Author Topic: What diameter bullet? (FA 97 .45 Colt) (Read 506 times)

Woodchuk · « **on:** April 16, 2003, 11:55:31 AM »

I'm going to buy a FA M97 in .45 Colt and I'm going to reload for it. I'm new to reloading and would like to know what bullet diameter(s) should I use in this revolver? .451, .452, etc...

I've seen the chamber throats listed as 0.4515" ( at http://www.sixguns.com/range/Fa45.htm )

Thanks for your help.
Woodchuk

richp41 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2003, 01:06:01 PM »

Ideally you want the chamber throat to be .001" larger than the bore and the bullets should just pass thru the chamber with moderate finger pressure. This will generally produce the best accuracy. Most old Colts have throats in the .454 to .457" range and bores that are .452" or slightly larger. I then size to the largest possible size-- .454" and let the bullets swage down in the barrel throat. The intent is to get the bullet into the barrel in the straightest line with bore and avoid tilted bullets coming out of the cylinder. Rich

Woodchuk · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2003, 01:19:38 PM »

So in this case, and assuming the bore is .001" smaller than the cylinder throats, a .452" bullet would work better than a .451" bullet...Am I following you?

Would this mean that .452" bullets would be the optimum, or does it mean that .452+ will all work?

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2003, 11:22:15 PM »

start with a .452 and if that doesnt work for you then investigate further.