Slugging for Cast Bullet and Polymer Coating Questions

[henry]

1. Do Henry Owners slug their barrels to determine best cast bullet size or is that just a Marlin thing? I don't see it mentioned much here but it's all over the 'other' forum.

2. I like the idea of poly coated bullets. Would appreciate comments pro/con from users. Does it eliminate the need for gas checks? Reduce leading?
(EDIT) Questions with regard to 45-70)

[henry]

Hmmm...awful quiet. Maybe Henry controls barrel tolerances more closely and slugging is not needed for selecting cast bullet diameter. Poly bullets seem like a good way to go if they reduce maintenance and price isn't much different from lead. But if they were so good how come everyone isn't extolling their virtues?

[CT_Shooter]

Hmmm...awful quiet. Maybe Henry controls barrel tolerances more closely and slugging is not needed for selecting cast bullet diameter. Poly bullets seem like a good way to go if they reduce maintenance and price isn't much different from lead. But if they were so good how come everyone isn't extolling their virtues?

Don't be discouraged, Henry. Some of our members cast their own, so a knowledgeable reply will likely come from one of them. Everyone here isn't necessarily online every day. I do reload, but I don't cast boolits, so I don't know anything about how necessary it might be or how common it is to "slug" a barrel for its dimensions. Someone else will. And, I am sure that others will come along to answer your other question about coated bullets.

[henry]

Good point about getting discouraged. I'm not, but was surprised by the lack of replies. Then earlier today I decided to explore this forum a little more in depth and discovered I was the only person reading this forum. I went to the 'other' forum I normally have been frequenting and there were 63 people active on it. That explains a lot and as you point out not everyone (or anyone) is always going to be here. There was plenty of response to my other post here so I expect replies will come in time. Thanks for taking the time to give me some perspective.

[Jdl447]

I slug all barrels that cast bullets are shot out of.
I've never owned a Marlin.

[BBSC45]

I shoot .452 cast bullets out of my 45 Colt Big Boy Steel Carbine. I've never slugged the barrel. I suppose I should but so far the accuracy is great for an open sighted buckhorn bead rifle and my horrible eyesight. This rifle makes me look like a good shot.

[Big Old Boy]

Find a manufacturer that sells samples and try a few to see what works best for your gun. I may be lucky but have never slugged a barrel and mainly only shoot lead.

[Steve51]

I have slugged my revolver barrels but have never slugged a rifle barrel. I only shoot Hornady jacketed XTP's or copper plated bullets from my .357 and .44 rifles. I do shoot 405 grain lead bullets from my .45-70. The last bullets I purchased for the .45-70 are polymer coated but still have a few lead bullets left before I open the new box of polymer coated bullets.