proper roundball size for 45

[Ben Grace]

I got a Investarms 45 that is .451 across the lands, I have never shot this gun and I bought a pack of rbs for it , when I got home I realized they were .457 rbs can I shoot them in this gun?

 

[damron]

too big
Use .440 or .445 and patching to make them fit snug.

George

 

[paulvallandigham]

Yes, you can shoot .457" RBs in that .451" diameter barrel, but it takes a lot of weight on the short starter to get it started down the muzzle. Once started it will go down. BUT, be sure t wipe the bore after each shot so the crud does not stop the ball half way down the barrel the next shot.

I would go back to the store and trade those balls for some that are .440"or .445". The balls you have are most commonly used in replica revolvers, where some of the lead is shaved off the ball's diameter at the mouth of each chamber in the cylinder. The Ruger Old Action Army revolver is one example of a replica specifically chambered to use the .457" balls.

Understand that there are barrels marked ".45" that may have bore diameters from .429" on up to .458", using balls with diameters including .433", .440", .445", .451", .452", .454", and .457-.458".

ALL are ".45's"! :shocked2: :thumbsup:

 

[Ben Grace]

Thanks alot for the info, I am new to the forum and really learning alot. What should I expect in the way of groups out of this gun with rbs? Its a Investarms carbine 1:48 twist I.d. of barrel is chromed.

 

[asbrown]

:hmm: i agree with Paul. I have a 45 thats 457 and it shoots 454 balls great. You should start with 440 balls, some .010 and .015 patches, and about 45grn of your favorite powder. my 45 shoots great with 70 grns of 3F but its a 1-60 twist. Let us know how it goes at the range. :thumbsup:

 

[ohio ramrod]

Welcome to the best forum on the web. I have the same rifle and it shoots well with either a 445 ball ten thousands patch, or 440 ball and 15 thousands patch. I use a leather over powder wad, 40 grain FFF black powder, 20% beeswax 80% lard patch lube.