Took the Rossi .357 Levergun To The Range This Morning

[JimT]

I sighted it in to hit POA at 50 yards. I used 3 different loads:

- 160 gr. cast FP @ 1500 +/- fps
- 158 gr. cast SWC @ 1500 +/- fps
- 125 gr. Speer JHP @ 2200 fps

The 125 gr. JHP hit basically the same POA as the heavier bullets which is pretty cool. And overall it was the most accurate today, though my shooting was nothing to write home about.

When I got back in the shop I checked the bore and it looked clean. I ran a bore snake through it several times, then pushed a .360" round ball through the barrel. When I measured it I got a bit over .355" on the micrometer, so I oiled the bore and pushed a Speer 125 gr. FMJ through the barrel. I indexed it so I could get it the same way each time and then oiled it and pushed it through the bore twice more.

The barrel seems a bit looser toward the chamber and that's not a bad thing. But the bore is tight. I don't mind that either but it may make a difference when working up loads. After 4 passes through the barrel the Speer FMJ mikes .3551" ... so I will probably break out my .356" die for the lubri-sizer.

The Bullet

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[.45colt]

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[Merle]

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Yep, a bit on the tight side...

[JimT]

I don't mind a tight bore. If the rifling is good and consistent, tight bores are usually pretty accurate.

[AJMD429]

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way better than some of the loosey-goosey 'pistol caliber' leverguns out there...!

[Griff]

Whether going for speed or not... a day at the range is relaxing... and if you're paying attention, a learning experience. I need to work on developing some loads suited to hunting for the C45S... This 1873 Short Rifle is just SO MUCH FUN to shoot!

[JimT]

Whether going for speed or not... a day at the range is relaxing... and if you're paying attention, a learning experience. I need to work on developing some loads suited to hunting for the C45S... This 1873 Short Rifle is just SO MUCH FUN to shoot!

I need to pick up some of those for the 480 Achilles. Gotta write myself a note and then have someone remind me to read it!

[Bill in Oregon]

Jim it never would have occurred to me to attempt to push a jacketed bullet through a rifle bore. How on earth did you index it if pushing from the chamber to the muzzle???

[JimT]

Jim it never would have occurred to me to attempt to push a jacketed bullet through a rifle bore. How on earth did you index it if pushing from the chamber to the muzzle???

I start at the muzzle and go toward the chamber.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I would think that a gently tapered bore would be very good for cast bullets as long as the machine marks were smoothed out. Isn't this exactly what happens with a fire lapped bore?

[JimT]

I would think that a gently tapered bore would be very good for cast bullets as long as the machine marks were smoothed out. Isn't this exactly what happens with a fire lapped bore?

I think so .. pretty close anyway. I don't know how much larger it is at the breech .. a casting would be about the only way to tell for sure. The bullets being pushed through still have drag so it's not much.

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Gently tapered toward the muzzle-----that's the barrel I always hope to find, they are hard to come by.

Yes, a good fire lap job is supposed to do pretty much the same. My results from firing lapping have been iffy.

[JimT]

Gently tapered toward the muzzle-----that's the barrel I always hope to find, they are hard to come by.
Yes, a good fire lap job is supposed to do pretty much the same. My results from firing lapping have been iffy.

If you want a tapered bore .. in my limited experience it's best to hand-lap.

[Drawdown]

A good day at range is often just what the Dr ordered! I just got back my myself, from confirming my sights with the new loads for my Mod 64. It was heavy overcast & calm, perfect for zeroing iron sights. I got em, I'm .
But I don't have the knowledge most you'll do, about checking a bore. I've slugged both mine levers with a lead slug, but just really for a comparison.
But your last statement Jim, about the size conclusion, and the lubrisizer. That means you know what size now for your cast bullets preparation??

[JimT]

But your last statement Jim, about the size conclusion, and the lubrisizer. That means you know what size now for your cast bullets preparation??

No. It just means I am gonna try them. Oversize bullets don't necessarily harm accuracy. Some of the most accurate target pistols made had bores quite undersize. Some of the .22's were .2175" ... compare that to today's practices.

I will try them and see if there is a difference. If there is I don't expect it to be a large difference.

[Drawdown]

Ok, I understand . Only thing I can add that I've noticed for sure. My 3 CZ 22's, all have bores that are significantly tighter. I have bunch 22's, have more experience with them than anything else. I quit trying to run a regular 22 Bore Snake thru it, you'll practically pull the string in 2 before you get it thru enough to grab the big part. I went to a .204 B.S. for them. And the regular patch on a jag that goes thru my others just fine, can't force it thru a CZ. They're very accurate. But I seen plenty other normal bores that are just as accurate!

[Scott Tschirhart]

It seems to me that most .357 ammo shoots to the same point of impact at reasonable ranges. Not sure why that is, but it also seems that 5 gr of Unique behind a 158 gr cast bullet will group right in there with the .357 loads.

Some cartridges (the .45 Colt comes to mind) are much different in that higher velocity loads (given the same bullet) can shoot much lower in my experience.