scrat
Member
Remo
First of all Walkers are awesome guns. The metal that is being used today helps alot. Same time though. The big black powder loads do wear out parts. Thinking a standard 45colt takes 35grains of black with a .452 bullet. and the Walker takes 60 grains of black with a .452 round ball. Its a huge difference. I dont really like to shoot mine anymore with these high powered loads as it puts a lot of stress on the gun. Though i have never seen one blow up with todays metals i imagine with a lot of abuse and neglect its possible. As for the size of the ball. today i always try to match the cylinder to the barrel. As for the size differences i am not sure but its like that with all black powder revolvers. I once heard that the size was taken at the mouth of the barrel at its smallest. Where as it would be much larger in the back. Same time i know its a smaller diameter in the back as well. You see a revolver can take up to a .457 round ball depending on the gun. Most of mine take a .452-.454. However what happens is you pour in the powder put in a wad. Then place a bullet in the cylinder. then you press it in. if you are using the correct size ball a small round ring should shave off the ball all the way around. this ensures you have a tight seal. kinda like gas checking. now if you were able to get that ball out and measure it. its not really a ball anymore they will almost look cylindrical barrel shape. due to the shaving and pressing. This is why you need soft pure lead. That measured ball will be a smaller diameter.
