Question about testing balls

[Fallon Kid]

I hope I can get an answer. I have a custom flint 58 cal 60 twist. I just poured some .575 (.572-.575) pure lead ball. I need to check them. Also I have .010 patches oiled. I just want to see if I can run it down but don't want a dry ball. Would 20gn 3f do it? Thanks in advance Jerry

 

[fishmusic]

Jerry,

Think about what you just asked. If the ball goes down why not have a full charge of powder? You gain nothing using a small charge but can gain some experience on how the gun reacts to your set up.

If you can't get the ball down then you will have to pull it. No one would recommend trying to shoot a ball out that is not sitting on top of the powder. No matter how small the powder charge.

I don't see a problem with the ball and patch combination you have described. The gun will tell you what it likes when you experiment with ball and patch combinations. Start he process now.

 

[waksupi]

20 gr. 3F should be fine. I've seen dry balls launched with a lot less than that.

 

[Fallon Kid]

Thank you. Ya put my mind at ease. Plus doing in backyard and got neighbors. Worst could happen is might wound a worm. LOL

 

[Fallon Kid]

Thanks Fish for suggestion. I was hoping to limit noise so full charge not an option. And 20gn does push out these balls. And Boy Howdy does it push them out. My test is sufficient for what I wanted to know. I'm not concerned about pin point accuracy but always nice to be close to target. I can now go to range and know these balls will work. And lastly, is neats foot oil OK for patch lube. I do a lot of BP wads and bullet lubes but patch lube is not in my knowledge kit bag at moment. Thanks

 

[david w]

Thanks Fish for suggestion. I was hoping to limit noise so full charge not an option. And 20gn does push out these balls. And Boy Howdy does it push them out. My test is sufficient for what I wanted to know. I'm not concerned about pin point accuracy but always nice to be close to target. I can now go to range and know these balls will work. And lastly, is neats foot oil OK for patch lube. I do a lot of BP wads and bullet lubes but patch lube is not in my knowledge kit bag at moment. Thanks

Neats Foot Oil would not be one of my choices. 7:1 Ballistol, lamb tallow, and there are a few homemade concoctions that are workable.

 

[flynfred]

I shoot 20 grains all day long ," bad shoulders" 50yrd 3inch target no problems this with my 50cal ,62 cal I use 30 grains , only time I use over 50 is deer hunting, otherwise just wasting powder and hurting shoulders, old guy here

 

[Grenadier1758]

Quite frankly, 5 grains of powder will launch @Fallon Kid's ball from his musket if the ball isn't blocking the flash channel. Since he's done it, then no point in trying get him to change from 20 grains of powder.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Oil up a big piece of patch material and use it to seat the ball at least half way down the muzzle. That will tell you what you need to know. If you use a big enough piece of patching all it will take is a big jerk to pull it back out. No need to shoot it and I hope you get the humor in the previous sentence.

 

[BlazingIron]

Thanks Fish for suggestion. I was hoping to limit noise so full charge not an option. And 20gn does push out these balls. And Boy Howdy does it push them out. My test is sufficient for what I wanted to know. I'm not concerned about pin point accuracy but always nice to be close to target. I can now go to range and know these balls will work. And lastly, is neats foot oil OK for patch lube. I do a lot of BP wads and bullet lubes but patch lube is not in my knowledge kit bag at moment. Thanks

Uh oh! Here we go!! Lol

 

[Fallon Kid]

Lord I hate talking about balls with you old guys. LOL I just dye my hair silver cause I can. LOL

 

[BlazingIron]

I was the spectre of “ what is the best lube?” question. There are more opinions then there are blades of grass. Lol. And more threads too!

 

[necchi]

I was the spectre of “ what is the best lube?” question.

Which time?

 

[longcruise]

Lord I hate talking about balls with you old guys. LOL I just dye my hair silver cause I can. LOL

Yeah!! And now we have @The Crisco Kid introducing "big jerks".

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Yeah!! And now we have @The Crisco Kid introducing "big jerks".

Of course I meant it as a joke since that was the way it was explained to me. "Now all it takes is a big jerk to pull it out"

 

[BlazingIron]

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I just had another thought. I could have said "All you need is a big Yank to pull it out" but I didn't know now my Southern friends would take it. Maybe a Big Dumb Yank?

 

[nhmoose]

Give your neighbors a break and go to a range before they call the police. When they do you will not have to worry about your rifles balls at all.

 

[bang]

Get a feather and give them a testtickle

 

[Greenjoytj]

I need to check them. I have .010 patches oiled. I just want to see if I can run it down

When I was checking the barrel fit with various ball diameters and patch thicknesses I slipped a half inch by nine brass rod into the bore, tipping the rifle so the rod slides slowly all the way down.
A patch and ball combination was chosen and inserted into the muzzle and pushed down flush with muzzle.
The the rifle was slowly turned muzzle downward so the brass rod would slide foreword to be against the PRB.
Shaking the rifle up and down causes the brass rod to bob up and down in the bore tapping against the PRB slide hammer style. Out pops the PRB. Now the ball it can be examined for the correct pattern of deep and shallow patch weave markers embossed all around the ball like a belt.