To slug or not to slug..?

[M113A3]

With a moden Uberti 1873 that is .429 is slugging really needed? Or is having the chamber cast? Or..?

I ask only because I want to buy a right sized bullet.

Thanks

[Blackfoot]

To know if it is really .429 you will need to slug the bore.  I use a bullet that is about .001 over bore size.  If you use it for CAS it won't really be an issue unless you plan to use it in long range events.  Your mileage may vary.

Blackfoot

[Litl Red]

With a moden Uberti 1873 that is .429 is slugging really needed? Or is having the chamber cast? Or..?

I ask only because I want to buy a right sized bullet.

Thanks

A shooting buddy of mine said almost exactly the same words.   

A box of pure lead roundballs costs how much?   Hornady sells them in many, many sizes for about $12 a box.  Buy some the next size larger than your advertised .429 barrel and find out for sure what it actually measures.   

My buddy discovered his 45-70 barrel was bigger than the biggest slugs he could buy for 45-70.    He spent months shooting it to work up "the most accurate" load it would like.   After that expense he got it slugged.   And got the bad news.  His next move is to try hollow base bullets to see if they'll seal that tube.

If you're only going to shoot cowboy matches however, just try out a couple of the brands you can find easily and go with the most accurate.     

[Gabriel Law]

I recently went through this issue.  I converted my little 1849 Colt pocket pistol to fire cartridges - .32 S & W.  I bought a box (500) of .312" 76 gr. bullets and loaded up some ammo.  At ten yards, it shoots just fine, but at 25 yds., I see the bullets are key-holing through the target.  After I cleaned it, I tapped one of my naked bullets into the bore and held it up to the light.  The bullet was engraved by the lands but was a long way short of the grooves.  So I slugged it and found my bore is .328" to the bottoms of the grooves.

So, I ordered a new double cavity mold, sizing/lubricating die and top punch through BACo to cast a bullet that will be more appropriate, and I'll start over.  Without slugging the bore, I was just guessing (and hoping).

[Pettifogger]

How many billions of rounds are fired each year and how many people have the vagest idea what their actual bore diameter is?  I never even think about slugging a bore unless there is an accuracy or severe leading problem.  For some it is a feel good thing.  If it makes you (not the OP, but the generic "you") feel good, then do it.  Otherwise don't worry about it unless you are having a problem.

[M113A3]

Thanks for the replies guys.

If someone with a newer Uberti 73 that has slugged the bore can post the results I would be interested. 

Cheers!

[Blackfoot]

Another gun even if made on the same day might or might not slug the same as yours.  What it really boils down to is slug yours or just go with .429. or .430 or whatever.

Blackfoot

[Litl Red]

With a moden Uberti 1873 that is .429 is slugging really needed? Or is having the chamber cast? Or..?

I ask only because I want to buy a right sized bullet.

Thanks

Sounds like the rifle hasn't been shot yet.   If you're hoping to save some money on bullets by not buying some that won't work, chances are good that anything will work good enough to use up.    Chances are also good that you won't have but two choices when it comes to finding bullet sizes.   

It's always good to try different sizes anyway.    And it's truly impossible to predict or even figure the odds on what the best size will be.    So it'll be smart to try whatever sizes are available and see what your rifle likes.   The thing to do is get the size bullet best for the size the barrel is supposed to be.   Or better yet, get that size and the next up.   That way you have the chance to test in side by side comparison.   That's the best way to test anyway.   You not only find out if one bullet is better than the other, but you get to see how good the rifle seems to be.   It's easier to figure the rifle sucks if more than just one bullet sucks.  It's easier to guess the rifle is good if both bullets are accurate.   And then you get to pick which to keep shooting...   and have a base from which to try a third bullet.

If it were my rifle, I'd be starting with larger instead of smaller.  Lead gives the most problems when undersized and too hard.  If you're buying commercial cast, the probability is it's too hard anyway.  No matter how hard, it's still lead, and sizes down no matter how hard.   

Bore and groove sizes are a flip of the coin with the imported rifles.   Shoot to see what works or slug and possibly save some time, effort and money.

Best thing about this hobby is there is always another reason you gotta go shoot some....     

[M113A3]

Thanks for the extra info... I might just slug the bore for the hell of it.

[Jefro]

With a moden Uberti 1873 that is .429 is slugging really needed? Or is having the chamber cast? Or..?

I ask only because I want to buy a right sized bullet.

Thanks

Howdy M11343, IMHO slugging is not needed.............429 is what the Uberti likes . Unless of course (as  Pettifogger mentioned) you have an accuracy or leading problem, I've yet to hear or see any with .429. Good Luck

Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[cpt dan blodgett]

If in doubt Desparado Cowboy bullets are soft and will bump up to fill the barrel.  I shoot the .430 out of my overbored rossi .434-5 get round holes and 6 inch groups at 100 yards vs keyholes at 25 with hard casts and same size group.  Was seriously considering getting rid of rifle or buying a new barre prior to shooting the desparado bullets.

They shoot just fine out of my other much newer rossi that is supposed to have a .429 bore

[M113A3]

Thanks for the additional comments. I took at look at Cowboy Bullets and see the .44 in both .428 and .430 and I can pick up a sample amount to test out. Being that they are "soft" I will go for the .430.

Cheers

[cpt dan blodgett]

You may be able to get them to send a mixed sized sample if you actually call and talk to them

[Litl Red]

Heck, Desparado Bullets sounds like what we've needed in a cast bullet retailer since day one. 

Only $12 for a sample of 100 45s.   Only need two different samples.  Excellent value, just plain excellent.

They actually understand about BHN and make it reasonable to find out how they work for you.