r/b mold size?

[snagg]

My son has been shooting r/b's measuring .717 - .718 out of his Brown Bess with very good results.

What would be the actual mold size to order to get that size ball? Do the balls shrink very much after they are poured from cooling?

Thanks, snagg

 

[spottedpony]

Lead hardness will cause some variation in actual size of cast balls, but using soft lead, you should be ok with a mold of the specific diameter that shoots well.
I shoot .495 in my 50 cal, & both my molds are for casting that size. when i put the calipers on balls ive cast, rotating the ball and measuring in several places around the ball diameter will run .494 to .496. Thats about as round as you'll get out of any mold.
The only reason i weigh them anymore is to catch the odd one that may have an air pocket, as weights will generally run 181 to 183 grains.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Mould sizes should be corrected for shrinkage as stated.

IF you are casting with pure lead.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Unless the balls were from a very particular mold designed for that diameter, I'd say they're from a .715" mold. It's not uncommon for balls & bullets to come out a bit larger than the listed mold diameter. For cartridge guns this allows bullets to be sized to fit. That same "allowance" can be found in round ball molds as well and may be a result of a new cutter for the mold blank.

 

[snagg]

Thanks for the help, fella's.
I will be melting pure lead for his hunting balls, and we will use wheel weights for plinking. From what I've read there is a difference in the way wheel weights will size, but for plinking it won't be a real issue.
I checked a couple vendors and could only find .690, .715, .730 round ball molds. So we will probably go with the .715 as that is the closest to our needs.
This will be his first year with the Bess and we're anxious to see what that .717 ball will do to a deer.
Thanks again for the prompt responses., snagg

 

[J.D.]

WW alloy cast in a .715 mould will yield a ball larger than .715. I consistently use balls cast of ATM, anything that melts, in my bess with very good results. Those balls consistently run .718.

I even use ATM balls for deer hunting, since a pure lead ball of that size won't expand in a deer size animal.

J.D.

 

[snagg]

J.D.
I didn't know that the .715 r/b wouldn't expand in a Whitetail. I guess we can just mold balls out of WW's for him and be done with it.
I was surprised at the cost of the Lyman mold for his r/b's. I will research some and see if I can find a less expensive mold for him. Thanks for your help, also.

snagg

 

[bwhoffman]

LEE might make a mold mold of that size for you, alsochecksome of our associated vendors in the links section for used molds...
The "gun Works" usually has a good selection of used molds, helped me out a couple of times.

Wheel weight will shoot OK, use a good patch!
And do your casting outdoors where the air is good and ever-changing!

 

[snagg]

Thanks Brett,
I hadn't even thought about our vendors here. I'll also check The Gun Works, too.

Good ventilation for sure. :thumbsup:

Thanks, snagg