Post by Bullshop on Jan 10, 2020 14:52:39 GMT -7
question
On another note; I just ordered a batch of 40-65 bullets, Gas Checked and sized to .408. I just slugged the bore of this rifle and it turns out to be .406. Can I use the bullets I ordered from you?
answer
Shooting cast bullets that are .002” over groove diameter is standard procedure. The one issue is weather or not they will chamber. Old Winchester rifles are notorious for having minimal throat diameters. This for two reasons one that the old brass had thinner necks in most cases and two that the original black powder loads used bullets that were smaller in diameter than barrel groove diameter. Many of the old black powder rounds were totally dependent on bullet obturation for accuracy. The reason they used what we today would call undersize bullets is to allow for black powder fouling build up . If you consider that all muzzle loading conical bullets work in the same way totally dependent on bullet obturation then its seems not such an off idea.
Anyway that was history and this is the present where the general consensus is that cast bullets must be at least .002” over groove diameter or there is no chance for accuracy. So there you go, take your pick because both can work well under their prescribed conditions.
A long story short if the ammo with the .408” bullets chambers freely it is safe to shoot and should be capable of good accuracy. In the end though as always accuracy will be had by using what the gun says it likes and not necessarily what you think it should like.
On another note; I just ordered a batch of 40-65 bullets, Gas Checked and sized to .408. I just slugged the bore of this rifle and it turns out to be .406. Can I use the bullets I ordered from you?
answer
Shooting cast bullets that are .002” over groove diameter is standard procedure. The one issue is weather or not they will chamber. Old Winchester rifles are notorious for having minimal throat diameters. This for two reasons one that the old brass had thinner necks in most cases and two that the original black powder loads used bullets that were smaller in diameter than barrel groove diameter. Many of the old black powder rounds were totally dependent on bullet obturation for accuracy. The reason they used what we today would call undersize bullets is to allow for black powder fouling build up . If you consider that all muzzle loading conical bullets work in the same way totally dependent on bullet obturation then its seems not such an off idea.
Anyway that was history and this is the present where the general consensus is that cast bullets must be at least .002” over groove diameter or there is no chance for accuracy. So there you go, take your pick because both can work well under their prescribed conditions.
A long story short if the ammo with the .408” bullets chambers freely it is safe to shoot and should be capable of good accuracy. In the end though as always accuracy will be had by using what the gun says it likes and not necessarily what you think it should like.
