Round ball, patch thickness relationship

[rcbloom2]

Question: I have a .54 rifle and .015 patches. Now, if I double .015, I get .030. Would the correct ball be .51? www.Ballmounds.com makes round ball molds in any diameter requested. I am trying to figure this out. Thanks in advance.

 

[Newly O’Brian]

Nah, go with .530" lead ball, the patch digs into to the lead and compresses also.

And a .015" to .018" patch

 

[rcbloom2]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Thingamajiggy]

Yep, as stated .530 would be a good place to start. Bore is measured to the lands so the extra patching is used to fill the grooves and seal so don't get blow by. A good place to start with any muzzleloader is .010 under bore, .490 for .50cal, .440 for .45 cal and so on.

 

[smokepolehall]

Lets dig into your ? overall & come up with things to ponder. A .510 ball leaves alot of empty space to fill. A thin patch thickness or patching of frugal buying may not hold up under your powder load. Many barrels have a standard bore of from land to land of the .540. Now not all have the same groove depth you have to fill up with the patching. Some barrel makers use a groove depth as deep as .018, while some may go with button depth of .004 to .006. Not all barrel makers give a nice smooth groove cut. Will be sharp edges & burrs. So thick patching maybe cut as loaded until the land/groove edge gets polished smooth by the patching. You can polish & or lap the bore to smooth it quicker.

 

[Frontier's]

What rifle do you have

 

[rcbloom2]

Yep, as stated .530 would be a good place to start. Bore is measured to the lands so the extra patching is used to fill the grooves and seal so don't get blow by. A good place to start with any muzzleloader is .010 under bore, .490 for .50cal, .440 for .45 cal and so on.

Thank you