.325 round balls

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JohnCanadian

32 Cal.
Joined
Nov 9, 2015
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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 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.)
 
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