.590 Balls

[Chrizz]

I am trying to find a source to buy .590 lead round balls. I have a .60 cal flintlock that shoots a .595 ball with pillow .015 pillow ticking extremely well. However, it is very difficult to get the ball started. I have to pound my short starter with a hammer to get it started. Once started, it will go down with the ramrod but it is very inconvenient especially if I were to be hunting. I have ordered some .005 patches but I am just trying to find some .590's to use. .595 balls are readily available but I cannot find .590's. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Chrizz, go to the hardware store or hobby store and buy a ball of jute twine. Cut some twine into 4" lengths and unravel the twine into strands to make loose strands of fibers into what could be called tow (which is the waste product when making flax into linen fibers). Use a bit of your patch lubricant to dampen the fibers and take a slightly larger than a golf ball sized wad to make a nest around the 0.595" diameter ball. Use a suitable amount of the nest material to make for an easy load. Use a smaller ball of the fibers to make the over ball wad. The other option is to get some 20 gauge lubricated cushion wads. Use half of a cushion wad over the powder then the bare ball and an overshot card. That should be easier to load. It may not be as accurate as the patched ball you are using, but it is worth trying if the 0.590 balls are not to be found.

There's always Larry Callahan to contact for a mold.
http://callahanbagmolds.com/

 

[Chrizz]

Thanks, Grenadier1758
Very clever ideas. I have plenty of 20g cushion wads. Never thought to try that.

 

[Eric Krewson]

Tanner molds are good molds as well, they will make any size for you.

https://www.ballmoulds.com/

 

[Chrizz]

Thanks. I was hoping to find some for purchase. I have not cast round balls in many years and I do not have the supplies anymore.