Going shooting

[bobthemotorcycle]

I have monday off and I am going to hit the range and hope it is empty.

I am taking my son's Thompson Seneca in .36 cal.

I have a bunch of balls that are .345 to .350 in diameter. Do those seem like the correct size.

The patches I have are Thompson prelubricated cotton patches which are .015 or a 2x2 foot pice of some blue and white striped cotton material and it is about .018 to .020 thick.
Which should I use?

It has been 5 or 6 years since I shot it last so I dont remembr much about it.

I also have a bunch of .490 to .500 size balls. Would that have been for a .50 cal we use to have?
I cant figure out why I have a bunch of .440 size balls. Could it be for a single shot percusion pistol in .45?

PS. Can I use Ballistol Multi-Purpose Lube to oil my nipple when I put it back on?

 

[George T.]

It's suposed to be raining here in East Texas but any day at the range is a great time. I would use anti-seize from an auto parts store or Teflon pipe dope on the nipple threads. You may end up useing a couple of patch thicknesses to find the sweet spot. That majic area between hard loading and accuracy! Geo. T.

 

[necchi]

PS. Can I use Ballistol Multi-Purpose Lube to oil my nipple when I put it back on?

Yeah, but don't slop it on.
I usually touch a pipe cleaner to the oil, then touch only the nipple threads.
Too much and it'll foul like anything else that's too much, :wink:

 

[Rat Trapper]

My TC Seneca has deep round ball groves and the 18 thousands patching works best. Goex 3F in charges of 30 - 40 grains should work for you. I do find the 30 grain charges kind of hard on any meat you want to eat. The 40 grain charges will remove the head of a squirrel. The seneca is a real nice light rifle to carry in the woods for a day of hunting. The sights on it are also easier for my old eyes to see than the bead sights. The seneca is the only rifle I have that does not wear a peep sight.

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

Range is closed today, I have to wait until tommorow.

 

[don hepler]

TC Seneca 36 cal shots a .350 dia bullet with .015-.018 patch (.345 will work with thicker patch)

50 cal. rifles use .490-.495 dia. with .015-.018 patch

45 cal. pistol use .440-.445 dia. with .015-.018 patch

44 1860 Colt use .451-.454 dia balls

44 Old Army use .457 balls

Patch size may vary, depending on individual barrel, and adjusted to achive accuracy and ease of loading. I prefer to get the ball closer to the diameter of the barrel, and work with a suitable patch, to achieve accuracy.

 

[Billnpatti]

I think I'd use the .350 balls with a .018 patch lubed with Ballistol.........I love Ballistol. If you don't already know what powder charge to use, I'd start with about 35 grains and work up in 5 grain increments until you find what it likes best. You will probably find that 35 grains works fine for target work and that something around 50 to 55 grains will be your best hunting load. But, each rifle is different so you will have to figure the best charges for your particular rifle for yourself.