I just slugged (twice as well as confirming the results with inside callipers and a vernier mic) my recently acquired Colt Officers Model Match 38 revolver. The groove is .354. I couldn't believe the numbers. I am getting marginal results with .358 and .359 flat points (commercially cast and the supplier advertised “hard cast match grade” whatever that means). Accurace off hand is about 4 inches at 25 yards which, with other guns, I've done better. I spent 30 minutes scrubbing lead from just past the forcing cone tonight. So with the leading and the super tight groove, I am pretty bummed and ready to send this beautiful target revolver on its way. The throats by the way, are .3594.
Is this bore typical of dedicated target revolvers? This is my first. What did owners from the days when this model was popular, do to obain highest degree of accuracy? Is this a jacketed bullet-shooting gun exclusively?
Any advice, experiennces would be very much appreciated.