.570 or .575 Round Ball

[VEARL]

I have shot my .58 Cal T.C. Big Bore rifle (factory barrel) using .570 RB. Using a .015 lubed patch, it loaded fairly easily and shot groups in a 6 inch target at 50 yds.
Was wondering how a .575 RB with a lubed patch might do in the rifle. What thickness patch was used?
Does any one else use a .575 RB IN their 58's?
The price for a Lyman .570 RB mould is approx: $70. A LEE .575 RB mould is approx: $30. The difference in price would buy more lead.
Thanks everyone,
Vearl

 

[Leatherbark]

That Lee mold sure does cost less thats for sure. If I was using a .570 ball I would use at least a .020 patch in the T.C barrel as those shallow grooves need a tight load. I dont have a T.C Big Boar so I cannot comment. In my .58's I like using a .562 ball and a thick canvas patch.

Bob

 

[GaCop]

Curious as I'm shooting a 58 cal Zouave that obviously like PRB's instead of Minie' bullets. All I find on line are .570 and .575. Are you casting the ball at that diameter?

I'm having a problem with my Zouave tearing patches seating a tight combination of .570" ball with Ox Yoke .018" patchs. I chamfered the muzzle but it still seems to be tearing the patch a bit. .015" patches from thin cotton were blown all to hell so I have given up on those. I am using an over powder wad that has helped accuracy.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread.......

Tom

 

[VEARL]

I'm using pillow ticking for patches when shooting the .570 RB. What thickness of canvas are you using?
Wondering if the .575 RB and patching might be to tight to load easily. Don't want to hammer the combo down the barrel.
Thought by going to a .575 RB, that it might help to tighten up the group.
I always use a dry patch over powder in my guns. Does seem to help ptrevent patch burn out. Also swab between shots.
I bought some Hornady.570 RB. Thought about casting my own. Just can't decide what diam. of mould that would be best for the rifle.

 

[BrownBear]

In two Big Boars using ticking with .575 balls is a bit of a thump in the starting department, but it sure improved the accuracy. With .015 patching the .575 balls weren't too bad to start, and in fact are more accurate than .570 with ticking.

Kind of a tossup for me cuzz I like the price of ticking and am pretty well set up to use it in all of my guns. I'm still trying to decide between the little harder starting with .575 and ticking versus using the .570 and putting up with a little looser groups versus changing to a thicker patch like canvas. I'm kinda steering clear of .015 patches in the mix because I don't have as ready a source, but that with a .575 still might be the best all around setup.

 

[M. De Land]

I need to try some PB's in my .58 as well. It was designed for conical shooting and I have no idea of how it will shoot PB's. I will go with the Lee molds as I have in all my other muzzle loading rifles and pistols. I much prefer the very short spru which I roll off in a tumbler after putting in some glass marbles with them. It just about disappears after being tumbled for about an hour. I haven't been able to tell any difference in accuracy from swaged store bought balls and my cast tumbled lead balls. MD

 

[Little Wattsy]

I know it s slightly off but in my .54 when I went from a .530 ball and a .015 patch to a .535 ball and the same .015 path my groups tightened up ALOT! Now its 3" group at 100 yards and tighter as we get closer to 20 yards...

 

[nkbj]

I'm still trying to decide whether .570 or .575 will be best in the Hoyt rebored Renegade. Cast up some .562 but haven't tried them yet.
.575 is stiff to load even with a .580 bore and narrow lands.

 

[David W.]

Before you spend $$$ on a mould, I suggest you buy a box of .575 balls and try it first. You can also try a thicker patch with your .570 balls.

Of course as always, finding the powder charge sweet spot cures a lot of accuracy problems.

 

[majg1234]

I'm shooting .562 ball with wool felt over the powder and .018 ticking in both my 58's One a TVM Rice round bottem early Va rifled flinter the other an Investarms Hawken style capper.Both load really easy and are very accurate.less than 2" @ 75yrds.Tried denim patches in each and all I noticed was harder loading :stir: So went back to origional way tinkered with powder loads'til I was satisfied.The flinter took a nice doe @77yrds this season :thumbsup:

 

[DEWB]

I havn't tried a .575 although I would like to try them. I shoot .570's with cotton duck patches. Its a tight load but I have had very good accuracy with this combo.
You can try local gun shows for rb moulds. I Have gotten some real good deals on Lyman molds there.

 

[ihuntsnook]

I shoot swaged 570s and home cast 568s out of my musket. Both are accurate with pillow ticking lubed with ballistol and water. The 568 mold came from Jeff Tanner in the UK. Brass mold doesn't have a sprue cutter, but a pair of nippers does the job. I wanted the smaller ball for casting harder lead, and it seems to work. Both shoot well. Custom mold from Tanner was about $40 shipped.

 

[Bill Hall]

I use .575's in my G.M. .58, and use the same ball to test fire rifles in which I had built around G.M. barrels. But, I did buy a bag of .570's to try before I bought the .575 mold.

Like mentioned earlier, you would be better off to buy a bag of .575's and try them out before investing in a mold. Chance are they will work, but you will need to play with patch thickness to get it just right.

On the other end, I am building a Hawken using a Colerain .58 barrel, and .575's will not even come close to going down the bore. I will test fire it using .570's and will suggest to the buyer to use that size ball or smaller. Good luck. Bill

 

[Leatherbark]

Curious as I'm shooting a 58 cal Zouave that obviously like PRB's instead of Minie' bullets. All I find on line are .570 and .575. Are you casting the ball at that diameter?

I'm having a problem with my Zouave tearing patches seating a tight combination of .570" ball with Ox Yoke .018" patchs. I chamfered the muzzle but it still seems to be tearing the patch a bit. .015" patches from thin cotton were blown all to hell so I have given up on those. I am using an over powder wad that has helped accuracy.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread.......

Tom

Yes Tom, I cast the .562 in a Lee mold. The .562 size was very common in Zouave muskets back in the 70's. You can find the .562 size ball online.

Bob

 

[GaCop]

Thanks Bob, will do.

Tom

 

[410-er]

I do want to try the .575 RB but for now using the .570.

 

[George T.]

I bet that going to .018 would get you tighter groups. In my 58 Zo. I shoot the .570 with .018 ticking and if I am going to shoot several shots I use a mallet to save wear and tear on the hand. It shoots almost as well with .015 but not quite as well. Geo. T.

 

[rhwestfall]

yep, .562 are just a dream in my Mountain Rifle. Actually, I was able to find an owner's manual, and that ball was actually recommended...

 

[D Sanders]

I have shot my .58 Cal T.C. Big Bore rifle (factory barrel) using .570 RB. Using a .015 lubed patch, it loaded fairly easily and shot groups in a 6 inch target at 50 yds.
Was wondering how a .575 RB with a lubed patch might do in the rifle. What thickness patch was used?
Does any one else use a .575 RB IN their 58's?
The price for a Lyman .570 RB mould is approx: $70. A LEE .575 RB mould is approx: $30. The difference in price would buy more lead.
Thanks everyone,
Vearl

I have a.58 cal green mountain barrel. I use a .575 ball with a .018 thick patch. I can get 3" groups at 100 yards bench rested. I would think that a .570 ball with thicker patching would be the same difference as using a larger ball. Your groups should get better.

HH 60