Roundball size for .69 smoothbore?

[PathfinderNC]

What roundball size works well for a .69 Smoothbore?
(I may patch or may not.)

 

[rich pierce]

What roundball size works well for a .69 Smoothbore?
(I may patch or may not.)

.662 is what I use.

 

[PathfinderNC]

.662 is what I use.

Thanks Rich.
Dang these are not cheap to shoot

 

[64Springer]

.662 here too.

 

[PathfinderNC]

It seems Lyman makes a .662 mould, but all I have is a Lee set of handles

 

[rich pierce]

Thanks Rich.
Dang these are not cheap to shoot

When target shooting I use an elm log as my backstop. Every 60 shots or so the log starts to fall apart. I get the lead out of it and cast more round balls. And get a new chunk of elm log. It needs about a 16” log to hold up awhile.

 

[PathfinderNC]

When target shooting I use an elm log as my backstop. Every 60 shots or so the log starts to fall apart. I get the lead out of it and cast more round balls. And get a new chunk of elm log. It needs about a 16” log to hold up awhile.

I like that idea!
I just ordered the mould and handles from Track.
Thanks for your advice

 

[springfield art]

When target shooting I use an elm log as my backstop. Every 60 shots or so the log starts to fall apart. I get the lead out of it and cast more round balls. And get a new chunk of elm log. It needs about a 16” log to hold up awhile.

Talk about efficient Recycling!

 

[Rob M.]

When target shooting I use an elm log as my backstop. Every 60 shots or so the log starts to fall apart. I get the lead out of it and cast more round balls. And get a new chunk of elm log. It needs about a 16” log to hold up awhile.

Interesting ....good idea

 

[nhmoose]

It seems Lyman makes a .662 mould, but all I have is a Lee set of handles

They will work when they are the 6 banger size. Normal Lee handles are permanently attached to the single and double moulds.

 

[Rich44]

I am not set up for casting. So I buy them already made from this outfit.
- The Gun Works Muzzleloading Emporium -

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I use a Tanner .683 mold and it fits just perfect as a bare ball load.

 

[Zapadach]

Thanks Rich.
Dang these are not cheap to shoot

They used to be cheap to shoot. I remember buying a bag of .58 caliber mini balls for $ 3.00 for a bag of 25. Powder was $ 7.00 a pound, and you could buy a pretty good factory made muzzleloader for about $ 160.00. Times have changed, and not for the better.

 

[Hermit Tim]

At the risk of sounding Stoopid, what gauge is a .69 smoothbore? Been shooting rifles for thirty years but fairly new to smoothies.

 

[PathfinderNC]

At the risk of sounding Stoopid, what gauge is a .69 smoothbore? Been shooting rifles for thirty years but fairly new to smoothies.

I believe it’s 14 gauge.

 

[IanH]

 

[Hermit Tim]

View attachment 268017

That's purdy nice there.

 

[SDSmlf]

At the risk of sounding Stoopid, what gauge is a .69 smoothbore? Been shooting rifles for thirty years but fairly new to smoothies.

.69” smoothbore is equivalent to 14 gauge.

 

[IanH]

That's purdy nice there.

Thanks. Lotta work but every ball gets caught. Swingers are cut out of old mud flaps so no splattered balls.

 

[William O.]

What roundball size works well for a .69 Smoothbore?
(I may patch or may not.)

Mic your bore first. I just went through trying to find the proper size of RB for my smooth bores and was kinda of shocked at what I found. First, all my guns are considered to be 20 gauge. However, the variances to be a 20 gauge are from .600 through .630. One mic'ed at .601, the other at .611. I sold another that was supposed to be a .58 but was closer to a 20 gauge. If you're shooting shot then none of this matters, but RB is another story.