Well, gents, I said a few more prayers, gulped once or twice, and tried again. I did want to make sure that there wasn't a significant barrel constriction. I used a round ball that was .451 until I squished it in a vice to flatten it a bit. I made it just big enough, oiled it up (I did that the first time too), said another prayer, then whacked it in. It went through just fine and measured the same as my first slug (.457). Whew. I said a few prayers of thanks, then started breathing again. All seems fine. Now I can spend the weekend holding the rifle and looking at the rain. Right, Mossyrock?
CC Griff