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I need to order bullets for my new to me 86. Any suggestions on the diameter? Some of these older guns might need as much as a .408″ bullet.
Realized I messed up the Topic. It should read 40-65.
I edited the topic title for you.
In regards to your question, I suggest that you slug the bore to determine what bullet diameter you will need.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Sounds like an adventure! In addition to the bore slugging I like to measure the case mouth ID of fired cases, if available. Sometimes a bullet big enough to effectively engage the rifling is too big for the chamber or the case. But I suspect you know that, Chuck. Looking forward to your reports, I know nearly nothing about the 40-65.
Mike
I always slug the barrel but I don’t have any lead balls to use. Does any one have a contact for these? I need some for other calibers too.
I have heard that some neck turning could be required if the bullet diameter gets too large. Never have had to do this before so it will be a new experience for me and maybe some new tools as well. New tools are always a good thing.
November 7, 2015
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Chuck said
I always slug the barrel but I don’t have any lead balls to use. Does any one have a contact for these? I need some for other calibers too.I have heard that some neck turning could be required if the bullet diameter gets too large. Never have had to do this before so it will be a new experience for me and maybe some new tools as well. New tools are always a good thing.
Some days it pays to shoot muzzle loaders. I have .54 and .45 balls in my kit and I sacrifice a OO Buck shotgun shell now and then to slug smaller bores. Let me know if I can send you some.
Mike
Fishing weights of the appropriate diameter and design work well too.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Thanks for the comments. I ordered some pure lead balls in .424″, .451″ and .465″. This should cover the 40-60, the Henry and 66 and the 45 calibers. If too large I will roll/smash them to reduce the diameter enough to get them started.
November 7, 2015
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Yes, can roll them down if too big. In the case of 35 calibers I put a OO buckshot ball (33 caliber) on an anvil and smack it good with a hammer. May want to do that to slug the 44’s with a .424 ball. Don’t forget to lube the bore, never stuck a ball in a bore but I understand it’s no fun.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Yes, can roll them down if too big. In the case of 35 calibers I put a OO buckshot ball (33 caliber) on an anvil and smack it good with a hammer. May want to do that to slug the 44’s with a .424 ball. Don’t forget to lube the bore, never stuck a ball in a bore but I understand it’s no fun.
Mike
Mike the .451″ lead balls are for slugging the Henry and 66. These should slug out at about .445″ or so. The .421″ are for the 40-65 which should be somewhere between .406″ and .410″.
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