I have Marshall's lapping kit and am getting ready to try it on a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt. This rifle has a 24" barrel, and I don't want to stick a bullet right off the bat. So, what charge of WW231 should I start with? Thanks, Paul

I'd try 3 grains and work down. 2.5 might work; also, after you put the powder in, stuff the rest of the case full of dacron (polyester pillow stuffing). That will help ensure that the powder burns well and also somewhat wipes the bore at each shot.

__________________
MikeG

What I did was use a similar weight cast bullet and started a little high. Ran them over the chrono til I got that Airgun muzzle velocity of 400-450 fps. Each individual gun will vary in what it needs for that specific speed. That worked well for me.

__________________
Bob from Idaho

I have a 45LC. Bought at Big 5 store. It shoots really well as it was. Is your gun inaccurate or just hard to clean?

Inaccurate. Paul

OK. I sometimes think that people jump the gun on things, but since you have an actual issue it makes sense to try and remedy it. Keep us posted on the results. I sent my rifle back after the first 10 shots because it had a very sloppy chamber that bulged my brass at the base. I had it back in 1 1/2 weeks with a new barrel and better iron sights than it came with.

I did my 44. You could do a search for my posts, during the process. If you have slugged already and don't have a major muzzle restriction you will be OK as far as sticking bullets. Really, you kinda want to stick a few unless you get lucky but a major muzzle restriction is almost useless to firelap. If I had to do it over I would go with a cast bullet .001 over the restriction. That seems to be the remedy for me.