I agree, however there is a HUGE discrepancy... I can fit the .45 colt down in the barrel to the casing... I try the same thing with my .45 pistol and it stops before the casing hits like it should... while I agree this isn't scientific it does show something is amiss.Well, unless Hornady screwed up a batch of ammo and put .444Marlin bullets into .45Colt brass I'd say that you need to go back and read or re-read bigedp51's post about how some bullets are smaller on the exposed portion but still right for the part that's in the case. If this is common then you can measure factory ammo all you want and will just become even more confused. What you REALLY need is a bullet puller and then measure the portion of the bullet that is inside the casing. Until you pull the bullets so you can perform an honest measurement you're just shooting in the dark.
RC, the reason I'm trying to fix something for it rather than give it up is $500 dollars is ALOT OF MONEY for me to spend on a gun, and due to the fact that I won't sell it without telling someone why I don't like it, when people find out it sucks, they don't want it
451 that's something I have been considering, finding the brass .410 hulls and working up a load for it... I don't believe the cylinder jump is causing the issue as much as the fact that the bullet isn't even touching the barrel on it's way out, however the .410 brass cases should fix that... maybe... I've been putting off reloading, but looks like I might as well take the plunge, as long as I get a kit that will work for my other cartridges then it won't hurt so bad to spend it... Might have to wait until after the holidays though as I'm pretty tapped out right now.