320 Maxi ball

[boker]

they seem to easy to load in my white mountain carbine. I can start and push them to the bottom with little effort . Will it effect the accuracy?

 

[wayne terry]

Its undersized it should do that the bullet should have a skirt at the bottom of the bullet if it is that type of round, when fired skirt expands and engages the rifleing

 

[mooman76]

The base usually is close to bore size for easy starting and then the upper part is larger for a better seal. If the upper part starts too easy also then accuracy will probably suffer. There are no absolutes when it comes to loading MLs. Usually you can place a over powder wad in before the maxi to improve accuracy.

 

[Billnpatti]

On any Maxiball, it sould start easily until the second band on the Maxi engages the rifling. At that point, a properly fitting Maxi will be hard to start as the rifling engages the second band on the Maxi. It has to engrave into the band to properly seal the Maxi. If it is not hard to start at this point, it will not seal properly and accuracy will be poor. Properly starting the Maxi should not require a mallet but a good bit of thumb pressure should be required. Once the second band engraves into the rifling, it should smoothly move on down onto the powder with just a ramrod.

I have found that an over powder wad improves my accuracy since it improves the seal and prevents any loss of the hot gasses. I make my wads from DuroFelt and cut them with a custom punch from Ohio Ramrod. His price for his custom punches is very reasonable. To make my wads, I take a sheet of DuroFelt and spread some lube on it. Then I put it into the microwave for a few seconds to melt the lube into the felt. I let it cool and then punch my wads.

This is the felt: http://www.durofelt.com/image_26.html

This is Ohio Ramrod's contact:
[email protected]

 

[longcruise]

Showtime, Maxi Balls don't have a skirt.

The top band on the maxi is not there to seal. It's for alignment. If the base band rides the lands, the fit is tight enough for accuracy.

when an adequate powder charge ignites, the base is immediately expanded (upset) to fill the grooves and obturate the bore providing the bullet is cast or swaged with pure lead or at least a Very very soft alloy of lead/tin. Upset of the projectile is progressive with the greatest degree at the very base and the least at the nose. All sealing of the bore takes place at the base.

 

[Rat Trapper]

I like using Ox-Yoke lubed felt wads under the bullet.