HuntingNet.com Forums - My first new ML in 7 years

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaniel (Post 3544913)

The groove diameter is .458 but the land diameter is supposed to be closer to .45. What many people do (and I will try eventually) is get a sizing die a couple thousands smaller than the bore diameter and size down the .451 and .452 bullets, then knurl between two rough files to bring them back up to fit the bore tight enough to be accurate yet loose enough to ram down. Then shoot sabotless. I believe this will only work well with jacketed bullets, I have not heard of anyone trying it with lead bullets as I don't think the knurling would provide enough resistance against the bore.

It's a very interesting idea however and I appreciate the offer. How much thickness can you paper patch? Perhaps this would be an option for .44cal bullets?

You can size paper patched bullets to what eve you need, 2 wraps of my tracing paper brings them up to .458. I have even sized them back to .452. The paper may give you the needed tension to allow you to light the powder reliably. I am very familiar with Knurling using files:D

I to am a member of the Green board and have followed your build, I am "Screwbolts" there also. :wave:

My hard cast are note pure lead, paper patching allows softer lead to be shot ant high velocity without leading. Pure lead could be Patched and successfully shot to near or equal to condom wrapped lead speed. Just a thought on paper patching. I intend to paper patch my smooth sided Boolits for a 45/70 Sharps .