Dual cylinder revolvers in 44 WCF and 44 SPL, good idea?

[JellyJar]

I know some revolvers have been made and can be made ( USFA firearms for example ) with dual cylinders, one for 44 WCF and the other for 44 SPL. Given that the nominal diameter of the 44 WCF bullet is .427 and the 44 SPL bullet is .432 wouldn't that cause a problem, especially with accuracy?

I would think that if the bore was made to fit the 44 WCF that it would then be too tight for the 44 SPL and cause pressure problems. If the bore was made for the 44 SPL then it would be too big for the 44 WCF and cause problem with accuracy.

Can anyone tell me more about wether or not it would be a good think to get such a dual cylinder revolver for these calibers?

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Seems to work.

You might be surprised what bore & bullet dia is used in a lot of .44-40 guns & ammo anymore!

Ruger for instance uses a .429" bore & .429"-.430" bullets in both calibers.

You might contact USAF and ask what they are doing?

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

And Colt made a lot of .44 Specials at .4265" for .431" bullets.

I have a Colt .44 Special with auxiliary .44-40 cylinder and it shoots either caliber well enough for CAS. That is my only use for a SAA so I have not shot it carefully enough to determine maximum accuracy per caliber.

An oversize lead bullet will squeeze down to go through a smaller barrel with very little trouble.
An undersize lead bullet will be less accurate and more likely to lead the barrel.

 

[loadedround]

Jellyjar:
Several years ago I bought a pristine 44-40 Ruger Vaquero at an auction and found it to be a very accurate little revolver. I was curious about having it fitted with a second cylinder in 44 SPL, since I had slugged the barrel and found it to be .4295" in diameter. A call to Ruger confirmed that the 44-40 and 44's had the same barrel. I watched Ebay(when they were still selling gun parts) and Gunbroker for a 44 Mag Vaquero or Blackhawk cylinder. Shortly one came up for auction and I was the lucky winner, believed I paid 85.00 or 90.00 for it. Took me about 10 minutes to fit it, and it timed out perfectly. Now I have a little 43/4" little beauty that will shoot any 44 caliber cartridge and shoot them well also , although I limit my second cylinder to 44 Spl's.