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mykeal · January 28, 2008, 07:58 PM

Well, wait a minute. What's the definition of "it won't fit"? A .451 ball will appear to not fit into the chamber of a .44 cal gun as it is intentionally oversize. If you don't know that it has to be forced in, you'd easily make the mistake of thinking it's too big.

The ball will be oversize for the chamber, but just slightly. If you just set it in the chamber mouth it will almost go halfway in. That's intentional; the ball should be slightly oversize and be a press fit into the chamber, shaving a small ring of lead as it is forced into place.

If the ball fits less than 1/3 of the way in the chamber then it may well be that the gun is not a .44 cal. The caliber should be stamped on the barrel.

January 28, 2008, 07:58 PM	#4
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Well, wait a minute. What's the definition of "it won't fit"? A .451 ball will appear to not fit into the chamber of a .44 cal gun as it is intentionally oversize. If you don't know that it has to be forced in, you'd easily make the mistake of thinking it's too big. The ball will be oversize for the chamber, but just slightly. If you just set it in the chamber mouth it will almost go halfway in. That's intentional; the ball should be slightly oversize and be a press fit into the chamber, shaving a small ring of lead as it is forced into place. If the ball fits less than 1/3 of the way in the chamber then it may well be that the gun is not a .44 cal. The caliber should be stamped on the barrel.