new fusil

[Beerd2]

tg
what size round balls did you use in your .58 cal/24 ga?
i have a 24 bore fusil (maker unknown) that i am trying to figger out. there is NO WAY a patched .570 can be loaded ( well maybe in a clean barrel & with a big hammer). a .562 is extra tight with my normal .015" patch, .535's slide right down. seems silly to me to turn a .58 into a .54, but that might be what i'll have to do for RB shooting.
what do you think?
..

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Try a .560 ball and an .010 patch. Generally speaking, the tighter the ball, the better the accuracy. But if you are experiencing this much difficulty loading something is wrong. Perhaps the bore is a tad undersized, as sometimes happens. If the ball loads hard initially, and then becomes easier to seat, you may have a choked bore. Most likely it's just a too tight ball and patch combination.

 

[FireMaker]

I like .62 and shoot a .595. Just notified that My matchlock is enroute and is also .62. I just wanted a larger shot charge. The fusil also has a rear sight.

 

[tg]

I usualy use a .562 ball with if I recall a.017 patch ( memory kicking in here so beware) I have used .535 and .550 balls with thicker patches with good results as well, some find a cushion wad over the powder to help in accuracy I found the difference not be be great enough to be worth the effort. I will most likely use .562 and .550 balls when I start using my new Fusil. Historical speaking a wide range of ball sizes were used generally smaller than what we use today for a comparable bore size.

 

[Gemoke]

You guys have given me so much food for thought. I think I`ll run this by the the big dog( wife ) maybe I`ll just order a 62 and a 54 this will solve my dilemma, thanks for all the help. will keep you posted on what the big dog says
Cut Finger