dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Sept 26, 2017 14:59:56 GMT -5
How many of you FA owners have had your throats opened up due to them being undersized? I've asked a couple questions about my new to me FA (Model 83 44 Magnum 7 1/2" Premier Grade) and though I haven't been able to shoot it yet, know the throats are under sized.
I picked it up off of RugerForum.com a couple weeks ago and got a very good deal especially considering the extras that came with it. Happy as I am with it, I can't help but think opening up and making all the throats exactly the same will never hurt and probably help. I size my cast bullets to .430" (Accurate Molds WFN and LFN) and no bullet will even consider sliding through. A loaded round will chamber, though they are tight, but the loaded round will need to be pushed out using the ejector rod.
I will shoot it this weekend to see what I've got, but I'm just checking to see if any others have opened yours up.
Thanks, Dale
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Post by dougader on Sept 26, 2017 15:28:31 GMT -5
Yes, shoot it first to see what you have. If it's all aces, then I'd leave it alone. FA is known for tight specs all around.
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Post by clintsfolly on Sept 26, 2017 15:32:32 GMT -5
As a general rule alway work on the cheapest part. Or to look at it a different way Work on a $300-500 cylinder or buy a $30 sizer die. You chose.
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 26, 2017 15:36:14 GMT -5
As a general rule alway work on the cheapest part. Or to look at it a different way Work on a $300-500 cylinder or buy a $30 sizer die. You chose. This is great advice. I have a few revolvers that like smaller bullets. I just get the Lee Custom Shop to build me a sizer.
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Post by Alaskan454 on Sept 26, 2017 15:46:36 GMT -5
If it will chamber, shoot it first. I've shot plain cast up to .002" over throat size in mine with excellent accuracy to 50 and 100 yds. Always shoot it first before changing critical dimensions on a revolver. Interesting things can happen to a bullet when the primer goes off.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Sept 26, 2017 15:47:39 GMT -5
As a general rule alway work on the cheapest part. Or to look at it a different way Work on a $300-500 cylinder or buy a $30 sizer die. You chose. I hear you loud and clear. I do have a set of sizers (Lube a Matic and Lee) that lie like a rug and have .429" on them, but come out smaller. I know I'm putting the cart ahead of the horse, but don't we do that on a continuous basis here ? I will more than likely find it shoots as I hope, but how many wouldn't even hesitate to send a Ruger cylinder off with small throats? I'm just kicking tires here.
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Post by Alaskan454 on Sept 26, 2017 15:49:43 GMT -5
I'll shoot all of them first these days before cutting, some actually shoot better with a press in fit.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Sept 26, 2017 16:19:08 GMT -5
Understood.
I'm an accuracy nut and can't help myself. Nothing has been cut yet, and I can and will try a couple different sizes before the cylinder goes anywhere.
Just seeing if any FA owners have needed to open up the throats.
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Post by cas on Sept 26, 2017 17:15:29 GMT -5
The fact that you can't push a bullet through means ONE thing for sure. The throats are not oversized. And that's about all it means for sure. Trust me. I reamed one FA 357 cylinder for a customer years ago and I was terrified. Swore I'd never work on one again and didn't. In all likelihood all I did was take it from .357" to .358"
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Sept 26, 2017 17:35:41 GMT -5
My 357 FA came with an LBT mold made for it. It could be undersized.....it could also be the exact proper size. I am like the gents above, spend some coin on a sizer before removing somthing that can't be put back. A Keith style may not fit because of close tolerances and the front driving band being so wide. Jeff
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diddle
.30 Stingray
Posts: 469
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Post by diddle on Sept 26, 2017 17:44:45 GMT -5
I size my 44's to 0.430", too. And, mine won't push through the throats of my FA 44 Special cylinder either. But, it will shoot 5 of 'em in one ragged hole at 50-yards. IIRC, my throats are 0.429" and the groove-to-groove diameter of the barrel is 0.429". It's been a long time since I measured mine so my memory may be off a bit. Shoot that baby before you start worrying. The FA folks are pretty good at their game.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Sept 26, 2017 18:29:57 GMT -5
My 357 FA came with an LBT mold made for it. It could be undersized.....it could also be the exact proper size. I am like the gents above, spend some coin on a sizer before removing somthing that can't be put back. A Keith style may not fit because of close tolerances and the front driving band being so wide. Jeff As far as any Keith style bullets go, the last ones I had got melted down for the alloy quite while back. Right, wrong, or indifferent, all I cast is either a LFN or a WFN style bullet. That would be the reason I can get them to chamber when loaded I suspect. Everyone's point is well taken. It will be shot with the .430" bullets first then .429". I've sized enough of both diameter (bullets from the same casting session) to fire the same load back to back. I've got 255 grain WFN, 265 grain LFN, and a favorite of my SBH is a 290 grain LFNGC. I'll play with loads before metal gets removed. Thanks for the experience here.
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 26, 2017 18:34:23 GMT -5
There is a link on the FA site for the revolver specs. The 44 Magnum and 44 Special are listed at .4295".
I suspect this is to split the difference between .430" cast and .429" jacketed.
I do understand that .430" WFN can be a problem. I've experienced that in other revolvers.
My FA97 in 44 Special measures exactly as the specs call for and handles .430" cast just fine.
Hope you'll share your results with us.
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Post by taffin on Sept 26, 2017 18:54:28 GMT -5
How many of you FA owners have had your throats opened up due to them being undersized? I've asked a couple questions about my new to me FA (Model 83 44 Magnum 7 1/2" Premier Grade) and though I haven't been able to shoot it yet, know the throats are under sized. I picked it up off of RugerForum.com a couple weeks ago and got a very good deal especially considering the extras that came with it. Happy as I am with it, I can't help but think opening up and making all the throats exactly the same will never hurt and probably help. I size my cast bullets to .430" (Accurate Molds WFN and LFN) and no bullet will even consider sliding through. A loaded round will chamber, though they are tight, but the loaded round will need to be pushed out using the ejector rod. I will shoot it this weekend to see what I've got, but I'm just checking to see if any others have opened yours up. Thanks, Dale HAVE BEEN SHOOTING FA SIXGUNS IN ALL CHAMBERINGS, WELL OVER TWO DOZEN, FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND HAV ENEVER FOUND IT NECESSARY TO CHANGE THEIR SPECS. MY 7-1/2" .44 MAGNUM HAS 24 STRAIGHT ONE SHOT KILLS ON DEER PLUS ONE COUGAR. IT IS JUST AS IT CAME FROM FA. BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING CALL FREEDOM ARMS AND DISCUSS THIS WITH BOB BAKER. THIER CYLINDERS ARE TIGHT FOR A REASON.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Sept 26, 2017 19:37:16 GMT -5
How many of you FA owners have had your throats opened up due to them being undersized? I've asked a couple questions about my new to me FA (Model 83 44 Magnum 7 1/2" Premier Grade) and though I haven't been able to shoot it yet, know the throats are under sized. I picked it up off of RugerForum.com a couple weeks ago and got a very good deal especially considering the extras that came with it. Happy as I am with it, I can't help but think opening up and making all the throats exactly the same will never hurt and probably help. I size my cast bullets to .430" (Accurate Molds WFN and LFN) and no bullet will even consider sliding through. A loaded round will chamber, though they are tight, but the loaded round will need to be pushed out using the ejector rod. I will shoot it this weekend to see what I've got, but I'm just checking to see if any others have opened yours up. Thanks, Dale HAVE BEEN SHOOTING FA SIXGUNS IN ALL CHAMBERINGS, WELL OVER TWO DOZEN, FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND HAV ENEVER FOUND IT NECESSARY TO CHANGE THEIR SPECS. MY 7-1/2" .44 MAGNUM HAS 24 STRAIGHT ONE SHOT KILLS ON DEER PLUS ONE COUGAR. IT IS JUST AS IT CAME FROM FA. BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING CALL FREEDOM ARMS AND DISCUSS THIS WITH BOB BAKER. THIER CYLINDERS ARE TIGHT FOR A REASON. The article on your 7 1/2" FA 44 Magnum long ago is one of the reasons I was pleased to get it. I appreciate the lessons and points. I'll admit to over thinking accuracy. My experience is all with Ruger's Blackhawk's and I bet I've spent money where it didn't need to go looking to make an accurate revolver more accurate. This thread was just my way of asking if anyone has seen the need to mess with the dimensions on a FA. I have recieved my answer from you all. I'll worry about something else like if a set of French Walnut grips will look better than birdseye Mesquite. I think I will look for a 357 Magnum to go with this 44. I've read your article on them too, but I doubt I'll see the need to push them as hard as they can go.
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