Oxidized Roundballs?

I've been shooting a 54 GPR with good precision and accuracy. At some point I lost both precisioin and accuracy. I tried several things, but didn't see any improvement until I opened a new box of much shinny-er lead balls. My question is can store-bought balls go bad (oxidize?) and affect precision and accuracy?

I have shot some pretty oxidized round balls without any loss of accuracy. My guess would be bad patches (lube dried out, fabric deteriorated).

Lead will oxidize and get harder, slightly after awhile but shouldn't effect accuracy much if at all. I have heard of some loosing accuracy after awhile and sometimes switching to a thicker patch helps.

The oxidizing won't affect a thing.
Just squirt with some WD-40 to prevent more. And, do wash your hands after handling. That is not the cause of your situation.

Hmmm not doubting you my friend, but it could just simply be a mental thing and the newer pertier balls gave ya a bit more confidence. I have shot round balls that look all chalky and oxidized and they load and shoot fine. But many things effect accuracy with the muzzleblaster humidity, wind, hot barrels, cold barrels, clean barrels, dirty barrels, patch lube, using lube, no lube, to much lube, not enough lube. etc etc etc. I would double check the ball sizes are the same diameter using a micrometer I have had mislabeled balls more than one time. Then again I have had fat and skinny round balls that I have poured as well.

I formerly bought Remington brand RBs which had a "green" covering that prevented oxidation. Are they still available?....Fred

I like using them dirty, tarnished ones myself! Deer cant see em coming when the shiny is gone! :rotf:

Oxidation film has no affect whatsoever on ball performance. I've shot both and any difference is undetectable. Look elsewhere for the problem.

flehto said:

I formerly bought Remington brand RBs which had a "green" covering that prevented oxidation. Are they still available?....Fred

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No unless you find some left over. That was Remington's golden plating like they use on their lead 22 bullets. I think I still have a hundred or so .530 Remington round balls left that have the gold colored plating. About 10 years ago our local Wal-Mart had a going out of Remington round ball business sale at $2 a box.

Bob

Thanks...I've still got a box of .530s. Don't think the oxidation affects accuracy but they surely do look "cruddy"....Fred

You can do like the "old timers" did and put 'em in your mouth and suck on 'em a while. They won't be shiny, but they won't have that white crud on 'em anymore either. Provided you don't live in California, of course. :wink:

Suck on enough of 'em and you likely won't care what they look like any more though. 'Cause you'll be :youcrazy: !!! Enjoy, J.D.

All lead balls can oxidize but it is only an appearance thing and has no effect on their performance.

Hawken-Hunter said:

I've been shooting a 54 GPR with good precision and accuracy. At some point I lost both precisioin and accuracy. I tried several things, but didn't see any improvement until I opened a new box of much shinny-er lead balls. My question is can store-bought balls go bad (oxidize?) and affect precision and accuracy?

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All joking aside. The oxidation on those balls will not affect accuaracy or anything else.

Thank you.

If you don't want them to oxidise, get a smallish saucepan and melt some lube in it (beeswax, tallow etc). When it's melted swirl it around in the saucepan and pour it out, this will leave a coating in the pan. Next, put the balls in the pan and swirl around for a while, this will put a thin coating of lube on the balls. This will stop them oxidising.

Unfortunately, it also makes them a bit slippery to pick up .

And no, I don't do this myself (only once, by accident). I couldn't care less if they oxidise.

The only negative aspect of oxidized lead balls is that if you only wound an animal and after some time retrieve it, the lead oxide could get into the blood stream and you'd have "toxic meat"
.... :wink: .....Fred

Lead oxide wo't effect accuracy, but you should use care handling them. Lead oxide will flake off the balls and onto your hands. While lead oxide ( old time name - sugar of lead -) is sweet it isn't good for your health. :idunno: :hmm: :idunno:

ohio ramrod said:

Lead oxide wo't effect accuracy, but you should use care handling them. Lead oxide will flake off the balls and onto your hands. While lead oxide ( old time name - sugar of lead -) is sweet it isn't good for your health. :idunno: :hmm: :idunno:

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For emphasis and clarification:
That previous post about sucking on them was a [strike][strike][strike]JOKE[/strike][/strike][/strike]
Do not put in your mouth!!! :nono: :shake:

Don't know about that. I've hunted with oxidized prb and the deer died from it. :stir:

hanshi said:

Don't know about that. I've hunted with oxidized prb and the deer died from it. :stir:

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Sounds like lead poisoning no matter how you put it. :wink: