Bullet sizes

[Nanook85]

Something of a newbie question. I'm getting ready to reload for a .25-35 lever gun, and picked up some .25 caliber bullets(measures .257). I looked at the book I have for the cartridge and it calls for a .258 bullet. Do I need to find a .258 bullet or will the .257 work? The gun was given to me by my grandpa, so I'd rather not screw it up.

[the Razorhead]

smaller dia. bullets won't affect the gun physically, but they're not going to be the most accurate things in the world...

have a gunsmith slug the barrell and determine actual barrell groove diameter and go from there...

[eldeguello]

ORIGINAL: Nanook85

Something of a newbie question. I'm getting ready to reload for a .25-35 lever gun, and picked up some .25 caliber bullets(measures .257). I looked at the book I have for the cartridge and it calls for a .258 bullet. Do I need to find a .258 bullet or will the .257 work? The gun was given to me by my grandpa, so I'd rather not screw it up.

.258" might be a little better if you are using CAST BULLETS. For a jacketed bullet, .257" is the STANDARD DIAMETER for all .25-cal. cartridges loaded in the U.S., including the .25-35. Use them!

There is NO NEED in the world to slug and mike that rifle's bore, since no-one makes .258" jacketed bullets anyway!

[hunter5325]

+1

[okgobbler]

Make sure you are not using pointed bullets in a tubular mag. Alot of the 25 cal stuff is made for bolt action hunting guns. Sorry, not trying it insult your intelligence, just didn't want anyone to get hurt.