Swagged vs. Cast RB's in Revolvers

[jdixon]

I have shot both swagged and cast balls out of rifles. I really have not noticed enough difference between the two in accruacy to justify the added cost of the swagged stuff. Have not tried cast balls in any of my pistols (or at least not since I have gotten into serious target shooting with them). How do the cast balls compared with swagged in accuracy in a standard cap and ball pistol?

 

[crockett]

The argument is that the swaged won't have any air pockets while the cast MAY have air pockets so either is equally accurate unless the cast has an air pocket.
I recently used some swaged balls to make lead rivets for a rawhide sheath and guess what- found an air pocket in a swaged ball. Still, the swaged is probably the better choice if for no other reason than a confidence builder.

 

[jdixon]

Yeah, have heard that. There is a guy here locally that will not go to a competition shoot without weighing all of the swaged balls he plans on shooting, just to try to weed out those with air pockets. My interest was the effect of the shorter barrel, tighter twist on the projectiles with the spur. My suspicion is that loading them spur down would negate any effect and they would shoot as well as a swaged ball. Just looking for confirmation of my suspicion.

 

[mec]

should be the same or even less significant difference in revolvers. I can't tell a difference in quality cast or swaged balls. I do find it irritating when the warren Ozark and Hornady balls come in different sizes and are out of round. My own cast balls and those from dixie as well as the swaged ones from speer are equal so far as I can tell.

 

[WV_Hillbilly]

How do the cast balls compared with swagged in accuracy in a standard cap and ball pistol?

I have shot both types and could not see any significant differences. I suppose you could figure that with cast balls, at least you can make sure that the sprue is always pointing the same direction (typically centered toward the muzzle), which does keep cast balls shooting consistently.

Most of the time it depends more on which type costs less, and whether or not I have the extra time to be able to cast up my own.

Oh BTW, be careful walking through high brush with a loaded cap-n-ball revolver in your hand. It's not that difficult to get tangled up with a branch, (or something) catching that hammer spur and cocking the gun, while you are trying to keep from getting yourself torn to shreds by the nasty pointy thorny stuff... you don't need an unexpected (or accidental) discharge to ruin your day as well.

Regards, and shoot safely,
WV_Hillbilly

 

[Zonie]

If I'm shooting off-hand, the little (if any) difference between swaged and cast balls is the least of my worrys. :grin: :rotf:

I don't think the average shooter will ever notice a difference.

Zonie

 

[torn moc]

I have never seen any difference between swagged or cast in any of my rifles or pistols.....
so I dont spend the xtra cash on store bought anymore. I spend alot of time casting....
I find it kinda relaxing infact....