mag. They'll shoot a ragged hole at 50 yards when I shoot from a rest.

WL44 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2006, 08:33:42 PM »

Yes, unfortunately my question stems from having to cast for a Ruger now and hopefully a FA later. There aren't many FA's for sale here in South Africa and taxes (and new firearm laws) makes importation a last resort.

Anyhow I believe in slugging the throats and measuring the slug and then trying to match diameter - i.e. matching to the smallest throat. I've been told that they don't generally (ireespective of manufacturer) differ much more than 0.0005" (1/2 a thou), but I've only measured 2 revolvers, so that's not based on any experiences that I've had.

My FA is a tack driver...

Thanks for the replies.

Wim