.57 balls in a 20 guage

[Matt Ruesink]

I was playing arround with patch and balls still trying to decide what caliber smoothbore I want. I found out a .57 ball with .020 pillow ticking fits snug in a 20 guage barrel. If I do that am I going to shoot just as well as a 24 guage with the same ball and thinner patch, or no patch and cushon wad and overshot card method? Same with 24 guage patch and .54 balls?

 

[Rat]

You won't know until you try. In my experience, a smaller ball with a thick patch seems to work better in a smoothbore, than visa-versa.

My Bess shoots .690" balls with a denim patch well...it is 11 gauge or .75". If I "chew" them with a rasp, and use a .020" patch, they "seem" to shoot better, but I cannot deny or confirm that yet, need to do some more shooting.

I have shot .570" balls in my .62" rifle, which I think is closer to .61", with .570" balls and a denim patch. not as accurate as .600" balls and thinner patch, my usual load, but actually good enough for hunting at 100 yards or less. But again, that's a rifle and a different animal for sure.

 

[spudnut]

I use the 57 for cartridges in the 20 and 54s in my 24

 

[hanshi]

I've tried .590" ball with a thick patch in my 20 and it seemed pretty accurate in that gun.

 

[tenngun]

A .570 works great in a paper cartridge for my .62. Plenty accurate for deer to 50 yards, not as accurate as a .595 or .600