Originally Posted by
mounting man
HERE IS WHAT I RESEARCHED AND FOUND:
Because the pistols weren't originally. "45 Cal" was simply a redesignation of 44 Cal when cartridge bullets were introduced in pistols. "44 Cal" cap and ball revolvers had .452" grooves (+/- .002") but .446 - .448" bores. So, they weren't the same to start with. 45 Cal rifles were .450 (+/- .002" or so) bore in the muzzle loader days (.456" - .458" grooves) and that carried over to cartridge rifles.
Hows that for an answer?
Sounds pretty reasonable MountingMan. Looks like I learned something else today. Now if I can just figure out who this woman is that goes around cleaning the house and making me food then telling me what chores I have to do I'll be OK! Apparently she knows me because there are pictures of us on the foyer table??????????