Ball and Patch sizes

[hrt4me]

Which size lead round ball diameter, and corresponding patch, do you recommend?

I used my small hole gage and dial micrometer at the muzzle of the rifled barrel to arrive at 0.427 for a bore size.

I inserted pin gages into the muzzle (cannot access the breech end), and 0.425 easily slides right in and out, while 0.426 gently goes in about half the length of the gage before meeting resistance.

If these measurements are accurate enough to deem the bore size to be 0.426, then the closest lead round ball I can find is 0.410 from Track of the Wolf.

So what corresponding patch size should I use then in conjunction with a 0.410 lead round ball?

Or would I be better served finding a custom 0.416 lead round ball mold?

 

[flntlokr]

Which size lead round ball diameter, and corresponding patch, do you recommend?

I used my small hole gage and dial micrometer at the muzzle to arrive at 0.427 for a bore size.

I inserted pin gages into the muzzle (cannot access the breech end), and 0.425 easily slides right in and out, while 0.426 gently goes in about half the length of the gage before meeting resistance.

If these measurements are accurate enough to deem the bore size to be 0.426, then the closest lead round ball I can find is 0.410 from Track of the Wolf.

So what corresponding patch size should I use then in conjunction with a 0.410 lead round ball?

Or would I be better served finding a custom 0.416 lead round ball mold?

To save messing with finding/having made a custom mold, I would use that .410 with a thick patch. For my .40-.50 cal rifles, I use 1" pre-punched patches.

 

[hrt4me]

What is considered a "thick" patch?
My experience has been primarily cap-and-ball percussion revolvers, so patches are relatively new to me...

 

[Roundball 54]

What is considered a "thick" patch?
My experience has been primarily cap-and-ball percussion revolvers, so patches are relatively new to me...

Maybe start with about a .020" ... .022" patch .

 

[Woody Morgan]

Maybe start with about a .020" ... .022" patch .

I understand that thicker pillow ticking from Walmart or Joann's is right around .022".

wm

 

[Roundball 54]

I understand that thicker pillow ticking from Walmart or Joann's is right around .022".

wm

The last pillow ticking l bought at Joann's was around .020" .

 

[TreeMan]

Go to a fabric shop and buy half a yard of three thickness sizes. You won’t know what will work until you actually experiment with them. Fabric is cheap. Measuring and overthinking it won’t help find a patch ball combo your rifle likes. Once you find which patch thickness works just save the other two sizes for future rifles or use it to wipe your hands off with.

 

[Stykbow]

The last pillow ticking l bought at Joann's was around .020" .

That’s been my experience. The stuff I bought will compress down to around .018. Did wonders for how my GPR shoots.

 

[unclelouie]

That’s been my experience. The stuff I bought will compress down to around .018. Did wonders for how my GPR shoots.

look for the material that dicky coveralls are made out of. the material is 22. when wet can compress to as low as 14. doesn't improve scores but makes everything consistent. Green River rifle works (doc White) swore by them.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Which size lead round ball diameter, and corresponding patch, do you recommend?

I used my small hole gage and dial micrometer at the muzzle of the rifled barrel to arrive at 0.427 for a bore size.

I inserted pin gages into the muzzle (cannot access the breech end), and 0.425 easily slides right in and out, while 0.426 gently goes in about half the length of the gage before meeting resistance.

If these measurements are accurate enough to deem the bore size to be 0.426, then the closest lead round ball I can find is 0.410 from Track of the Wolf.

So what corresponding patch size should I use then in conjunction with a 0.410 lead round ball?

Or would I be better served finding a custom 0.416 lead round ball mold?

You have seen my kit. I carry patches from .010 to .018 in cotton and linen.
Get your balls and let's meet up at the range and find out what it likes the best.
There is no formula or rule to use. The gun is like a woman, they all have the same basic parts but no 2 of them will like the same thing.
There are so many factors to consider. Bore, depth of rifling, texture of finish, twist, muzzle shape, and more. Let the gun tell you what it likes.
The only way to know is to shoot it!

 

[Woody Morgan]

You have seen my kit. I carry patches from .010 to .018 in cotton and linen.
Get your balls and let's meet up at the range and find out what it likes the best.
There is no formula or rule to use. The gun is like a woman, they all have the same basic parts but no 2 of them will like the same thing.
There are so many factors to consider. Bore, depth of rifling, texture of finish, twist, muzzle shape, and more. Let the gun tell you what it likes.
The only way to know is to shoot it!

However, two women can certainly dislike the same thing. Just my observation.

wm

 

[Griz44Mag]

However, two women can certainly dislike the same thing. Just my observation.

wm

With that statement - I can only say that you have at least a basic understanding of women