28 ga. ball size.

[charliek]

What size ball and patch should I use in a 28ga smooth bore?
Thanks

 

[roundball]

What size ball and patch should I use in a 28ga smooth bore?
Thanks

I settled on the following deer hunting load in a GM .54cal(.28ga) Flint smoothbore:

90grns Goex 3F
.018" pillow ticking
Hornady .520" balls (five-twentys)

 

[scobrien]

My 28 ga. measures .543 and I am using a .520 ball with a .013 patch. This combo loads easily for me and shoots well.

I suspect that you may also get by with a .520 ball, but then your patch thickness will be determined by your actual bore size.

If you can get an actual measurement of your bore diameter, it will give you a better idea of a starting point.

If my memory serves me correctly, I could find no common/commercial molds of that diameter. I did not search for swaged or production made balls of that size. I ended up having a mold made.

Steve

 

[Dirk Perry]

i use a .520 ball. .015 patch.

 

[roundball]

In discussing cast .520's last year with Eddie May he didn't have any .520s made up but does have a mold.

Eddie May (down in Georgia) is a commercial cast ball maker, sells to Dixie, has a table up at Friendship every year, etc...so far I've used his .395's and .600s, lowest prices I've ever seen. Otherwise, you'll need to find a supply of or order some Hornady's as they are normally not a size that is sitting around on seller's shelves somewhere.

 

[redwing]

Say RB have you shot up all those .520s I sent you last year? You must have a very sore shoulder.

 

[roundball]

Not yet...used a couple dozen for load development and the rest are tucked away in a GI ammo can.

You sure did yourself proud when you put me onto those 5 old sun faded boxes in that guys gun shop out west...many thanks again for your generous assistance !

:hatsoff:

 

[Mike Brooks]

A true 28ga. measures .55 I use a .530 and .018 pillow tick patch. You need to measure your bore to make sure it is actually a true 28ga.

 

[charliek]

Thanks everybody. My Hawken is one of those older ones which is really a .53 instead of a .54. I use .520 balls in that and have a Lee mold for that size. But I'll slug the 28ga when it comes.
Charlie

 

[charliek]

Thanks everybody. My Hawken is one of those older ones which is really a .53 instead of a .54. I use .520 balls in that and have a Lee mold for that size. But I'll slug the 28ga when it comes.
Charlie

 

[charliek]

Thanks everybody. My Hawken is one of those older ones which is really a .53 instead of a .54. I use .520 balls in that and have a Lee mold for that size. But I'll slug the 28ga when it comes.
Charlie

 

[B.Habermehl]

I use .535 dia with about .012 patch. This combo thumb starts in my Mold and Gun Shop barrel. Along with 55 gr of goex ffg. This combo often beats up on the rifle shooters on our club's woods walk.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have an older navy arms 28 gauge and the 530 round balls for a 54 cailber rifle work well with a .015 patch.

 

[spaethjm]

I use a 535 in my gm 54 wad bare ball and over card wad. I can get a 530 down with a thin patch but I also use a over powder felt wad.

 

[chalkdust]

Thanks...I just got a 28 smoothie and needed the same info.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Measure your bore diameter, before selecting ball size. On any smoothbore, it helps to take a long strip of fabric, lay it centered over the muzzle, and then push your ball down into the muzzle. Grab the two ends of the strip to pull it back out. How tight the combination is will tell you much of the information you need to know in choosing both ball diameter, and patch thickness. Nominally, a 28 gauge smoothbore should measure .550". A .530" Diameter ball would be the first choice, with a .015" thick patch material, for this NOMINAL diameter bore. If your bore size is different, as Charlie's is, then make an adjustment in the size of ball you choose. :hatsoff: