I've Reloaded for a number of years and never had this question before. My son just gave me a full box of Hornady .44 caliber, 240 grain hollow point bullets. I've loaded Hornady bullets before; the problem is that these are marked .430 diameter. My barrell measures .429. Will this cause excessive pressures? I would be shooting them in a Colt 2nd Generation SAA and/or a Charter Arms Target Bulldog. I usually load these cartridges with Unique to around 950 fps. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
Hornady Bullets
- Thread starter jondar
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Sharps Shooter
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I went downstairs and checked the listed diameter of several brands of factory .44 bullets I have on hand: Speer = .429" and .430", Laser Cast = .430" Sierra = .4295", Hornady = .430" CorBon = .430". I size my own cast .44 bullets to .430" and the measured bore size of my .44 revolvers is .429". In short no, shooting .430" diameter bullets through a .44 caliber revolver with a bore size of .429" will not drive pressures up by itself. Some people think they get better accuracy if the bullets are one or two thousands of an inch over-sized. I'm not sure, but I think almost all factory cast and factory swaged lead bullets are sized .001" over. And I think that might be to help prevent leading.
However, when you're changing to a different brand of bullet for you loads, you still have to start low and work up - just like when changing any other component. The 1/1000" difference in bullet diameter alone probably won't drive pressures up, but there are other factors that can - like the shape of the bullet causing the bullet to take up more room in the case.
What is your 2nd generation SAA chambered for? Is it a .44 Special? I'm almost green with envy.
However, when you're changing to a different brand of bullet for you loads, you still have to start low and work up - just like when changing any other component. The 1/1000" difference in bullet diameter alone probably won't drive pressures up, but there are other factors that can - like the shape of the bullet causing the bullet to take up more room in the case.
What is your 2nd generation SAA chambered for? Is it a .44 Special? I'm almost green with envy.
Thanks Sharps Shooter, that takes a load off my mind. I wasn't so much worried about the SAA as I was the Charter, tho with only a five round cylinder and the bolt cuts between the chambers should be safe. Some say they shoot the Keith load in them but it is unpleasant. I bought the SAA .44 Special seven and a half inch barrell several years ago I think it was made in 1965. Has been an excellent revolver except had to replace the bolt spring immediately. (I think it was the bolt spring.) Since then pure pleasure even with the Keith load. Regards Jon
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