Range Report - .562" wooden balls in .58cal

[roundball]

I tried the .562" wooden balls with a .022" patch in my .58cal and they were still so loose I could start them with a finger tip, not even needing a strong thumb...could barey keep them on a 10" paper plate at a mere 15yds...tried powder charges of 30/40/50/60/70 grns Goex 3F and they all shot the same, spraying a paper plate.

By contrast, 30 regular lead .570s with a target load of 60grns Goex 3F and a .015" patch basically made a couple inch ragged hole at 50yds just sitting in a chair.

So a much thicker patch will be needed than the .022" I had to see if these wooden balls could be more accurate...maybe patches cut from an old pair of blue jeans, etc...but even at that there's no guarantee as they're so light at only 15grns, there's nothing to them...even patch separation at muzzle exit might be disturbing them they're so light, dunno.

I don't often plink around with my .58cal hunting rifle as commercial balls not cheap so it may be a while before I take the .58 back to the range...when I do, I'll take some thick blue jean patches with me and try a few more wooden balls then.

 

[wtilenw]

What about just double patching with say a .020 and a .015" ?
Idaho PRB

 

[Blizzard of '93]

well, back to the drawing board. thanks for info.

 

[roundball]

Yes, I've double patched in the past with good results...

For some reason this morning with these wooden balls I just didn't want to fool with them any more right then and didn't try double patching...broke out a box of regular lead balls and enjoyed the rest of the range session.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Good Saturday morning to ya! Maybe you could try a circle-fly wad before the patch, just in case your balls are catching on fire from the explosion :shocked2: :haha: :rotf: .

Sorry, but you left the door wide open, and if I didn't say it you know that Paul V. would have!


The denim idea sounds like it might work. Maybe you don't want to use too much / any lube at all if the go down the bore that easily. I'd try a dry patch with the wad and see what happens.

Dave

 

[nchawkeye]

Roundball...I've got a question, as much as you like to shoot why in the world don't you buy a few molds and make your own balls...I have both a .390 and a .530 Rapine bag mold...I melt the lead in a soup can on an old Coleman and get good accuracy with this cheap setup...The only thing I bought was the molds and the ladle..

 

[roundball]

Just never had an interest in getting into casting...

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I wonder if you would get enough power using a 209 primer alone? You can buy a 209 nipple for like $15 and that might give you enough power. I would like to shoot in my basement at 15yds if it worked.

 

[Rebel]

Hard to get the nipple to stay put on the frizzen though. :rotf: