.530 or .535 Ball Size in Lyman GPR

[Bob J]

I know this has come up before, however, here goes; I guess I've put maybe 250 to 300 shots thru my GPR using .530 ball and wonder ticking patches. Out shooting at a friends yesterday I noticed that it seems the ball goes down much easier than it used too (ball slides down pretty darn easy!). :hmm: It seems to be accurate, but I'm only shooting offhand at 25 yards. Does anyone use a .535 ball with a .018 (pillow ticking thickness) patch in the GPR? I do not want to go to a bigger ball and THINNER patch 'cause I want to be accurate with 100 grain hunting loads and pillow ticking holds up well. Thought I'd ask before purchasing .535 balls and heading to the range for some bench-work.

 

[jtmattison]

The only way to know for sure is to try the .535's.
My GPR does not like them. It prefers the .530 and .018 ticking patch.
I tried the .535's with both .018 and .015 patches and it does not shoot them well.
However, my Trade Rifle shoots the .535's better.
Each rifle is different.
Try them out. You may be pleased.

Huntin

 

[Rebel]

My .54 GPR shot fine with a .535 ball and Wa-Mart pillow ticking. 3/4"-1" at 50 yds.

 

[BrownBear]

Sounds like your GPR is behaving like mine. I started out getting best accuracy with .530s and a .015 patch, which was a pretty tight fit. After several hundred rounds it got so easy to load that I did some experimenting. A heavier patch tightened things up a bit, but I now find that a .535 ball with a .015 patch is the best combo. It takes a sharp smack with the short starter to get it going, but it still seats without too much effort.

Sounds to me like some experimenting is in order, giving you an excuse to do lots more shooting!

 

[Bob J]

Rebel-
What did you use for patch lube?

 

[Bob J]

Can't wait to experiment! Done went to the gun shop (my wife gave me a $25.00 gun shop gift certificate she won at a benefit auction) and bought .535 balls and Ox-Yoke wonder-lubed .15 patches (in case the pillow tickin's too thick). You know, this muzzleloading hobby begins to crowd out any other hobbies one used to have! :haha:

 

[Rebel]

At the time, Crisco.