PA Conicals vs Maxi-balls?

[Maven]

jmerch87, Just so you know, Maxi-Balls and Lee R.E.A.L.'s can be very accurate IF they fit your rifle's bore. For those who cast them using pure lead of course, I've found the T/C Maxi-Ball mould to be more consistent in diameter than the Lyman product of which I've tried several. The Lee's, OTOH, happened to fit one rifle perfectly, but not another. When they do fit accuracy is great. Btw, I suppose it would be possible to "Beagle" (Google it) and undersized mould to slightly increase its diameter, but I didn't know that years ago.

 

[jmerch87]

jmerch87, Just so you know, Maxi-Balls and Lee R.E.A.L.'s can be very accurate IF they fit your rifle's bore. For those who cast them using pure lead of course, I've found the T/C Maxi-Ball mould to be more consistent in diameter than the Lyman product of which I've tried several. The Lee's, OTOH, happened to fit one rifle perfectly, but not another. When they do fit accuracy is great. Btw, I suppose it would be possible to "Beagle" (Google it) and undersized mould to slightly increase its diameter, but I didn't know that years ago.

Thanks for the advice. I don’t cast so my only experience thus far is with the factory maxi balls from TC. I shot about 15 of them so far and they seem to fit my bore well. Snug, but loading is relatively easy if I run a quick patch between shots. Haven’t had one slide off the charge either, even if I turn the gun upside down and give it a shake. Ramrod check verifies it hasn’t moved.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

I have not, but am also considering them as I’m reading a lot of people claiming to be getting good results!

I am a fan of these, just scored 200 of them in .45 caliber and 30 in .54 caliber. It's a heavy hollowpoint, heavier than the bullets TC offered. I recall good accuracy out of my CVA Bobcat caplock.

I've used both in a a super cheap ($59.97 new) CVA Bobcat with a woodstock I purchased 25+ years ago. They both shot great, cloverleafs at 50 yards, and just about the same point of impact. Short barrel little rifle, 26" with a 1:48 twist. I use 60 grains of Pyrodex P or Goex FFFg, gets about 1200fps (slightly higher with Ball-et) with either bullet. Killed 9 bucks with 9 shots with it, and I loan it out to kids for youth season with equal success. Best 60 bucks I ever spent.

That is neat man! I bought my Bobcat on a whim, when the friend that went with me to the gun store suggested it. I don't recall what I paid but it was back in 1994. I couldn't hit anything with it but that changed when I had TC adjustable sights installed. With patched round ball, 80 grains of Pyrodex RS, it was very accurate and I shot it maybe 200 times. I still have it, thinking about taking it out again soon.