Suggested Mold size for .662 smoothbore?

[jbridgs]

Hi all,

Just picked up a smoothbore musket with a bore size of .662" and I am looking for suggestions for what size ball I should use. I plan on patching the ball with a lubed cotton patch which I think are around 0.01", and the musket will be used at the local shooting range for casual shooting.

I was thinking about a .65" or .64" sized mold, is this a good size, or should I look at .62"?

thanks for your advice.

 

[Treestalker]

With a patch, I'd try to stay around .02 or so under bore size, although I understand the oldtimers would go smaller. With a wad of tow over powder and over ball, I'd go up to .05 under or so and see how it shoots. I have a handgonne in .625 and a mould in .575. Patches up good but I'm not expecting miracles, either. Have not tried for a group yet, and have not tried tow yet. In your gun I'd try .64 if I had it. If not..65 may be OK, or a little smaller. Tree.

 

[Grenadier1758]

As a starting point, I like a ball about 0.020 less than bore diameter. In your case, that would be a 0.640" ball. As a patch, 0.020" would be fairly tight while you should be able to easily start if you patch with 0.015" patching. Use a patch lube of your choice. A starting load of 70 grains volume 2fg black powder and you can start to enjoy your smoothbore.

Remember your eye is your rear sight, so a consistent anchor of your cheek to the stock is the key to shot placement.

 

[jbridgs]

thanks both of you for your advice! time to purchase a mold