Lead bullets mic oversize--what are the effects if used?

Failure to chamber is a case issue not a bullet issue (assuming right COAL)
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This would most likely be true of a jacketed bullet, but I have ran across the issue of not chambering with a cast bullet such as the OP is inquiring about.
And, it was not an issue of COAL, it was solely related to the size of the cast bullet being too large in the wrong place.
 
I've seen both. I bought some really cheap Eastern European-made hardball at a gun show one time and couldn't get a jacketed bullet seated in those cases to chamber. It turned out the bullets that came with it were all about 0.449", and the brass was very thick at the mouth. Too thick for a 0.451" bullet. Someone in tooling at the factory likely did a metric conversion incorrectly.

At the other extreme, R-P cases tend to have thin case mouths. My first carbide 45 Auto die, a Lyman I acquired in the late 70's or early 80's, could only resize them a couple of times before they work hardened to the point it couldn't narrow them enough to hold a bullet again. The tighter Dillon dies I use on my progressive press now don't seem to have that problem. Still, it tells you how thin they were, and still are, AFAIK. So the OP might have no trouble loading his 0.4535" bullets in R-P cases and have them chamber.
 
RC20. Am I missing something here or was the issue they would not chamber?
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Original post states the rounds chamber in all his 45s...

Several things/conditions contribute to chambering difficulties other than just case diameter, with bullet shape/diameter being prolly 80%...:o
 
FOLLOW-UP Lead bullets mic oversize--what are the effects if used?

Gentlemen,

A few days ago I started a thread entitled "Lead bullets mic oversize--what are the effects if used?". I was asked by several participants to get back and explain the results of my testing. As you recall, the 45 caliber hard cast lead bullets measured .4535" in diameter, and I was concerned about pressures. After several of you assured me that there would be no harm in loading them, I did so. And sure enough, there were no problems with shooting them either. I developed a couple of loads (5.4 and 6.1 grains of Unique) that group well out of my Springfield Range Officer compact, plus they are a pleasure to shoot in the little lightweight pistol.

I did call the bullet manufacturer, after the fact, and discussed it with one of the technicians. The comment was: "their lead bullets that diameter are within specifications" and should shoot well. That they do.

Anyway, that is my follow-up on the other thread.

Thank you,
Gene Pool
 
I've used some that measured .453 and they worked just fine, they were supposed to be .452. I had to bell the cases a little more but they shot very well.
 
The Beartooth Bullets technical manual describes an experiment with a revolver in which bullets sized 0.001", 0.002", and 0.003" over groove diameter (measured by slugging) were tried. The 0.002" over groove shot best, but 0.003" over shot worst. So you have to experiment to find what's best in your gun.

I will merge this thread with the original so the questions and answers stay together for some future reader.
 
As long as the lead chambers, your good to go. There will be little if any difference between the pressure of a .452 and a .4535 bullet. The lead is actually supposed to be a little oversized.
 
Good to know your loads shot well for you and you found something you liked pretty quick.

Thanks for posting up the results. Lots of times threads like this end up with nothing to show for the effort, the OP just either gives up or doesn't give any more feedback. In your case this is a great hing as like Nick mentioned future searches will probably find it and may be able to solve their issue with out even asking about it. That said, with no follow up it is a long read for nothing at the end.

Thanks again and happy shooting.
 
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