Selecting a Bullet

[Jayhawker]

When reloading for a revolver, should you select bullet diameter by the size of the barrel or the chamber? I've read where some say the bullet should just barely be able to be forced through the chamber but others who slug the barrel and use a bullet .001" over. I have a buddy who shoots .454" diameter lead bullets through a S&W 625 barrel that slugs at .451". Which is the correct (and safe) method?

 

[res45]

You will probably get allot of debate on this me personally if I buying jacketed bullets for my pistols,which are a 38 & 32 Cal. I just buy the standard bullet for that caliber,ie Hornady,Speer etc. For cast bullets I generally shoot bullets that are .001 to .002 over bore dia.

I shoot the laser cast bullet in my 38/357 there about .001 over sized and the accuracy is excellent. Just as a side not my Blackhawk is a convertible it has a 9mm cylinder which the bullet dia. on the 9mm is .356,it also shoot very accurately with jacketed bullets why bullets will budge when fired under pressure allowing them to contact the land and impart the proper twist.

.003 seem just a little bit oversize in your buddies bullets but as long as he doesn't see any pressure sign and his case life is normal I guess he is fine. I curious as to why he decided to use that particular size bullet.

 

[Jayhawker]

"I curious as to why he decided to use that particular size bullet."

I think he had them for a .45 Colt and couldn't stand the thought of letting them go to waste

 

[ReloaderFred]

It's the throats of the cylinder that you should measure if going for accuracy. The bore diameter won't make much difference if the bullet is being swaged by the throat.

There isn't a lot of choice in jacketed bullets, but with cast bullets, they can be tailored to the revolver and make a big difference.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[243winxb]

I would choose the bullet diameter by the groove diameter of the barrel. A revolver with a .451" groove diameter in your 45 should have lead bullets sized to .451" to .452" If the mouth of the cylinder is oversized , then the cylinder should be replaced if possible. A .454" bullet will just deform when it hits the forcing cone and is sized by the barrel, giving poor accuracy and maybe leading. But the real test is how does the gun shoot on paper? Very easy to test both lead bullets and see.