Round ball loads

[sr500]

I have found a realy good load for REAL bullets, but dont have any good load with round balls, for my 45 cal Trapper pistol.I have problems finding pure lead, so i have used wheel weights.The REAL bullets molded with wheelweights works real good,but i dont know if i could use weights for roundballs to.I use wads under my REALS.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I just bought a REAL mold (.45) to cast slugs for my ROA and '58 Rem 'Buffalo' revolver, have shot some (as pure lead as I can find) and results have shown potential but a rainstorm put the quiteus on my experiments. I use 1/16" felt wads under any slug or ball I shoot now since discovering the benefits of. I smear them with lube on the top side when loading. Good luck with your Trapper.

 

[sr500]

Thanks Blizzard. What do you think, about casting round balls with Wheelweights? I mean, the patch go into the rifling not the lead. I understand that pure lead is better in a revolver, couse it easyer to seat the ball.Its not easy to get pure lead these day. And wheelweights is not made of lead anymore, so you have to find old ones.At least in Sweden.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

Sorry, I can't comment as to the suitability, I never have used wheelweights for any BP slugs or RB's. Seems I saw that some have tho with good results, particularly smoothbore.

 

[sr500]

Now i think i found a round ball load that work realy good.I used my adjustable powder flask,so i think it should be around 17 grains of PP. Wad of a milk box, and a cotton patch. Good for paper shooting.Did cast 100 this evening,Old used wheelweights.Going to the range before work tomorrow morning.Good way to start the day.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Can't help with the casting / wheel weights issue. As far as loads for round balls goes, it's a personal decision. Some folks like the lite wimpy loads and some folks like me load em up :haha: . What ever load you try, I'd suggest using a wonder-wad over the powder. Uniform loading practices such as throwing the charges at home before going to the range, using the same manufacturer for the balls, caps, powder, etc. also helps. Using a loading stand to obtain the same pressure on the charges and seated balls also plays a part in the results and how well the pistol groups!

And remember that a small ring of lead gets shaved off the ball as it's being seated. My Walker uses a 50 grain charge of 3Fg Goex, an ox-yoke wonder-wad and a .454 Hornady ball. This charge for this gun is very accurate...I hit a 135 yd Gong with the thing :shocked2: . You'll find that each gun has a "sweet spot" as far as the charges go. Don't be affraid to use a little powder to get the ball to the target quicker, especially on those windy days!

Good luck and let us know how you do!

Dave

 

[Zonie]

"...And remember that a small ring of lead gets shaved off the ball as it's being seated...."
______________

I think we switched gears here? I think the Trapper is a single barrel pistol that's loaded from the muzzle?
If it is, it won't be shaving any lead off of the ball because the ball is patched.

The revolvers, like the Walker shave lead off of the balls when the ball is loaded into the chambers in the cylinder.

Have fun shooting! :grin:
zonie

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Zonie,

Sorry about that ooops :redface: . He can still use the advice for his NEXT BP pistol...after all pistols are like potato chips, you always want more than just one! :haha:

All the best,

Dave

 

[Zonie]

Hey, no need to apologize. Sometimes when typing the mind jumps ahead to the next thought and the stupid fingers forget what you were saying and jump to the new thought and just keep on typing.
zonie