When I have seen a 3" difference in ball impact at 50 yards with balls that are 3 grains heavy or lighter that the average I consider that significant even for deer hunting purposes. I know that human error comes into play, but I would hate to wound a deer due to a ball that does not shoot to the point of aim.
Weighing (lead) balls
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Human error is exactly what that difference is, it's not because they are 3 grains +/- especially at only 50 yards.
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Way back in the 1960s i weighed round balls. My mentor, who won most of the muzzleloader matches he entered, attempted to convey to me that weighting round balls was a waste of time. i finally figured it out: Yep, it's a waste of time.
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I have weighed my lead balls and two separate brands weighed an average of 226 grains? My question is when I was organizing my B.P. equipment I found a .54 ball 330Diameter ball mould by Thompson/Center that I have had forever and never used? I glanced at the box and it had the weight of the balls as being 230 grains? Which is correct for a pure lead ball, both can't be right?
Ben Meyer
40 Cal
I have two Callahan bag molds.....that I've used exactly once. Bought for the "just because they're cool" factor. The one time I used them, it was over campfire coals using a ladle.
Obviously this ain't the efficient way to cast lots of balls. If I want to start casting my own, what all equipment should I look at buying? Everything, not looking to "cheap out." I'd probably only do a few hundred balls a year.
Obviously this ain't the efficient way to cast lots of balls. If I want to start casting my own, what all equipment should I look at buying? Everything, not looking to "cheap out." I'd probably only do a few hundred balls a year.
Yes, I agree that human error is a factor especially with off hand shooting, but the differences in the point of impact I have seen with light and heavy balls, 3 grains or more from the average, were from bench rested guns that were bedded in sand bags. I conducted the tests to see if there was a difference in balls that were light or heavy to see if weighing was a waste of time. All other factors were kept constant, i.e. patches, lube and powder charge and swabbing between shots. After these tests I came to the conclusion that I should weigh my cast balls and segregate them by weight to determine target and hunting rounds. Since doing the tests, I have become a better caster of balls, and the number of "culls" is down to maybe 3-4 per 100 cast.
I feel that a possible 3" difference at 50 yards is significant when deer hunting, because the human error also comes in to play, so why handicap myself with a load that could possibly shoot off the point of aim even when I do my part to take and make a good killing shot. To each his own, but I want to take out as many "miss or wound" variables as possible.
I shoot 200 yards with balls that are +/- 3 grains. If you think that shows up at 50 yards. You're sadly mistaken, or you've got the pickiest rifle ever produced.
Dont think rusticbob himself quite knows what hes talking about. But it's ok, I've done the weighing thing myself.
Plain silly thinking +/- grains is going to show up at 50 yards! Especially a 3 incher. Sounds more like a shooter issue or the world's pickiest gun.
At what? A 36" gong?
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QUOTE="necchi, post: 2096298, member: 13842"]
At what? A 36" gong?
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Paper target. I knew my ballistics and luckily at the nra Whittington center, they offer large target backers which allowed me to post a target at the very top, and let it drop down into a clean section of the target. During our long range shoot at winter rendezvous, I was the first to hit out gong at just under 200 yards on the first shot. Unweighed balls to boot.
QUOTE="necchi, post: 2096298, member: 13842"]
At what? A 36" gong?
[/QUOTE]
Paper target. I knew my ballistics and luckily at the nra Whittington center, they offer large target backers which allowed me to post a target at the very top, and let it drop down into a clean section of the target. During our long range shoot at winter rendezvous, I was the first to hit out gong at just under 200 yards on the first shot. Unweighed balls to boot.
Some serious shooters here. Wish my ability with a six gun justified such scrutiny or even shooting a rifle off the bench for that matter.
Modern rifles pushing the limits, maybe. But then again way out side this nimrods expertise.
Modern rifles pushing the limits, maybe. But then again way out side this nimrods expertise.
Lots of practice over the years! I like to be good out to at least 150 during hunting season.
I shoot twice a week. Don’t think weighing my balls are going to improve on these groups.
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Rudall
40 Cal
From five yards?
It seems my post really riled some of you. Sorry about that. I'm sticking with weighing my cast balls cause I have proven to myself that it makes a difference and that is all that matters to me. I just offered my views and experience on the topic for what it is worth to the OP. To each his own.
Rudall
40 Cal
Why not weigh them? It only takes a second or two.
No sir 15. But hey cut me some slack, 81 come August and those sights aren’t exactly intended for bullseye shooting. I’m point shooting as much as aiming.
Don't fret, go back and re-read post #4 of this thread.
Nay-sayers pounce on threads like this,, and have for years.
Then there's folks like you and I. They have simply proved it to themselves that it does make a difference.
Rudall
40 Cal
Just kidding you. People often post targets here with no mention of the distance.No sir 15. But hey cut me some slack, 81 come August and those sights aren’t exactly intended for bullseye shooting. I’m point shooting as much as aiming.
bisleyjohn
Pilgrim
Seems to me that, if weighing your balls makes you perform better. - whack ‘em on the scales!
