fyrfyter43
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2008
- Messages
- 769
- Reaction score
- 4
I recently decided to try paper cartridges in my .62 smoothbore. I first tried .600 balls with newsprint, but they were so tight I couldn't even start them down the bore.
A month or so ago I picked up a bag of Rush Creek .595 balls at Dixon's to try. I rolled up a few cartridges and they ended up just about the right diameter. I was going to go ahead and order a mold from Jeff Tanner, but figured I better double-check the size of the balls. I'm glad I did! Across the seam line from the mold halves, the balls consistently measure .590, and 90 degrees from the seam, they measure .586. Now I'm not sure what size mold to order. Should I get a .590 or maybe something like a .588?
I don't want to struggle to seat my cartridges once I get a little bit of fowling, but I also don't want too loose of a fit.
Also, can somebody suggest a good lube to keep fowling soft? I used 50/50 beeswax and olive oil, but after 4-5 shots I had to pound the balls down. In the past I've used straight olive oil on felt wads and it worked great, but I'm afraid of wetting my powder if I tried to use it on my cartridges.
A month or so ago I picked up a bag of Rush Creek .595 balls at Dixon's to try. I rolled up a few cartridges and they ended up just about the right diameter. I was going to go ahead and order a mold from Jeff Tanner, but figured I better double-check the size of the balls. I'm glad I did! Across the seam line from the mold halves, the balls consistently measure .590, and 90 degrees from the seam, they measure .586. Now I'm not sure what size mold to order. Should I get a .590 or maybe something like a .588?
I don't want to struggle to seat my cartridges once I get a little bit of fowling, but I also don't want too loose of a fit.
Also, can somebody suggest a good lube to keep fowling soft? I used 50/50 beeswax and olive oil, but after 4-5 shots I had to pound the balls down. In the past I've used straight olive oil on felt wads and it worked great, but I'm afraid of wetting my powder if I tried to use it on my cartridges.