velocette
Member
I've been having a problem with my .40 BHPs accuracy. It seemed to shoot 180 grain factory JHP ammo pretty well but lighter bullets and lead reloads, well it shot patterns not groups.
I was setting up to reload a batch of .40s today and decided to slug the barrel. Started out with a cast lead bullet @.401" measured with digital calipers and with a calibrated micrometer. After driving the slug through the barrel, it measured .403" with both caliper and mike.
It appears that I have found the root of my problem. All of the bullets advertised for the .40 are specified at .401 or .40 for jacketed bullets. (the 189 grain jacketed bullets I got from Midway were .3955" - - close enough to .40 but a far cry from .403"
My experience with reloading cast lead bullets is to size them one to two thousandths over bore size for good accuracy.
Has anyone had the same experience with a bore well over nominal with a BHP?
It would appear to me that my choices are to have a custom mold and sizing die made or to bite the bullet and buy a Bar-Sto barrel.
Any opinions??
Roger
I was setting up to reload a batch of .40s today and decided to slug the barrel. Started out with a cast lead bullet @.401" measured with digital calipers and with a calibrated micrometer. After driving the slug through the barrel, it measured .403" with both caliper and mike.
It appears that I have found the root of my problem. All of the bullets advertised for the .40 are specified at .401 or .40 for jacketed bullets. (the 189 grain jacketed bullets I got from Midway were .3955" - - close enough to .40 but a far cry from .403"
My experience with reloading cast lead bullets is to size them one to two thousandths over bore size for good accuracy.
Has anyone had the same experience with a bore well over nominal with a BHP?
It would appear to me that my choices are to have a custom mold and sizing die made or to bite the bullet and buy a Bar-Sto barrel.
Any opinions??
Roger
