.451 RB in .45?

[Chaz]

Has any ever tried or heard of using a .451 RB in a T/C .45 w/ 32" Barrell 1/66 twist?

 

[Zonie]

I can't say that I have but I have heard of a few guys who are heavily into precision target shooting loading a .500 diameter round ball into their .50 caliber guns.

I have no idea what the rate of twist or the rifling depth is on their barrels and being target shooters, they are reluctant to give away their "secrets".

 

[mooman76]

Not going to say it can't be done but your bore size should be .450 and you still have to get a patch in there. if you have an oversized bore it would work or you would have to hammer down the ball and you would have to deform it allot. That tight you risk more of a stuck ball too.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hi,
Loading a .451 ball in a TC will give you all kinds of problems.
Inconsistent groups, broken ram rod, and many other problems.
You will do better with a .440 or a .445 ball.
Also you will enjoy shooting more so with a ball about .440" diameter. :v
Fred

 

[CrossXstix]

I have an old Douglas barrel that shoots a .451 with .018 ticking and a 454 with .016 drill cloth. I can shoot a .445 with the .018 ticking and I don't even need a short starter, and it still shoots ok.

 

[54ball]

I have done it years ago when I had a TC .45 Hawken.
Some swaged Hornady .451s got mixed in with my 440s. I tried them and they loaded pretty easily once you got them started. You had to use a short starter but once they were pushed down past the muzzle, they loaded easily.

I have no idea what the exact bore diameter of that .45 TC was neither do I know what the true diameter of the .451 balls other than what was marked on the box.

The rifles bore was in good condition and the ball were soft lead....your results my vary.

I tried the same thing in a .45 longrifle and the best I remember they were more difficult to load.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Has any ever tried or heard of using a .451 RB in a T/C .45 w/ 32" Barrell 1/66 twist?

Absolutely. If using pure soft lead almost anything can be squashed into an ml barrel.
I used to use a .457" ball in my .45 cal. Douglas barreled target rifles and I used heavy denim patching. Not fun to load but very accurate.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Many of the older Douglas 45's were actually .453 land to land (mine included). :hmm:

 

[Chaz]

The reason I asked was becauseI met a gentlemen while shooting my .50 Hawken. comparing R.E.A.L. to a 370 grain Maxiball. the gentlemen was using a short starter, then a mid range ram rod, the drove it home with his ramrod. At times it appeared it took some effort to complete the loading process. for now, I think I'll stay with the .440. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Vaino]

A friend bought a .50 TC Hawken kit and really did a nice job of assembly and was anxious to shoot it because deer hinting was 3-1/2 weeks away.

He called me and asked just what he should do w/ his Hawken because the stock broke at the wrist. I told him to contact TC and see what they would do. TC airmailed him a new stock and he used the rifle for deer hunting. I was surprised TC did this w/o asking many questions.

While in camp I asked him how the stock broke and he said the PRB wouldn't load easily so he took a hammer and pounded it in and the stock broke. He tried to load w/ a .54 PRB. Normally he's a pretty smart guy, but in this instance.....Fred

 

[Rifleman1776]

Stock still should not have broken. TC was generous.

 

[Vaino]

Hi...didn't see the break but it could have been that the grain wasn't suitable for a wrist. My friend is a big sized plumber and likes to "lean on things" when they don't go together readily.

Yes....TC was extremely generous. My friend contacted Mr. Center personally and this may have been the reason.....Fred