If this post is in the wrong forum, forgive me and maybe the moderator can move it.:confused:

I have a .44 Mag. Blackhawk, SS made in '93. barrel slugs out at .429" maybe .4295". Cylinder throats running about .430"/.431" (used sized cast bullets for plug guage). I've thought about opening up the cylinder throats to .432" so I can shoot a .430" to .432" cast bullets, depending on which one works best. Is .001" throat/bullet clearance too much? Any thoughts?

thnx,
Mike

It sounds to me like you have an ideal setup, with the throats just slightly larger than the bore diameter. Unless there is something wrong with the accuracy, I would not change it. Currently you should be able to shoot .430-.431 bullets, so why open the throats?

Since you rounded to the nearest half thousandth, I assume you are using a digital caliper? They are not nearly as trustworthy as pure lead slugs and an old fashioned OD thimble micrometer with a Vernier scale (http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=8915769&PMAKA=510-2202) for ten thousandths (don't forget to wipe the anvils and take the zero reading first to subtract from your measurements). Hornady swaged lead balls for cap and ball are pure lead and work fine. You will also find that only pure lead slugs really let you feel constrictions in the bore clearly, and to make lead shoot well, you can't have any. The portion of the bore that is in the frame is famous for being constricted by overzealous tightening. Lapping or firelapping are the only ways to remove it. If you firelap do it before any cylinder reaming so it doesn't end up further opening throats.

For reaming economically, remove your cylinder and for $40 bucks, these guys (http://cylindersmith.com/) will give you either 0.4305" or 0.4325" throats, your choice, but you need to know for sure what you already have to make that decision? I don't know why they don't have a third option at 0.4315", which would be my choice for conventional cast bullet sized 0.4310, which my Redhawk prefers. The larger number is just right for Lee Tumble Lube designs though.

I had my .45 convertible reamed and the throat angle altered....it shoots lead like a big dog now....I shoot both 230 RN with a factory taper crimp (LEE) and Keith 240s....love the Keiths....but practice with the .45ACP loaded in the l45 LC...

I don't use digital calipers, as I prefer dial calipers (for some reason I don't trust digitals; some numbers just pop up in a display?). For measuring bbl. slugs and bullets I use a 1" mic. w/carbide tips or a cheap Lyman mic. I checked both w/known plug guage and have been measuring stuff to 5 tenths, .0005", for years. My intention was to shoot .001" to .002" oversize slugs. I first will clean up the forcing cone to 11 degrees and firelap the bbl. (already have some firelap bullets from Beartooth, just trying to figger out a load for them). My goal for all this is to make my 'Hawk as accurate as possible and have some fun customizing her along the way. Thanks for your replies:)

Between 2 and 2.5gr. of Bullseye should do it. Hard to give an exact load as the different b/c gaps on individual guns will change the powder requirements a bit.

Lately, with straight walled cases I have been filling the rest of the case with polyester pillow stuffing after the powder charge goes in. Really stuffing it full..... seems to help the powder burn better, and keeps the bore somewhat cleaner as you go.

Hope that helps.