I previously mentioned bore slugging HERE.
I just slugged the bore of my 44.40.
One slug was sized at .429, and the other at .430.
It’s said you should go from the breech to the muzzle. But due to the size of the oak dowel I get at Lowe’s Home Center, I had to do the opposite.
It was rather easy actually.
But due to the manufacturing in consistencies usually found in old timey guns, I’m thinking the .430 might be best. Only based on the fact that it took a little more effort to get it through the barrel.
Just need to discuss my findings with a few people.
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I’ve had a lot of luck using the two dowel method. By putting a dowel in the barrel as a backstop and hammering the slug into it it will expand the bullet solidly into the bore. After the slug is firmly seated you take the “backstop” dowel out of the bore and hammer the slug the rest of the way through the barrel.
It was also suggested to me to try and get a lead ball, from a muzzleloading shop to slug it with.
Another helpful tip, is to cut the dowel into sections, makes it easier to control when tapping it through.
Now I just about 200 rounds of too undersized cartridges loaded.