Recently have had three conversations about cast bullet diameter which caused me to study my data collection with that in mind. In every case the diameter our Uberti .357’s preferred was .359 . A number of times I also sized the bullets to .358 for direct comparison. In the case of our most often used Ram load tested at 200y the .358 printed 6” groups and the .359 printed 3” groups also recording smaller extreme velocity spreads and 15fps slower velocity. With a well fitting bullet that’s not overly hard, leading is also reduced or eliminated. Although leading can have significant differences from one barrel to the next. If you’re going to shoot cast I recommend starting with the largest diameter you can find for your cartridge. Buy a few cheap Lee sizers to go smaller and test. You can never make them fatter but you can make them skinnier.

Barrel cleaning - This topic was discussed by a group at the recent Arkansas state Championship. The overall consensus seemed less is okay. The winner of the event pulled a snake through the bore and proclaimed that was the first cleaning in a year. I clean at the end of each match typically when we get home. That cleaning is pulling about 1/2 dozen patches through the bore with whatever magic cleaner suits your fancy. After years of this process the bores are mirror bright. I do soak the throats a few times a season with a carbon remover and pay special attention to the crown for any overly abundant build up.

Maybe this information will be helpful to some and blasphemy to others. Bottom line, do what makes you comfortable. Feeling confident is likely more important than the details of the process.

That last sentence, very well put!