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Post by jensonev on Aug 3, 2024 16:46:13 GMT -5
My BFR 357 Magnum has a .3555" Bore. In my experience .358" is too big. Yep. 38/357 bore dimensions are the same as 9mm. Roughly .346 lands and .355 grooves. |
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Post by sixguntech on Aug 4, 2024 11:55:44 GMT -5
My BFR 357 Magnum has a .3555" Bore. In my experience .358" is too big. I've always preferred a bore to choke bullets down a bit. Especially when shooting cast bullets which I do 99% of the time. I've shot a lot of Stateline 195 grn Bullets in mine with excellent accuracy. Encore, I pickup what you are putting down. In my time of messing with the 353 Casull (Freedom Arms) and a custom Ruger Bisley, fitted with a .358 barrel (both were 1:14” twist), I was shooting mostly jacketed bullets of .357 and .358 diameter and recorded tremendous accuracy and velocity, at the time I foolishly believed a cast bullet would be all kinds of problems at the pressures and velocities I was chasing…..Live and learn as they say. Steve |
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Post by Encore64 on Aug 4, 2024 12:19:59 GMT -5
Yeah, with jacketed bullets that's fine.
I've had really poor luck with oversized bores and cast bullets.
I've got an O.M. Ruger Blackhawk 30 Carbine with .309" Throats and a .310" Barrel. It'll shoot .308/9" jacketed bullets lights out. Feed it cast and it "patterns" like buckshot.
Luckily, I have time to calm down while scrubbing the lead out of the barrel.
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Post by bigbore5 on Aug 4, 2024 12:32:56 GMT -5
My FA 353 slugs at .3558. the Rugers are .3563-.3571. The Smiths are .3562-.3568. I size to .3580 and have all my throats at .358 by either Fermin or Doug at Cylinder Hone. They all will group 2" or less at 25yds with cast bullets. A few considerably less.
I can't wait until the funds are right for one of the BFR 454 in a 6-1/2". While I am not a fan of the 454 usually, I think loaded to Ruger only level in 454 brass with 300-345gr cast bullets it should be a fine hunting gun for the US.
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Post by Encore64 on Aug 4, 2024 13:17:56 GMT -5
My FA 353 slugs at .3558. the Rugers are .3563-.3571. The Smiths are .3562-.3568. I size to .3580 and have all my throats at .358 by either Fermin or Doug at Cylinder Hone. They all will group 2" or less at 25yds with cast bullets. A few considerably less. I can't wait until the funds are right for one of the BFR 454 in a 6-1/2". While I am not a fan of the 454 usually, I think loaded to Ruger only level in 454 brass with 300-345gr cast bullets it should be a fine hunting gun for the US. That's exactly my thinking in buying this gun... The tight chambers and incredible brass strength will provide long life loaded to 30k 45 Colt Ballistics. The long cylinder will provide the needed nose length for some bullet designs. The 1-16" Twist will stabilize the heaviest bullets even at modest velocities. Being able to use both SP and SR Primers is a benefit when things get hard to find. Also, the experienced (non hysterical) understands it's just fine to shoot 45 Colt in 454 Chambers if Small Primers aren't available. |
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Post by bigbore5 on Aug 5, 2024 4:05:33 GMT -5
Just clean the cylinder after shooting the shorter brass before the carbon ring builds up and gets too hard. Lesson learned on that.
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Post by Encore64 on Aug 24, 2024 11:25:17 GMT -5
A few weeks with this revolver has only improved my first assessment. It has been accurate with all bullets ranging from 250-328 grn.
The front sight was a little tall for my loads which are definitely well below Maximum 454 Casull Levels.
Today, a new one arrived from Fermin. A bit shorter and much easier for my 60 year old eyes to see.
Both the recently purchased 357 Magnum and 454 Casull BFRs have exceeded expectations.
Maybe a 500 Linebaugh on the horizon...
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