A little fun with numbers here. Thought I'd get a thread going here pertaining to Caliber, Bore, Groove, Chamber, and Ball size. I was reading a BP thread on a British forum and it seems like they are all bonkers over caliber specifics. Apparently, it has something to do with obtaining a license to buy a BP revolver.
I've posted the specs below on two blackpowder revolvers. So a couple of questions come to mind such as: What makes the ROA a .45 caliber while the Remington is a .44 caliber? Is it typical or atypical that the ball, in a BP revolver, is swagged down to the inner barrel/groove diameter?
From the specs it appears the ball, for the ROA, is swagged down making contact with the inner surface of the barrel. In other words, not only does the ball make contact with the lands it also makes contact with the entire inner surface area. With the Remington, on the other hand, it would appear that ball rides on the lands without contact with the inner barrel surface (the grooved dimension if you will).
Ruger Old Army
Caliber: .45"
Lands/Bore Diameter: .443"
Groove Diameter: .451"
Chamber Diameter: .453"
Ball: .457"
Uberti 1858 Standard Remington
Caliber: .44"
Lands/Bore Diameter: .440"
Groove Diameter: .460"
Chamber Diameter: .450"
Ball: .454"
The data came from the specs listed in the Dixie Gunworks catalog. I wonder if the groove diameter listed for the Standard Remington is in error. Although, if a typo, Dixie has the Standard and Millennium Uberti's with .460 groove diameter whereas the Stainless version is listed with a .452 groove diameter.
I've posted the specs below on two blackpowder revolvers. So a couple of questions come to mind such as: What makes the ROA a .45 caliber while the Remington is a .44 caliber? Is it typical or atypical that the ball, in a BP revolver, is swagged down to the inner barrel/groove diameter?
From the specs it appears the ball, for the ROA, is swagged down making contact with the inner surface of the barrel. In other words, not only does the ball make contact with the lands it also makes contact with the entire inner surface area. With the Remington, on the other hand, it would appear that ball rides on the lands without contact with the inner barrel surface (the grooved dimension if you will).
Ruger Old Army
Caliber: .45"
Lands/Bore Diameter: .443"
Groove Diameter: .451"
Chamber Diameter: .453"
Ball: .457"
Uberti 1858 Standard Remington
Caliber: .44"
Lands/Bore Diameter: .440"
Groove Diameter: .460"
Chamber Diameter: .450"
Ball: .454"
The data came from the specs listed in the Dixie Gunworks catalog. I wonder if the groove diameter listed for the Standard Remington is in error. Although, if a typo, Dixie has the Standard and Millennium Uberti's with .460 groove diameter whereas the Stainless version is listed with a .452 groove diameter.