Lubing Maxi Ball

[Big Tom 52]

I'm going to try some maxi balls (first time) in my rifles for the upcoming Pa. deer season and would like some opinions if I'm putting enough lube in the grove. Using 45 cal. and 50 cal. I've read that just putting lube in the bottom grove is sufficient.

 

[SDSmlf]

I'm going to try some maxi balls (first time) in my rifles for the upcoming Pa. deer season and would like some opinions if I'm putting enough lube in the grove. Using 45 cal. and 50 cal. I've read that just putting lube in the bottom grove is sufficient.

Do the Maxi Balls load easily and then stay on the powder charge once loaded? What are your targets telling you?

 

[LST-1185]

You are correct. Only lube the lower grove. For target shooting, using my 45 caliber t/c hawken rifle, I size the maxi balls to just ride on the lands of the barrels rifling with a 50 caliber wad between the powder and the base of the bullet. However "Idaho Lewis" who recommended this procedure also said not to size the maxi balls for hunting because while walking though brush or woods the bullet could slide down the barrel. Hope this helps you.

 

[longcruise]

When I size for ml I use Lee push through but not pushed through. I push in base first but just short of the front driving band.

 

[stubshaft]

Back when I used to shoot maxi's, I did so in my Hawkens. The bores were slightly coned and I shot them as cast with only the lower groove lubed.

 

[Big Tom 52]

Do the Maxi Balls load easily and then stay on the powder charge once loaded? What are your targets telling you?

I've only shot a couple with the 45 Cherokee caliber, and I still have to work up a good load. As far as loading, it was tighter than a patched RB and I was a little concerned with the recoil, not with it being more than I can shoot comfortable but I read that Cherokee's have a weak wrist and prone to cracking. I was loading with 60 grains of 3f Goex and the Maxi was 245 gr , I believe but not positive. Thanks for the info on what to be aware of

 

[SDSmlf]

I've only shot a couple with the 45 Cherokee caliber, and I still have to work up a good load. As far as loading, it was tighter than a patched RB and I was a little concerned with the recoil, not with it being more than I can shoot comfortable but I read that Cherokee's have a weak wrist and prone to cracking. I was loading with 60 grains of 3f Goex and the Maxi was 245 gr , I believe but not positive. Thanks for the info on what to be aware of

Back in the day, maybe 30 to 40 years ago, the first cracked and broken TC stocks I came across with owners wanting the stock reenforced/repaired were Cherokee and Seneca stocks (at the time TC would replace stocks under warranty, but the wood never seemed as nice as the originals). The common denominators in just about every instance were heavy loads, tight loading loads or conicals (MaxiBalls). Remember the max load for the Cherokee and Senecas being 80 grains and a minimum of 60 grains under a MaxiBall at the time. Didn’t seem to matter, as stocks seem to crack/break through the wrist and lock area with either load per the owners.

I wish you luck shooting MaxiBalls out of your 45 caliber Cherokee and hope the stock holds up. I don’t believe replacement stocks have been made by TC for around 35 years and they have become rather rare and pricy.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Back when I had my T/C hawken, I used maxi bullets. I filled all the lube grooves top and bottom with bore butter then wrapped the lubed bullet in wax paper and twisted a crimp on both ends. When I needed a bullet, I tore off the bottom crimp and the bullet easily squeezed out into the end of the barrel. It kept every thing clean and easy loading.
Ohio Rusty ><>

 

[Big Tom 52]

Thank all for the replies! I may be an old dog but willing to learn new tricks!!

 

[Big Tom 52]

Back in the day, maybe 30 to 40 years ago, the first cracked and broken TC stocks I came across with owners wanting the stock reenforced/repaired were Cherokee and Seneca stocks (at the time TC would replace stocks under warranty, but the wood never seemed as nice as the originals). The common denominators in just about every instance were heavy loads, tight loading loads or conicals (MaxiBalls). Remember the max load for the Cherokee and Senecas being 80 grains and a minimum of 60 grains under a MaxiBall at the time. Didn’t seem to matter, as stocks seem to crack/break through the wrist and lock area with either load per the owners.

I wish you luck shooting MaxiBalls out of your 45 caliber Cherokee and hope the stock holds up. I don’t believe replacement stocks have been made by TC for around 35 years and they have become rather rare and pricy.

I'm going to stop shooting Maxi's with the Cherokee, too many negatives to push my luck and I got really good accuracy shooting RB's. I'll see how the Lyman shoots the 378 gr Maxi"s I got for it. Thanks Again!!