.50cal solid rubber no-bounce practice balls

[roundball]

I received 2000 of the .500" solid rubber, no-bounce balls as close range practice alternatives to lead. They are moulded balls first with a tiny mould line around them and then run through a grinding process to remove that line, resulting in an average mic size of .491"-.495" and weigh 22grns. When I throw them down on the concrete garage floor they only come back up 10-15 inches and die. The mould line on the ones for the .40cal caused no problem at all and are cheaper, but this place didn't have any .50cal on hand that had not already gone through the grinding process, hence they are called "ground balls".

I normally use Hornady .490 lead balls & .018" pillow ticking in my .50cal, and these hard rubber balls fit perfectly...they compress a couple thousandths and I was just able to thumbstart them for a good snug fit. Hope to range test them soon with 20-30grns Goex 3F at 25yds...but based on my experience with the .410" in my .40cal, these should be perfectly accurate as well.

:hmm: next I need to discuss with my immediate neighbors to reassure them in case they see me standing in my driveway and shooting a low power Flintlock into my garage...I think the best way will be to invite them over to "introduce" them to a free, hands-on Flintlock demo...let them shoot it, etc :hmm:
If I can do that, I'll also start eliminating $18 gasoline costs for range trips some weekends

 

[sundog]

Wow if those work out in your .50 it will open up numerous possibilitys. Three I can think of off hand is 1)since they will have a much lighter recoil they will be good to use when introducing kids to Traditional shooting. 2) Squirrel hunting with a .50 without worrys about having a lead ball comming down far away. 3) Pest control.
Man I hope the range report on them is good.

 

[roundball]

Well, the .410" I tested in a .40cal were accurate enough to pick off enpty .12ga hulls at 20yds...problem for game is their light weight. Even the .50cal is only half the weight of a .22cal slug.
Now granted, if they'll hold close range small game accuracy while being pushed at high velocity they'd take out a squirrel or rabbit with a head shot...you'd still want to be sure it was dead and not just stunned before putting it in your game vest :grin:

And an excellent point of zero recoil...the rifle doesn't even move.

I think the real potential for these alternative practice balls is the relative low cost compared to what lead prices are doing, and possibly not even having to burn gas at ridiculous prices to drive to a range depending on where you live, and the short rangte / safety aspect of them compared to a lethal lead projectile.

I've already thought that an old bowling alley with a major league exhaust system installed would make an ideal year round indoor practice range...talk about rekindling interest in traditional muzzleloaders...not a bad idea for retirement :hmm:

 

[tnlonghunter]

Where'd you get em'?

 

[renovato]

I've always watched your rubber balls threads with interest. I don't own a .40, but I do own a number of .50s. Now I'm getting more interested!

The reduced recoil would be a great way to introduce new shooters to muzzleloading pistols without inducing flinch. Thanks for keeping us informed and good luck with your neighbors.

 

[roundball]

I've always watched your rubber balls threads with interest. I don't own a .40, but I do own a number of .50s. Now I'm getting more interested!

The reduced recoil would be a great way to introduce new shooters to muzzleloading pistols without inducing flinch. Thanks for keeping us informed and good luck with your neighbors.

Yes, we know its good to practice often to keep skills sharp and we often hear the suggestion to just do so with a .22 rifle to avoid the cost, recoil, etc, of practicing with high power rifles...same sort of thing here...if these things provide equivalent accuracy punching holes in paper at 20 yards, why waste expensive powder and lead every weekend just to practice form...then a couple weeks before hunting season opens, run a couple range sessions with regular lead balls and go hunting...if you're interested in running some tests of your own, PM me.

 

[grizzly adam]

If I can do that, I'll also start eliminating $18 gasoline costs for range trips some weekends.

Pretty cool about the rubber practice balls, Round' ... I'm fortunate ... I can step outside and shoot anything up to 600 yards on my own property, and up to a thousand if I shoot across my neighbor's field, who doesn't care if I do.

Of course, I don't do much 600 and 100 yard BP shooting! :wink:

 

[roundball]

I'm fortunate ... I can step outside and shoot anything up to 600 yards on my own property..."

That's outstanding...a number of folks on the forum here have similar situations and it must really be nice :thumbsup: