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LEAD PIPE

32 Cal.
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
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I have a 54 cal T/C Renegade. I picked up some .530 lead balls, .005, .010 and .015 lubed patches. The barrel of my muzzleloader has been nickel plated (not sure how much that decreases the diameter of the barrel. The balls, with no patch, fit into the barrel and can roll all the way down and back without getting stuck. What do you think the correct size patch would be for this setup? I know I should try them all, which is fine, but if I am missing something obvious I would like to know about it.

Thanks
John
 
Typically, .005 and .010 are too thin to hold up to the heat and impart a good spin on the ball...
Most prefer .015 and .018 patches...When you start the ball, it will "shrink" with a good pop to the short starter...Once this happens, it's smaller than .530...
 
I don't like a patch thinner than .015 and prefer at least .018. You should be able to load that ball with a lubed .015 patch no problem.
 
LEAD PIPE said:
I have a 54 cal T/C Renegade. I picked up some .530 lead balls, .005, .010 and .015 lubed patches. The barrel of my muzzleloader has been nickel plated (not sure how much that decreases the diameter of the barrel. The balls, with no patch, fit into the barrel and can roll all the way down and back without getting stuck. What do you think the correct size patch would be for this setup? I know I should try them all, which is fine, but if I am missing something obvious I would like to know about it.

Thanks
John


My .54 Renegade is NOT nickel plated but it shoots very well with a .530 ball and a T/C .015 prelubed patch.
 
Nickel (or chrome, it may be chrome plated) generally isn't plated very thick. A couple thousandths, maybe less. I'd go ahead and try the .015. If that's still an easy load, you might give pillow ticking a try. It mics out a tiny bit thicker but seems to hold up a lot better.
 
Those are probably all too light. The .015 might work out depending on your actual bore size.

I would suggest that you also get some .535 balls and some patching in .018 to as large as .023 and try with both ball sizes. Somewhere in there will be a good combo :thumbsup:
 
As stated by Swamp you need to try a thicker patch. The .535 ball is not always the most accurate in a .54 but try it you never know. Try the .015,.018 and maybe the Walmart Blue Cotton Duct .024. Make sure you have a good lube and the barrel is clean.
So far as Chrome lined barrels go they were dropped for the most part years ago. The original idea was that it was cheaper to line than polish machine marks from the bore. Test back in the 70s or 80s showed that chrome lined barrels gave lower velocity than regular cut bores. This may be due to the loss of friction needed to build up pressure in the barrel. What ever the case none of the major barrel makers offer these barrels.
:shake:
The modern light machine guns and military rifles use them to reduce damage from ball powders . This is not an issue in front feeders. :shake:
 
I use .530's and pillow tick in mine. It is a tight fit but still "do-able" in the woods. Shoots to couple inches at a hundred on a good day! 80 grs. seems most accurate 100 gr a good deer load...
 
This barrel was nickel plated after market. I'm not sure if it matters but I lapped it before I plated it. I will start with the .015 patch and see how that goes. Thanks everyone for the help! I will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

I agree that most lined barrels are less accurate. I do however have a FN a3g in 308 that has a chrome lined barrel and is very very accurate.


John
 
Well I shot today. I went with the .15 patch and it seemed to work out well. I had 2" groups at 50 yards and 3" groups at 100 yards. The 100 yard groups were 5" low. I plan on hunting tomorrow so hopefully I will have some luck. Thanks for all your help.
 
good luck hunting I plan on ordering a mould soon THis may have influenced me to go with a 530 for the 54. You can also buy pocket drill fabric at JoAnn fabric it mikes about .013 or so. I suggest washing the pillow ticking fabric or drill cloth first once or twice.
 
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