.325 round balls

[JohnCanadian]

Looking at a new rifle and I have access to a mold that makes .325 balls. are these too big for a rice .32 cal barrel?

 

[rafterob]

You want a ball smaller in size than the bore caliber. A .310 ball would be good for a .32 caliber barrel.

 

[Spikebuck]

Rafterob is correct.

A .325 ball in a .32 barrel (measured at the lands) could probably be hammered in without a patch, but would most likely shoot like crap because the gases would be going past the ball through the gaps in the grooves. Unlike a R.E.A.L. bullet, a round ball should be smaller in diameter than the bore with the patching material providing the seal into the grooves. A .310 ball with a .015 patch would probably be a good starting point on a .32, depending on the groove depth. Deep round grooves can soak up a lot of patch.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

My .32 likes .315 patched balls. .311s will work, but mine prefers a slightly larger ball. .325 sounds WAY too big unless your bore is badly oversized.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Sidney Smith]

My gun likes the .311 balls that I use. I never sized the patch thickness, but I'd venture a guess that it's about .010 to .012. This combo works well though.

 

[Grimord]

My Rice .32 barrel likes a .320 ball with a .015 patch. With the coned muzzle, these go down snugly and shoot great.

 

[Jakeytoo]

Looking at a new rifle and I have access to a mold that makes .325 balls. are these too big for a rice .32 cal barrel?

If in doubt, measure the bore, land to land and groove to groove. As said by others, the patch will do the sealing, much like a gasket.

Harbor Freight sells digital calipers that work ok.

 

[olfuzzy]

Who makes the mold you have access to, I'd like to try that for my .31 cal revolvers.

 

[Barry Strickland]

If you need a odd sized mold go here; Callahan Bagmolds & Accoutrements
They are well made molds and available in standard sizes or odd sizes.

 

[mooman76]

I have 32's that like .310 but one likes .320. Try and see but your's will probably like the smaller one.

 

[steg49]

Don't buy a rifle based on a bullet mold. Buy the rifle you want, .32 - .36 - .40 or whatever then buy a $30 lee mold that is the proper size. I would think that a .325 is a revolver mold. steg49

 

[Sidney Smith]

Who makes the mold you have access to, I'd like to try that for my .31 cal revolvers.

Not sure who you're asking this of, but mine is a Lee double cavity mold in .311.

 

[olfuzzy]

Not sure who you're asking this of, but mine is a Lee double cavity mold in .311.

That's the same mold I use for my .32 rifles but is too small for my revolvers. The OP mentioned a .325 he had access to.

 

[MAC1967]

I have a rice barrel in a TVM Lancaster in .32. I shoot 310 and 311 . . . I have .315 that I have yet to try . . . but I think the gun is more accurate than me as is with either ball and a .15 patch and 30 grains of Goex 3f. I can't imagine getting a .320 or .325 ball in it with a patch. In my experience, if anything, Rice runs tight not lose on caliber (I have a Rice 40 too.)

 

[JohnCanadian]

Thanks guys.

 

[sawyer04]

Looking at a new rifle and I have access to a mold that makes .325 balls. are these too big for a rice .32 cal barrel?

I use a .310 and .311 ball in my .32 caliber. I would think a .325 would be to tight with patch.