Big Lube bullets fin Dragoons/Walkers

Deadguy · April 25, 2008, 11:17:33 AM

I am getting tempted to try out DD's Big Lube for the ROA in my Dragoon. Anyone have experience shooting them in a Dragoon or Walker? If so, how's the accuracy? Is it better than round balls? I've found the Lee 200 grain REAL to be more accurate, as well as faster loading, and if anyone else has tried both the REAL and the Big Lube, how do they compare? Thanks!

Dick Dastardly · April 25, 2008, 11:24:25 AM

One quick question, the answers will tell much about how Big Lube™ bullets will work from your gun. If you've slugged the barrel and miked the slug and the chamber size, what are the readings???

These are the main questions that need to be answered before an intelligent prediction can be made.

Standing by,

DD-DLoS

Deadguy · April 25, 2008, 01:46:42 PM

The chambers on my Dragoon measure at .4525", and the barrel slugs at .455".

Dick Dastardly · April 25, 2008, 03:05:04 PM

Well, there ya have it. Chambers smaller than the barrel. The gun has a guaranteed gas leak around the bullet. I'd have those chambers reamed to .454 or .455.

Both the Big Lube™ C&B bullets will work. They have rebated bases for easy alignment and seating. The bullets drop from the mold at .457 and easily size to .454. The rebated base is .450.

So, you have two great Big Lube™ options. I sell the molds, but if you want to try a sampler before buying a mold, I have samplers listed on my web site that you can populate with the bullets of your choosing. Click on my banner below to get immediately to the Big Lube™ web site.

Happy shootn'.

DD-DLoS

Deadguy · April 25, 2008, 03:57:45 PM

Yes, but all cap and ball revolvers have chambers smaller than the bore. The 1851 navy does, the 1860 army does, even the Remingtons do. They were designed that way. It doesn't stop them from shooting well, at least when using soft lead. Not only that, but most have chambers much smaller than the bore compared to my Dragoon. For example, the 1851 Navy has roughly .366" chambers with a .375" bore. If a lead ball can bump up to fit that, is there any reason why a Big Lube shouldn't be able to bump up from .452" to .455"?

Cuts Crooked · April 25, 2008, 04:56:07 PM

Quote from: Deadguy on April 25, 2008, 03:57:45 PM
Yes, but all cap and ball revolvers have chambers smaller than the bore. The 1851 navy does, the 1860 army does, even the Remingtons do. They were designed that way. It doesn't stop them from shooting well, at least when using soft lead. Not only that, but most have chambers much smaller than the bore compared to my Dragoon. For example, the 1851 Navy has roughly .366" chambers with a .375" bore. If a lead ball can bump up to fit that, is there any reason why a Big Lube shouldn't be able to bump up from .452" to .455"?

True, I don't know why the Eyetalians make them like that?!?!?! But The originals weren't and I don't think the Roogers are either. I have had the chambers reamed on my Remingtons and they shoot MUCH better than they did with the undersized chambers! Try it, ya got nuthi to lose!

Dick Dastardly · April 25, 2008, 05:46:29 PM

My opinion is that the Italians make the chambers undersized cuz it's a lawyer thing. No way to build a lot of pressure if the bullet is too small when it enters the barrel. So, the gun won't come from together with an overload. But, it will never shoot as accurate as it would if the chambers matched the barrel. Otherwise, why would our most accurate guns take such care to get the chamber dimensions matched to the barrel size?

Anyway, my ROAs have .454 chambers and barrels. Walt Kirst makes his Kirst Konverters to match the barrel diameter. They are superbly accurate.

My sidekick, Silas McFee, was lucky enuf to win a Pietta 58 at the OWS banquet. That gun came with a Kirst Konverter cylinder and the original C&B cylinder. The Kirst Konverter miked at .454. The barrel slugged at .454. The chambers in the original C&B cylinder miked at .447. Walt since reamed out the C&B cylinder chambers to match the barrel. The gun now shoots very accurately with both cylinders. Previously, with the C&B cylinder in the gun, it wouldn't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside. FWIW, this is the same gun that Silas ran the torture test with that proved that 58s can run an entire match without need for any attention due to fouling.

So, I make the claim that the cylinder chambers should match the barrel diameter. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

DD-DLoS

Deadguy · April 25, 2008, 11:07:36 PM

Now where to find the elusive .456" reamer....

Dick Dastardly · April 26, 2008, 07:39:49 AM

I'm thinkn' that Brownells will have 'em.

http://www.brownells.com/

I'd look there first.

DD-DLoS

Steel Horse Bailey · April 27, 2008, 10:41:28 AM

Pretty PRICEY for the do-it-yerself - er! 'Specially if ya got more than one gun to be done!!

Deadguy · April 28, 2008, 08:08:13 AM

Considering that they only need to be opened up a few thousanths of an inch, what about using a dowel with some sandpaper?

Dick Dastardly · April 28, 2008, 08:17:55 AM

The trick would be keeping them round, concentric and the same size.

DD-DLoS

Pomona Pete · April 30, 2008, 02:01:44 PM

Reamer at MSC for $26.00, they are pretty good.

Deadguy · May 01, 2008, 01:32:33 PM

Does this "MSC" have a website?