Sizing .44 Mag bullets

longbowhntr

When I push a bullet down through the barrel of my 44 mag and then measure the bullet's diameter, it measures .425".My question is, what size should I size my bullets before I load them? I can get a .427, .429 or .430 sizer.What would you estimate to be the most accurate? Need some help.Longbowhntr

cpermd

I would bet on the 427You should try the 429 also and see which actually shoots better.cpermd

talon

I would think a jacketed .44 Mag going thru a .425" bore would be stressful to the pistol. Are you sure about those measurements? .427" is standard.

v35

I would use a soft lead 45 ball and drive it into the muzzle with a plastic/rawhide/copper /wooden mallet then drive it through the bore with a wooden dowel and remeasure it making sure you're measuring across lands. Make sure your micrometer or caliper is zeroed.I doubt your bore is less than .429. If it really is the bullet should be no more than .001 greater than the bore for best accuracy.

Iconoclast

Recovered projectiles have been distorted by impact. Either measure the bore as described by v35 or have this done by a gunsmith.

longbowhntr

I took V35's advise and drove a .45 cal round ball down through the barrel of my .44 mag pistol and sure enough, I did get a reading of .4307 when just exactly on top of the landings. I was just rotating the bullet and measuring it many times and when you do this, I was getting a reading of .425 every time and do with the ball as well. It is really tricky to get up on two lands exactly across the bore from one another. Now what size of sizer do you suggest?

cpermd

.431cpermd