Lee round ball mold

[Nicioli]

Hi, asking for help choosing the right round ball mold for my .45 cal TC Patriot Pistol to be used with a cloth patch.

I understand there are the .440 and the .445. Which one is the correct one ?

Thanks, regards, Nicioli

 

[bang]

It all depends on ball and patch combo fit to barrel.
Measure the bore first before choosing a size.
Most 45 cals will do just fine with a 0.440 and a 0.010 patch.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Buy both, if you can find them. See which size shoots the best. Lee ball molds are cheap but work fine.

 

[SDSmlf]

Hi, asking for help choosing the right round ball mold for my .45 cal TC Patriot Pistol to be used with a cloth patch.

I understand there are the .440 and the .445. Which one is the correct one ?

Thanks, regards, Nicioli

If you are worried the .445” may be to large, go with the .440” and adjust patch thickness for the best fit in the bore. I have both mold sizes, but honestly typically use .440” diameter in all my 45s.

 

[Timber Wolf]

You could also buy a 100 balls of each and see what you like before buying a mold. https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/127/2. But I suspect .440 would serve you just fine.

 

[SDSmlf]

Both molds are back in stock at TOF. If you are serious about getting a mold, I would not wait. They had been out stock for some time.

 

[Grenadier1758]

One should always measure the bore before buying a mold. Choose a mold that will throw a pure lead ball 0.005" to 0.010" less than the land to land diameter and up to 0.015" smaller for a pistol. The T/C Patriot pistols are notorious for stock breakage when loading too tight of a ball and patch combination. Smaller will be better in my opinion.

 

[Rifleman1776]

As said, trying each size is best way to find what your gun likes. I see from above post that Lee mould prices have gone up substantially. They used to be about $20.00.

 

[Timber Wolf]

As said, trying each size is best way to find what your gun likes. I see from above post that Lee mould prices have gone up substantially. They used to be about $20.00.

At that much for the mold(s), ladle, pot, lead, etc. etc. I wonder what the break even point is. Well, no, I don’t really want to know because even as much as I shoot I am sure I am in the red on most (all) of my molds.

 

[Nicioli]

OK folks thanks for all kind answers.I ´ll measure the barrel today but I think I´ll go with Grenadier suggestion of .440. Since this mold will be bought in France by my daughter ( 37 Euro ) I´ll check with the shop if they also stock the .445 size, but I´m afraid I´ll be able to buy just one.
Regards to all, Nicioli

 

[Nicioli]

Hi complementing: Just went to the site and they only have the .440 so this will have to do.
The question now regards the size and cloth material of the patch.
I guess linen will be best , what do you think?
Thanks , regards, Nicioli

 

[longcruise]

Hi, asking for help choosing the right round ball mold for my .45 cal TC Patriot Pistol to be used with a cloth patch.

I understand there are the .440 and the .445. Which one is the correct one ?

Thanks, regards, Nicioli

You should be just fine with the 440. Adjusting the patch material is the key and this way you won't be discovering that 445 is too large.

Have fun with it.

 

[nhmoose]

https://www.titanreloading.com/prod...ee-molds/black-powder-molds/round-ball-molds/

Lee DC .440 $28.49

 

[Howard Pippin]

Hi, asking for help choosing the right round ball mold for my .45 cal TC Patriot Pistol to be used with a cloth patch.

I understand there are the .440 and the .445. Which one is the correct one ?

Thanks, regards, Nicioli

About a year ago, I bought a secondhand 45 caliber muzzleloader and it came with a mold marked .44 caliber made in Italy. When I casted balls with it, they measured .o451 and weighed 141 grains, So I borrowed a mold from a friend made by Thompson Center and it was marked .44 and that's what the balls came out measuring, and they weighed 128 grs. A friend had gave me another one of those 44 caliber molds made in Italy, as that was for his 45 caliber pistol that he had disposed of, and when I cast some balls, they measured .451. Now the funny thing is, they all shoot good out of that rifle. It's a one in 60 twist, and I was using about .015-.018 patches and it didn't seem to make much difference in how hard they loaded and accuracy was good. I think the one in 60 had a lot to do with that, so if you can find a mold anywhere in that range, it sure worked for me.
Squint

 

[gunpa]

Don't forget Amazon! I've bought all mine there. Priced right and free shipping for Prime.

 

[hanshi]

I must have at least a couple dozen Lee molds but there are still 3 or 4 I want to buy eventually. In a pistol I recommend you use the .440" ball. Pistols are a bit more difficult to load and the smaller ball won't cause problems. Try various patches and use the one that works best.

A rifle is a different animal and can tolerate tighter loading. My two most used .45s handle both the .440" and the .445" about the same. For either ball size I use the same patching material that measures .024" compressed. Everything considered I think I prefer the .445" ball.

 

[gunpa]

My Pietta 44 takes 454 balls as most 44 C&B pistols do.

 

[SDSmlf]

My Pietta 44 takes 454 balls as most 44 C&B pistols do.

The TC Patriot is NOT a C&B pistol. It is a single shot, and as @Grenadier1758 reminded us, has a stock that it easily broken if you over stress them. The .440” diameter ball is the way to go. .454” diameter is way oversized.

 

[Nicioli]

Thanks folks I´ll go with the .440.
Regards, Nicioli

 

[Dismount]

Hi complementing: Just went to the site and they only have the .440 so this will have to do.
The question now regards the size and cloth material of the patch.
I guess linen will be best , what do you think?
Thanks , regards, Nicioli

Pillow ticking plus .440 ball is what I use for years