Most "historically accurate" ball molds, etc?

[Armando]

Trying to put my kit together for throwing ball for my Bess and Rifle but want to stay as HC as possible.

Any recommendations for vendors/makers who make ball molds, ladles, etc. that strive for historically authenticity?

 

[ord sgt]

Lee molds (aluminum) will drop a good ball with almost no sprue, similar to a bag mold. Lyman molds (steel) will drop a good ball but they do have a sprue. I have both types and I cast all of my round ball with an open pot and a ladle.

 

[tenngun]

Calahans bag molds, you can just googol him, has molds almost identical to originals plus ladles and other historicly inspired tools, # 2 in the service department

 

[Armando]

Lee molds (aluminum) will drop a good ball with almost no sprue, similar to a bag mold. Lyman molds (steel) will drop a good ball but they do have a sprue. I have both types and I cast all of my round ball with an open pot and a ladle.

That is what I'm looking for my kit to look like. Can you share what pat and ladle you use too?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Larry Callahan has the historically correct molds and ladles.

Callahan Bagmolds - Products Page 1

 

[ord sgt]

That is what I'm looking for my kit to look like. Can you share what pat and ladle you use too?

I have a Lyman Big Dipper pot (20 lb) and a generic ladle to scoop and pour into my mold. A broken wood hammer handle to tap the sprue cutter plate open. Easy to use and once you get a rhythm going, casting a huge amount of roundball is easy to do.

 

[sportster73hp]

I have been shopping for Bess ball molds recently. Hard to find and expensive if you find one. Lost two on eBay so far and most stores are out of stock. Also not sure what size mine likes yet . Borrowed a .690 just to practice with gun. Good luck with your efforts

 

[tenngun]

Calahans bag molds, you can just googol him, has molds almost identical to originals plus ladles and other historicly inspired tools, # 2 in the service department

Fat thumbs # 1 in service

 

[tenngun]

Trying to put my kit together for throwing ball for my Bess and Rifle but want to stay as HC as possible.

Any recommendations for vendors/makers who make ball molds, ladles, etc. that strive for historically authenticity?

You said strive for historic accuracy. Lee molds are very good and I have several, Lyman molds are top notch maybe best made. But in no way historically accurate

 

[TFoley]

Lee moulds are aluminum. How can that be HC?

I think what the OP is looking for is the kind of mould you see in use in 'The Patriot' movie - about the only thing about it that is correct.

 

[Armando]

Fat thumbs # 1 in service

It doesn't look like they carry a mold for .433 for my Long Rifle or .715 for my Bess unless I pay extra for custom.

 

[tenngun]

ThTs an unusual size, so whom ever you go for for historic style I’d going to be custom

 

[Pete G]

TOW lists one but "Out of stock" right now.

 

[sportster73hp]

.690, .715 or .735 seem to be the standard ball size for the smoothbore bess. Being a rifle shooter that looks small but the smoothbore was traditionally loaded with tow or a paper cartridge. Most have a bore around .750. A friend loaded his with .025 denim patches which he could pick up and reuse.

 

[sportster73hp]

Check log cabin i bought three mold from them that were in stock. A lee two cavity and two Lyman single ball. Web site said to call so I did.

 

[SmokepoleSam]

Thegunworks.com has a .433 Lee mold for $30 + shipping but it's not HC