Parker Conicals Fall Down Barrel

[Harley268]

I need some suggestions. I have my father's custom .54 percussion rifle and plan on deer hunting with it this year. It is firing .535 round balls with a patch beautifully. However, I would like to use the 535gr Parker conicals I have, but they just fall down the barrel. I made a cross-shaped patch and lubed it for the conical. It "worked", but I basically had to hammer it down. What would be some of your suggestions? Thanks

 

[Frontier's]

Buy larger conicals.

 

[Harley268]

Buy larger conicals.

Really, I never thought of that.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Use the round balls with patch.

 

[Harley268]

Use the round balls with patch.

That is what I'm doing, but bought the conicals so I would like to use them.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I understand that you want to use the conical bullets. I don't think they will outperform the round ball on deer.

You could paper patch the conical bullets. Use just enough paper so the conical bullets are a slip fit with your lubrication. There re threads on the forum on paper patching conical bullets.

 

[Frontier's]

Really, I never thought of that.

You asked, and I gave you the correct answer. Don't get hurt over it.

 

[SDSmlf]

Find a flat wooden surface to put a file on. One at a time, roll bullets back and forth on the bottom file with another file (bullet is between the two files), basically adding a knurl to the OD of your bullet. Will take some practice, but it will increase the diameter of your undersized bullets.

 

[dave951]

Answer here is simple. Either get larger conicals OR get kinky and delve into the dark arts of paper patching.

 

[Harley268]

Forgot about paper patching, and thanks for the file idea

 

[nkbj]

I need some suggestions. I have my father's custom .54 percussion rifle and plan on deer hunting with it this year. It is firing .535 round balls with a patch beautifully. However, I would like to use the 535gr Parker conicals I have, but they just fall down the barrel. I made a cross-shaped patch and lubed it for the conical. It "worked", but I basically had to hammer it down. What would be some of your suggestions? Thanks

Asking out of curiosity. Could you say the diameter of the bullets and powder / charge weight you tried?
I couldn't turn up a picture of a 535 grain .54 caliber Parker but would love to see one of those too.
I did find this website.
http://www.alaska.net/~fourwair/parkerprodtest06.htm

 

[dave951]

He may mean. pritchett bullet. It was a smooth side minie designed to be shot paper patched.