historically correct ball size

[badhand]

I wonder what undersize balls were used by the early riflemen. It seems that they would not have used a ball/patch combo which required a "short starter", a device which I believe to be of recent invention, or which would risk fracturing the loading stick. The prospect of fitting up a ramrod in the field is a daunting one, though it certainly was done at times. For hunting I use a 433 swaged ball and an .018 Ox Yoke ticking patch with Wonder Lube. This loads real easily in my 45 Getz barrel with coned muzzle, though I will try some hand cast 429's in the near future. I can already hear the cries about poor accuracy, but rest assured that the accuracy for hunting is not degraded to any great degree. Comments?

Dave in downeast Maine

 

[tg]

I think the general trend now is a tighter combo than in the days gone by. with a looser load and a lighter charge very good accuracy can be had, and you don't have to hammer the ball down.This is even more evident in shooting smoothbores in my experience.

 

[strongarm]

Powder quality of years ago isn't was it is today. Fouling shots were common, today almost non-existent. A fouled barrel would certainly make up for an undersized ball and patch.

 

[tg]

I would be interested in any period 1770-1840 references to the commonality of fowling shots before loading the gun for hunting or battle, thanks in advance.

 

[bpollock_sr]

I always try to find an easy loading rb and patch combination which will give me acceptable hunting accuracy. A tight load may be ok for targets, but when hunting, with cold hands and the adrenilin flowing, an easy loading rifle makes a big difference.I use the standard size ball, .490,.530, ect. but find a patch and lube combination that works well in a given rifle.

 

Coning of the muzzle was common in the old days,and since I went to coned muzzles in my rifles I have found that the tight patch/ball combos load much easier and don't have to pound them in. A coned barrel is simply a crowned barrel with a slower angle of the crown that has no sharp corner at the transition from muzzle to full rifled bore. Also reduces the problem of rod wear on the crown shoulder because there isn't one or it is negligible.