Bullet to large for gun?

[4thHorseman]

I have a S&W model 65. The other day I was messing around after cleaning my revolver. I purchased some bullets a few years back. Federal 125gr. copper jacketed.
I noticed when I just placed the bullet nose into the end of the barrel (where the bullet comes out when fired) it would not go all the way down to the casing. It would stop about 80 percent of the bullet. Basically I was putting the bullet in backward just to be curious.
The bullet would go down to the casing when I tried to place it into the other end of the cylinder, but not the barrel. All the bullets in the box are the same. Other type revolvers were the same. However other bullet manufacutuers were different. Remington bullets would go down to the casing.I have not fired any at all. Kinda affraid to.
My question, can the bullets by Federal be to large for the barrel, or the barrel to small for the Federal bullet? Or is this typical for jacketed bullets?

 

[LAH]

What diameter are those bullets? Have you measured them?

 

[4thHorseman]

No, I don't have a way to measure them. They are from Federal, factory ammo. Not reloaded.

 

[Old Fuff]

If I understand correctly you are placing the bullet nose into the muzzle end of the barrel and are concerned because it won't go all of the way in. If so, it shouldn't. the barrel is rifled and the lands are raised. The bullet is the same approximate diameter as the grooves in the barrel. The groove diameter in a .38 Special barrel usually runs about .357 to .359 inches. The bullet diameter is usually between .356 to .358 inches. You can have a gunsmith check this, but frankly I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[Snowdog]

As already pointed out, this is normal. A bullet should not be able to fit snug in the barrel. It if did, it would be undersized and you'd have gas blow-by and keyholing. The lands have to have some meat to bite into in order to stabilize the slug.
You'll be able to place the bullet further in from the cylinder end due to the forcing cone, as it lacks lands for about 3/16".

 

[Majic]

That's the way it's suppose to be. The distance between the lands in the barrel is a few thousandths smaller than the diameter of the bullet so it can grip the bullet to impart the stabilizing spin. This is how a bullet achieves it's accuracy. The cylinder throat should be the same or a few thousandths larger than the bullet diameter as it's only function is to guide the bullet to the bore of the barrel. If a bullet slides down the barrel with no resistance then it is undersized and the potential for accuracy have gone out the window unless it is of a hollowbase design.
Now in a comparasion of bullets, different styles have their oglive in different places. This means that the full diameter of the bullet may be further forward on one style of bullet as opposed to another. The further forward the full diameter is the less of the bullet will fit in the barrel by your test. It just determines where the manufactor has eliminated the nose taper of the bullet.
A good rule of thumb, the longer the bore riding section of a bullet, the better the accuracy. That is why the full profile of a wadcutter makes it the most accurate bullet made. The tapered nose of the other designs increases performance at distances by giving a lower frontal exposure for wind resistance.

 

[4thHorseman]

Old Fuff, Snowdog and Majic, thanks so much for the needed information. Greatly appreciated. I feel better now about it. I learned some good info from you guys, Thanks

 

[Mal H]

I've nothing to add to the above concerning the Federal bullets, but if I understand what you did correctly, the Remington bullets are most likely undersized for your revolver. They will certainly work, but accuracy with those rounds might be affected. However, that might not be true if the bullet shape is such that the maximum diameter is fully inside the case and starts tapering just outside the case mouth - that's a rare thing with most revolver cartridges.

 

[BluesBear]

If the Remington's were Golden Sabres that's normal too.

The nose of a GS is smaller to just barely ride the lands. This is to enable better stability entering the rifling. Sort of self-centering. The base is normal diameter to engage the rifling better.

I have found also noticed some other Remington revolver bullets to be made this way as well.

 

[4thHorseman]

BlueBear, yes they were Remingtom Golden Sabres.
I diffenently have had an education off of this thread!!

 

[Oracle]

Don't the Golden Saber's have a small "lip" that runs around the base that engages the rifling?

 

[Majic]

Don't the Golden Saber's have a small "lip" that runs around the base that engages the rifling?

I don't know, but can see 2 potential problems with a design like that. First would be decreased accuracy due to very little bearing surface contact, but higher velocity because of the same reason.
Second would be reduced neck tension of the case as it would have only a grip on the bullet at the raised lip and case mouth crimp.
I may very well be wrong, but I see no advantages in a design like that. Guess that's why I'm not a bullet designer.

 

[BluesBear]

It's not a lip nor a flange. It's more like the rear 30%-40% or so. Remington refers to it as a "driving band". Not exactly a new concept since it has been used in artillery projectiles for quite a while. The portion of the bullet that is seated in the case is full size.

If you have ever used Golden Sabres for reloading you can see and feel the difference.

Maybe this will help.

BTW the illustration is very exaggerated.

 

[James Bondrock]

Think about it: if the bullet can be pushed easily through the barrel, when fired it would bounce and skid down the barrel like a musket ball.

 

[Snowdog]

Great illustration, BluesBear!

That was my understanding of the Golden Saber, glad to see I wasn't far off base.