About 5 years ago I bought a used .40 caliber GM round ball barrel from a member here for my TC Hawken. Put it in the closet. Now I would like to shoot it. Could someone give me a guess as to the size ball and type and thickness of patches to order to try? I have shot little blackpowder, mostly with minis in my .50. I have to order my stuff so I need a starting point. I will be using a substitute powder, not real black.
Recommendations for .40 RB..
- Thread starter Bill M.
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I would start with a .0389 dia. ball n 20 gr of 3 f black of your choice. Work up your load combo or combo's . My .40 liked a .395 ball dia. with 25-35 gr for tree rats n 50-65 gr 3 f for deer
Uncle Miltie
50 Cal.
I use a .400 ball with .015 patch. 40 gr GOEX fffg out to 50 yards and 60 grains at 100 yards. Outstanding accuracy.
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I hunt with 40 grains of 3F Swiss, a .389 RB, and an .018" pillow ticking patch lubed with mink oil.
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Order some .390 and .395 balls from Eddie Mays in GA & see what works well in your gun
hanshi
Cannon
My .40 did it's best with a .389" ball, 40 grains of 3F and a .023" patch lubed with Hoppes. That was my everything load and generated 1700 fps along with amazing accuracy. 60 grains made small groups at 100 yards.
i can only tell you about mine, i use a .018 pillow ticking patch with a .395 ball and 55gr. of 3f goex Olde Eynsford powder and for lube i use dawn dish soap water about a 60 water-40 soap mix, it loves a heavier charge,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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There seems to be a lot of accurate ball sizes for 40 caliber rifles. My Dixie Cub in 40 likes a .400 round ball and .015 lubed patch. That gave the best accuracy compared to smaller size balls. I started with a .390 or .395 ball but the .400 did better.
Have fun working up your load.
Jeff
Have fun working up your load.
Jeff
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I use a .390 ball, .018 pillow ticking spit patch, 30 gr 3F Goex. Its a one hole shootin laser. Rice radius groove barrel.
WC
WC
A set of these....
and then one of these...
Save some time and get a for sure bore measurement of your rifle. Every one is a bit different. You can crunch numbers and combos on paper a lot cheaper and easier and faster, believe it or not.
and then one of these...
Save some time and get a for sure bore measurement of your rifle. Every one is a bit different. You can crunch numbers and combos on paper a lot cheaper and easier and faster, believe it or not.
ronaldrothb49
45 Cal.
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Shot my .40 Douglas 1 x 72 twist barrel for a lot of years. It liked 45 grains of 3 fg Goex with a .015 spit patch. Every barrel is different so what has worked for one doesn't mean it will work for yours. Plus your working with a sub powder.
Dusty, where did you find those bore gauges?
Colonialnerd
40 Cal
I’m gonna openly display my ignorance, but wouldn’t a dead on .40 ball leave no room for a patch? Or would it just be really, really tight and hard to start and get seated?
Erwan
50 Cal.
Just do a search for "full ball small hole gauges". They are available from several tool outlets. The ones I have are Starrett.
It depends on what exactly his bore diameter and depth of riflings is.
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I shoot my .40 cal Poor Boy flintlock with .390 round balls. My first were store bought, I purchased a mold and now cast my own.
And pillow tick, not sure the thickness. T/C bore butter for lube.
40 grains of FFF.
And pillow tick, not sure the thickness. T/C bore butter for lube.
40 grains of FFF.
Flint Striker
40 Cal
It depends on the bore size. Sometimes you just have to measure stuff or experiment.
Depends on how soft the lead is and how thick the patch is. A very soft bore (land-to-land) diameter ball will deform to crush the patch to fit in the barrel. It will be hard to load. Once started, the loaded ball will be tight and seating is possible.
Uncle Miltie
50 Cal.
It's tight to load. Needs a short starter but I can still load it with a wooden rod.
