Slugging a Barrel from a 1860 +/- Colt Revolver

Brassman66

Brassman66

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Victoria BC or up the Creek northeast of Prince Ge
Taking the advice given in the Lyman # 44 Reloading Book, before I even consider shooting this new to me 150+ year old Colt Revolver I am going to Slug the Barrel.

I know the procedure for more modern Guns but I am wondering if Slugging a BP Revolver Barrel is different and/or what to watch for.

Any knowledge based advice would be appreciated.

Thanks - K.
 
Why?

The black powder is going to bump up a lead ball anyways.

If the balls oversize youl have a lead ring while seating the bullet in the cylinder. The focus needs to be a ball that seats well in the cylinder, nothing more.
 
I can actually se a benefit to the OP wanting to slug the bore if for nothing else he will know to start the procedure with a ball that will fit in the bore but wont over-tax the push rod mechanism like a grossly oversized ball might...the more thickness he has to cut off will increase the strain.
 
Chamber fit is much more important. When seated a ball needs to have a lead ring shaved off. A ball that’s loose in the chamber is going to give poor accuracy. Never bother slugging the bores in my BP revolvers. Soft lead will bump up with the pressure or size down depending on your barrel. Chamber fit is much more important than barrel.
 
Brassman66 said:
Taking the advice given in the Lyman # 44 Reloading Book, before I even consider shooting this new to me 150+ year old Colt Revolver I am going to Slug the Barrel.

I know the procedure for more modern Guns but I am wondering if Slugging a BP Revolver Barrel is different and/or what to watch for.

Any knowledge based advice would be appreciated.

Thanks - K.
Click to expand...
If you want to slug the bore, then find an appropriate piece of dead soft lead… depending on the diameter, a fishing weight of some description works well. Depending on the info you wish to obtain, you can force the slug through with a close to diameter brass rod, or seat it just enough to get land and groove diameter and gently tap out.

R.
 
Thanks to all for your comment. I should have mentioned this Revolver is a original Colt Richards conversion in .44 which takes a Cartridge with a Heeled Bullet. I would not call myself a 100% Perfectionist but with this new addition to my small collection I would like to know the facts of the Bore if I and that is not a sure thing want to actually pop a few Shots out
 
I need to do 2 BP cartridge revolvers as well. What are you using for lead. I have bullets for loading but im not sure if they are soft enough to slug with. Mines a S&W model 1and a half in .32rf and the other is a colt thunderer in 41lc
 
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