44 mag

[bigshooz]

Hey guys this is a new subject for me,I have a handi in 44 mag and the bore is .432"would patching a bullet that is .429-.430 help the accuracy of this round? This concept truly has my interest id also like to try this on my .308 cast loads.   Thanks   Mike

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Generally speaking you can expect a diameter increase of 0.010" from a good patch job.

That would make your .429s into .439s - a bit oversized for your bore.

Can you get your hands on a mold that drops 'em out at .423"?  Patched they would be about .433" which is great for smokeless loads.  Maybe a little grinding compound on a .41 magnum mold to beef up the diameter?

If not, you could cast with plumbers lead.  Size them down as much as you can.  Then patch them.  Then size them again to the desired final size.

I think you're on the right track because the magnum pistol cartridges should be ideal for paper patching when shot from a rifle.  Velocities are right there at good paper patch performance.

[handirifle]

Read on another forum where a guy used aluminum tape on the mold, on the side without the alignment pins, he paced some of this alum tape next to the open cavity.  When squeezed real hard and closed it gives a couple extra .001's for a larger dia bullet.