When I first bought my Ruger Bisley 45 Colt I was unable to get the Brownell's Range Rod (diameter 0.442") all the way through the bore. It would stop when it got the the point where the barrel screwed into the frame. Well after about 200 rounds I tried it again and was surprised to find that it now does go easily all the way through. I have only shot cast bullets and none of them had lapping compound on them. How could a lead bullet enlarge a stainless bore? Brian.

Brian,

Probably just a case of burrs left over from the maching processes.

When I first bought my Ruger Bisley 45 Colt I was unable to get the Brownell's Range Rod (diameter 0.442") all the way through the bore. It would stop when it got the the point where the barrel screwed into the frame. Well after about 200 rounds I tried it again and was surprised to find that it now does go easily all the way through. I have only shot cast bullets and none of them had lapping compound on them. How could a lead bullet enlarge a stainless bore? Brian.


Ruger probably used compound on the threads to make installing the barrel easier. After some shooting, the compound mighta' gotten compressed out of the threads? Repeated expansion can do things with barrel steel. The steel in the frame threads is probably a lot harder & stiffer.

GOOD LUCK!