Suggestions for shooting .54cal PRB

[Eric M]

What size patch and round ball would you recommend for a .54cal with a 1:48 twist barrell?

 

[BrownBear]

There about four schools of thought on this, and I bet I'm not thinking of them all.

First is the difference between "range" accuracy and "hunting" accuracy. Guys on the range sometimes run their patch/ball combo so tight they need a hammer to start the ball. A guy in the field wants something loose enough to start with a short starter and no hammer. That's two schools of thought.

Then there are guys who prefer thinner patches and larger diameter balls, and the guys who like slightly smaller balls and thicker patches. That's two more schools of thought.

Confused yet? I sure am! :grin:

I'm in the hunter/thick patch schools, so I prefer .530 balls and either .015 or .018 patches. In all my 54's that ball and one patch or the other is easy enough to seat for field use, but accurate enough to keep me really entertained.

Other guys will like .535 balls and thinner patches like .010 or .012, and some range shooters even like .018 patches with a .535 ball. That .535/.018 combo is hammer country in my guns, but I might take more interest if I was shooting competitively.

Best thing is to size up how you plan to use your gun and then try a few patch/ball combos. Each gun is going to have its own preferences, and the only way to really find out is to try a few different combos.

Just so you know, the original Hawkens were 1:48 twist and earned quite a rep for accuracy. There's lots of balderdash around about twist rate and round balls. Probably the significant difference between the originals and contemporary factory guns is the depth of the rifling. The shallow rifling on many new ones needs a little tighter patch to achieve their best accuracy.

Have a ball testing this stuff, and let us know how things turn out. If you can list what make of gun you're shooting, you're likely to get some real specific recommendations that work for folks with the same models.

 

[Eric M]

Well thank you for all that info. I am the guy who will be hunting with the gun and more interested in that field. I have heard a few of those theories you provided but not all. Great information.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Every barrel is different to some degree, but as an example. I use a .530 ball and .015 patch on my .54 Renegade. It's a nice firm fit, and perfect for hunting.

 

[Eric M]

That is the same gun I plan on hunting with. Do you use T/C patches or another company? What do you use to lubricate the patch as well?

 

[roundball]

What size patch and round ball would you recommend for a .54cal with a 1:48 twist barrell?

.530" balls & .018" patches are what I used in my TC 1:48"s

 

[Pete Gaimari]

That is the same gun I plan on hunting with. Do you use T/C patches or another company? What do you use to lubricate the patch as well?

When I bought the gun it came with a kit from the previous owner. It had some of the TC patches. I assume they have Bore Butter for lube. They actually work fine, but blew out (holes) with heavier loads.

I use strips of material bought from TOW, and cut at the muzzle for patches. I lube the material with Mink Oil bought for TOW also.

The only reason I cut at the muzzle is I have a hard time lining up precut patches. I use the Mink Oil, because it's a natural tallow, and stays soft in real cold weather. Plus it's something that might have been used back in the era i'm creating.

The TC patches I used might have been old, so try them and see if you like them.

 

[Eric M]

After reading a few other posts about different types of lubes I might try something other than T/C's lube. I hunt in NJ where it can get considerably cold at times and would like to prevent the lube from freezing.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Well, give the Mink Oil a try. It's less than $6 for a big tin that should last me for a long time.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Cate...?catId=2&subId=25&styleId=67&partNum=MINK-OIL

 

[hoochiepapa]

I use .535 balls and .014 patches, lubed with mink oil from Track of the Wolf. Doesn't freeze.
It gets cold in CO. :thumbsup:

 

[rabjr]

What size patch and round ball would you recommend for a .54cal with a 1:48 twist barrell?

.530" balls & .018" patches are what I used in my TC 1:48"s

Yup :thumbsup:

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Since we have the same gun. I can't get a patch larger than a .015 down it with a .530 ball. Even the pillow ticking .018 won't go.

A .535 will go with a .010 patch, but then the thin patch is too fragile for my loads.

I think you'll be happy with a .530 ball and .015 patch.

 

[Eric M]

Thanks I will give it a try.

 

[majg1234]

Just to confuse things how about a .530 ball .010 ticking patch and wool felt wad greased with olive oil and beeswax varied in composition based on temp you'll be using it in

 

[Eric M]

I've never used a wad while shooting PRB. What are the pro's and con's of doing so compared to without?

 

[roundball]

.015" will work but tighter PRB combos using .018"-.020" patches will be more accurate...they usually require that you use a short starter.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

.015" will work but tighter PRB combos using .018"-.020" patches will be more accurate...they usually require that you use a short starter.

And a hammer. :grin:

 

[buttonbuck]

.018 pillow ticking any lube which will give you consistency of lubrication on your patch. The Dutch Shoultz method gives you some good advise...I am ordering Ballistol but have used moose snot etc.....I use a cast and weighed round ball .530 and goex 3f 70 grains or 80 if I use 2f. This is comfortable enough to shoot and gives good hunting accuracy. Your Results may vary. in your tc renegade but this is what goes on in mine. In practical terms there isn't much variation at 50 yards for this off a bench now when you get the groups then practice off hand.

 

[roundball]

If anybody "needs a hammer" to start a .010" underbore size ball and an .018" patch they need to start eating their wheaties or join a gym... .015"s thumb start and .018"s just take a light open palm smack on a short starter.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

If anybody "needs a hammer" to start a .010" underbore size ball and an .018" patch they need to start eating their wheaties or join a gym... .015"s thumb start and .018"s just take a light open palm smack on a short starter.

That's what I figured too, but when I tried an .018 pillow ticking patch. I almost got it stuck half way down. I'm sure I beat up the ball getting it all the way down.
A .015 patch is as big as I dare go now, and it's pretty tight.