Hard ball??

[Joe Miller]

Since I won't be hunting, and there's no rifling to "engrave"...is there any reason not to cast some balls out of the same lead I'm using for my other bullets to shoot with a patch?
Thanks...
Just got my mold today...pot is still full of WW.

 

[TNGhost]

If you are not using them in a revolver (loading lever stress) and just as patched balls for a long gun then have at it, they will work fine.

 

[smo]

A lot of Guys I know shoot WW out of smooth bores.

I haven't, But plan too in the near future.

 

[Gun Tramp]

...is there any reason not to cast some balls out of the same lead I'm using for my other bullets to shoot with a patch?

Accuracy will best answer your question.

 

[Joe Miller]

Thanks guys...good to know...
I didn't see how it could be a problem, but I've thought that before.
Tomorrow I cast!!

 

[Kansas Kid]

Other than using up lead suitable for higher pressure rounds, no. You may get a little better mould fill out also.

 

[Notchy Bob]

I can't think of any reason not to shoot "hard balls" in your smoothbore. As you said, there is no rifling to engage.

One thing to keep in mind if you cast your own is that harder alloys come out a little oversized, as compared to pure lead cast in the same mould. I have a Lee .600" round all mould that drops balls of .602" - .603" when using salvaged lead from the local cowboy action range. That may or may not make a difference to you.

Shoot straight, and be safe!

Notchy Bob

 

[Billy Boy]

Since I won't be hunting, and there's no rifling to "engrave"...is there any reason not to cast some balls out of the same lead I'm using for my other bullets to shoot with a patch?
Thanks...
Just got my mold today...pot is still full of WW.

The alloy balls will drop from the mold larger in diameter than pure lead ones.
Maybe OK, maybe not.

 

[nhmoose]

All my smoothie projectiles are as hard as I can get them. RB's especially the RB of a 62 or bigger do not need any expansion.
Smaller caliber softies try to get to the size that the big balls are and usually fail.

I like hard even in unmentionables.

In shot hard makes much better patterns with no loss of power IMHO

 

[Joe Miller]

Thanks again!
See...I learn something every day.