UPDATED Range Report: Solid Rubber Balls in .40cal

[roundball]

Recently I posted a range report about the outstanding results I got from testing .410" molded, solid, no-bounce rubber balls in my .40cal GM Flint barrel, 30grns Goex 3F, and .015" patch at 25 yards.

As an update, I tested them today at 50 yards using aim point stickers on 9" paper plates, with 40 and 50 grns Goex 3F...5 shots with each powder charge and never even hit the paper plate.

At an extremely light 15grns weight, the small rubber balls must be "flying" off by the time they get to longer distance in spite of really sending them off like a rocket. Dropped back to 25 yards and they started filling in the aim point sticker.

These .410 rubber balls are an excellent low cost alternative to lead balls for informal practicing at 25yds or less with a .40cal rifle...so if lead should ever become unaffordable, unavailable, or banned in the future, at least there is this option for practice.

 

[renovato]

Given the range limitations, I bet those would be ideal for inexpensive pistol practice. Have you tried them in a handgun yet?

 

[roundball]

Given the range limitations, I bet those would be ideal for inexpensive pistol practice. Have you tried them in a handgun yet?

I agree...good indoor plinker in the basement, garage, etc...probably only need the force of the primer a .40 or .41cal case. (I don't have anything in between .357 and .45cal)

 

[J.D.]

Have you tried reducing the powder charge to see if there is any effect at longer ranges, 40-50 yards.

I would think that 10-20gr of powder would more than enough for such a light projectile.

 

[roundball]

No, didn't try anything that low...will try to remember that the next time I take the .40 to the range...

 

[Grizzled Roberts]

Roundball, do you patch the balls or just swage them into the barrel?
I live in NC also, where do you get these no bounce rubber balls?

:thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

Yes, I use a .015" prelubed patch in my GM .40


Here's the website:
http://www.nles.com/store/customer...e=froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=froogle

 

[roundball]

FYI...proceeding right along...I just got confirmation of a 30% discount if I bundle orders into quantities of 1000s...that gets the price down really low...if anybody wants to experiment with any for their .40cal, let me know and I'll be glad to coordinate...minimum order is a bag of 500 that should now cost about $20/bag instead of $30, plus shipping divided up across total number of bags, then on to you.
http://www.nles.com/store/catalog/Real_Action_Marker_43_Cal_Rubber_Balls_500_count-p-1994.html