.451 or .454?

[Eutycus]

I suppose there are some revolvers that could use either the .451 or the .454 diameter ball.It seems a fair amout of 44 shooters here prefer the .454. (And Ruger Old Army owners shoot the .457) So if the .454 can take the place of the .451 what is the point of the .451? Do some revolvers call for it only?

 

[bore_butter]

on my pietta 1858 new army i always used the .451 hornady ball and it shaved a ring. i bought some .454 hornady balls and when loading i had to push so hard that it sheared the pin in the plunger. i replaced all those components except for the rod. i decided to purchase a external cylinder loading stand but haven't had a chance to use it yet.

 

[gunnyr]

Eutycus, I have a Remington 1858 Army 44 cal. I guess the size of ball used would depend on the size of the cylinder
bores, I have 2 cylinders for mine and I use the .451 ball , they both will shave off a good ring of lead loading. One
better than the other. Have tried .454 it put a lot of , I felt unwanted preasure on the loading arm. I now have a
seperate cylinder tool that I use and all is well.
gunnyr
Richard

 

[gunnyr]

Bore Butter You will like the cylinder loading stand. No pun intended but it makes loading buttery smooth. Wish
I had mine earlier , bought mine from Traditions.
Gunnyr
Richard

 

[bang]

I use .451 in my short barreled Colt because the short ram makes .454 very difficult to ram but still cuts a small bit of ring.
My Rem 1858 it's the .454. shaves a good ring and provides better bearing surface in the riflings.
If my Rem 1858 cut a good ring with a .451 I would be checking the cylinder bore to barrel bore max.
44 cylinder bore should be .449 and that also depends on barrel max. I had a walker that the barrel measured .446. didn't shoot very good. Brought cylinder bore up to .451 and it shot very good.

 

[FishDFly]

Probably depends on who made the pistol more than anything else.

Cylinder loading stands are worth the money if you shoot much.

 

[Eutycus]

I'm a big believer in loading presses, there's just too much "oomph" on the rammer even though that's what they were made for. Maybe I should say too much pressure on the brass frame of the revolver.

 

[bore_butter]

Bore Butter You will like the cylinder loading stand. No pun intended but it makes loading buttery smooth. Wish
I had mine earlier , bought mine from Traditions.
Gunnyr
Richard

this is the stand i bought but never had the chance to use yet. has the attachments for 44cal. and 36cal.

 

[FishDFly]

Ah, a Powder Inc stand.

Another good one is Tower Of Power, but it is expensive.

 

[Notchy Bob]

this is the stand i bought but never had the chance to use yet. has the attachments for 44cal. and 36cal.

View attachment 60291

Now, that's a loading tool! Who makes it, and where did you find it? I could use something like that!

That stand appears to have adjustments to accommodate any cylinder. It looks to be a very clever and robust design. Jeez, a forward-thinking outdoorsman could probably even design an adapter for cracking hickory nuts with that dude!

Notchy Bob

 

[Eutycus]

My press is unattractive and homemade but it works.

 

[bore_butter]

that is a Powder Inc. stand but i can't remember what the cost was. got it at the end of 2019 as a self Christmas present but then came the virus before i could get to the range. can't shoot in the back yard because of the city so here we sit hid in the house.

 

[Eutycus]

I'm guessing at this time most ammo factories are only putting out their "best sellers" due to component shortages (lead). And probably not operating at full capacity anyway. Are they even gonna bother making both size balls for a while?

 

[Eutycus]

Functional

 

[Notchy Bob]

FunctionalView attachment 60293

Beauty is as beauty does. That does indeed look functional. I love it!

Notchy Bob

 

[B P Arn]

I have this one that I use for my Pietta Colt Paterson.

 

[JT1200R]

FunctionalView attachment 60293

What is that handle from? I need to make one for my 32 caliber

 

[toot]

this is the stand i bought but never had the chance to use yet. has the attachments for 44cal. and 36cal.

View attachment 60291

NEATO! where did you get it? what brand is it?

 

[FishDFly]

Powder Inc.

 

[bore_butter]

That stand appears to have adjustments to accommodate any cylinder. It looks to be a very clever and robust design. Jeez, a forward-thinking outdoorsman could probably even design an adapter for cracking hickory nuts with that dude!

Notchy Bob

never thought about that, use it at the range and then in the kitchen. i may get right on that one this spring.