Good day from Montana

[Billy Boy]

Good morning to all!
This is my first post as a new member. Excited to be here! The initial reason i have for posting is regarding Thompson Center (TC) Maxi Balls. I’m struggling to find any .50 Cal 320 grain Maxi Balls. Are these still in production? My Traditions Shedhorn is sighted in for that bullet and am running low. Thanks for any help.

Josh

Welcome from the North Coast

 

[JoshH]

Welcome!
https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...bots/tc-maxi-ball-muzzleloader-bullet/p/p4632

I tried a few times to order these but every time I tried to check out it said it was no longer in stock

 

[JoshH]

What part of Montana are you?

Over near Bozeman.

 

[JoshH]

Welcome from Eastern NC.
Montana? My favorite state in the union. Like VA Hawken said. I’d look at casting your own.

I’ve been doing a lot of research on casting. It may be a long term goal, but at this moment in life I’m not sure I’ve got the time for the learning curve. Any good books on the subject you’d recommend?

 

[JoshH]

Welcome from South-Central Indiana. I know muzzleloader-loaders.com sells them, but they’re currently OOS. Deer season ya’know. They do have the option to have you emailed when back in stock.

Thanks. I signed up for the email notification list. I’m hoping it’s seasonal issue and not a discontinued issue.

 

[JoshH]

Welcome from Upstate New York's Central-Leatherstocking Region.

I'm currently hunting with a T/C New Englander and round balls have proven themselves adequate in the past. ;-)

I’ve got plans to work up a good patched round ball load for this rifle (Traditions Shedhorn). Mostly as a practice load and deer load. The rifle is 1:28 twist so I’m hoping they will shoot well. I’m new to muzzleloading so I’m not sure whether or not it will be too fast a twist for the patched round balls or not. I’ll just have to try them out and see for myself. If they do I’m sure they’ll work fine for elk, but I’m thinking the maxi balls will give me a little bit longer effective range. Only one way to find out i suppose.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Ooooh. That is a fast twist. My T/C New Englander is 1:48" and my John Donelson .54 is 1:66". I really don't know, but I assume a round ball doesn't mind being spun a bit faster. The opposite is not true with longer bullets. A .44 caliber percussion pistol typically uses 1:18" twist and usually toss a round ball very well.

 

[JoshH]

Welcome from Winchester, VA!

If you get into casting your own, you can occasionally find molds on various auction sites.

I’ve been studying up on the process, do you recommend aluminum or another material? Or do they all have their pros and cons?

 

[mtfishn]

I’ve got plans to work up a good patched round ball load for this rifle (Traditions Shedhorn). Mostly as a practice load and deer load. The rifle is 1:28 twist so I’m hoping they will shoot well. I’m new to muzzleloading so I’m not sure whether or not it will be too fast a twist for the patched round balls or not. I’ll just have to try them out and see for myself. If they do I’m sure they’ll work fine for elk, but I’m thinking the maxi balls will give me a little bit longer effective range. Only one way to find out i suppose.

Try a fairly tight patch on the ball and start with very low charges of powder. (40-50 grains). If this works, you cna always load up a little at a time. Not a safety issue, just accuracy. Not likely this barrel will work with hunting loads and round balls.

 

[NavyDoc76-80]

I’ve been doing a lot of research on casting. It may be a long term goal, but at this moment in life I’m not sure I’ve got the time for the learning curve. Any good books on the subject you’d recommend?

There are two I would recommend getting started. The Lyman is dedicated to all casting and the Lee is all encompassing. Each has a slant towards selling their own products. But the knowledge far out ways the sales pitch. I really like Lee for price and quality of cast bullets cast. Probably have 30 moulds. My one exception is a custom NOE mould. Since we are talking pure lead round balls or some type of conical, your journey starting out will be much easier. No BHN (hardness scale) to consider in the process. I could go on and write a book doing so. So here are my picks, pun intended.

 

[VA Hawken]

I’ve been studying up on the process, do you recommend aluminum or another material? Or do they all have their pros and cons?

I actually use both, and can't say that there is a massive difference between them for me. The biggest issue has been making sure the molds get and stay hot enough while casting. Some of my steel molds are 50 years old, dating back to when I first got my TC Hawken while still in high school in the 70s. Take care of them, and they will give you a long life.

 

[Freedom]

Over near Bozeman.

Sent you a message.