.530 or .535??

Why are there two sizes of roundball for a 54 cal rifle?Today I ordered a .530 mold and I'm wondering if I should have got a .535 instead. :hmm:

 

[Rebel]

There are more than 2, but those are the two Standard sizes. They also make a .490 and a .495 for a .50cal. The .530 you ordered may work fine in your rifle. Some like the .530 and some the .535. Just use a little thicker patch with the .530.

 

I have been shooting .530 in it and it seems to do fine.I just built the rifle a few days ago.It is a lyman GPR.All browned metal and tung oil on stock.The gun looks like a big ol' log. :grin:

 

I have been shooting .530 in it and it seems to do fine.I just built the rifle a few days ago.It is a lyman GPR.All browned metal and tung oil on stock.The gun looks like a big ol' log. :grin:

Lucifer, my GPR, has a fondness for .535 and pillow ticking.

CP

 

[jtmattison]

I have a Great Plains Rifle that prefers .530 ball with .018 patch and a Trade Rifle that prefers .535 ball with .018 patch.
You have to experiment to find which your rifle shoots best. Buy a box of .535's and try them before you buy the mold.

Huntin Dawg

 

[Swampman]

I find that the .526 or .520 work the best. You don't want to have to use a short starter. It's not historically accurate.

 

Nice rifle.It is alot nicer than mine .Also like the name.I call mine the UGLY STICK :grin:

 

[Herb]

You'll find the .530 easier to load. I have shot both in my Green River Leman and Hawken, but prefer .526 to either of those. That's the size ball the old GRRifle Works used. Got to mold some of those balls soon to use in my GRRW parts Hawken I just finished.

 

[taylorh]

Boy times have changed! We used to name our guns after beautiful women we had known, and our swords for heros, or values such as 'truth' and 'courage'. Now were naming them after Lord Saten and Man Wands! Whats could be next?
Just an off subject observation,
Taylor in Texas
:rotf:

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Greetings CROWHOP,

As has already been posted, only shooting and testing both sizes will determine which ball size (.530 or .535) will shoot most accurately.

The style of rifling is an important consideration. As a rule, barrels with wide rifling grooves and narrow lands will accept and shoot with great accuracy the .535 size ball. Keep in mind, the .535 size ball is still .005 of an inch smaller than the .540 groove diameter of the bore.

I would suggest that before buying a mould, you purchase a box of both .530 and .535 ball sizes and experiment them and different thickness of patch material.

Once you have three shot groups clustering into one hole clover-leaf groups at 25 yards, move to 50 yards. This distance will separate the good from the not-so-good.

When you finished with your testing, you should be able to determine what size mould will be best.

Best regards and good shooting,

John L. Hinnant

If you are not an NRA Member, why not? I am carrying your load.

 

[Bob J]

My .54 GPR shot well with .530 balls. But after about 250 - 300 shots I noticed that they slid down the bore with minimal pressure on ramrod so I switched to .535 balls (.018 pillow ticking patches). At 50 yards it will shoot one ragged hole when I do my part - on the bench with sandbags.

My old Uberti Santa Fe Hawken took .520 ball.