What should I expect?

[Skychief]

Cast some ball for my fowler today from a new mould. To this point I'd used a friend's which dropped balls .603-.605" in diameter.

The new mould dropped balls that are .595-.597".

I'm a little concerned that all my work with load development, sight picture, and trajectory may be "out the window" with these smaller balls.

Is my concern justified, or will I notice little difference in accuracy, point of impact, and trajectory with these smaller balls if I keep the rest of my favored load the same?

Rubbing my chin next the melting pot. :hmm:

Best regards, Skychief

 

[stubshaft]

I have had issues with accuracy with balls being just .002" different in my 1816 Harper Ferry, and have had balls .008" undersize shoot exactly the same in my 16 bore. Each smoothie is an entity unto itself.

 

[tenngun]

I’ve never miched any ball I’ve made, I have a .595, and a .600, I’ve not noticed any substantial difference out to 50 yards.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Worry after you check them on paper.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Only one way to find out :hatsoff:

 

[Skychief]

Well I reckon a man has to do what a man has to do!! :haha:

I may look for a squirrel this evening. Be a good excuse to fire a few of these new balls. :thumbsup:

Will report in if this takes place.

Best regards, Skychief :hatsoff:

 

[rich pierce]

After you try it for accuracy, it is possible to lap a mold to increase ball size a couple thou. Cast a ball, drill into the sprue, then screw a woodscew into it. Cut the head off the woodscrew and chuck the woodscrew with the ball hanging down, into the drill press. Put valve grinding compound on it, get it spinning, and squeeze your mold blocks on it. Lap it till it spins freely. Measure the diameter to see if it’s bigger, and how much bigger. Cast another ball and repeat. You will definitely find this will even up and smooth up your mold, at the very least.

 

[Skychief]

Reporting in as promised......

I grabbed my hunting bag and fowler, as well as four of the newly moulded balls. I fired the balls before aborting the squirrel hunt. Other plans came up :shake: .

I had a three inch bullseye target pinned to a cut log thirty yards distant, leftover from an outing with my 58 caliber. First shot, rested, was a ten-X!

Next was my poor gong at sixty yards. I splattered it near center with the next two balls.

The fourth shot hit an inch below the first on the 30 yard bullseye.

I was relieved that these 10/1000" smaller balls, for all intents and purposes, performed like the larger spheres I've used until now.

I've written glowing reports of the smoothbore's "unfussyness" recently. This evening's mini-shoot hammered the point home. Again.

My earlier concern...Much ado over nuthin! :haha:

Color me "sold" where flintlock smoothbores are concerned.

After cleaning her up with straight water, and drying her out well, I applied some of Spence's beeswax/lard recipe to the bore and the outside metal and wood. She will be good and protected like the old boys did it until her next outing. Maybe in a few short hours :thumbsup: .

If the joy of these "old" guns and the old ways of taking care of them continues to grow with me, I may be in buckskins with a shaggy beard down to my waist before it's over.

I'm lovin' it!!!

Best regards, Skychief.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Reporting in as promised......

I grabbed my hunting bag and fowler, as well as four of the newly moulded balls. I fired the balls before aborting the squirrel hunt. Other plans came up :shake: .

I had a three inch bullseye target pinned to a cut log thirty yards distant, leftover from an outing with my 58 caliber. First shot, rested, was a ten-X!

Next was my poor gong at sixty yards. I splattered it near center with the next two balls.

The fourth shot hit an inch below the first on the 30 yard bullseye.

I was relieved that these 10/1000" smaller balls, for all intents and purposes, performed like the larger spheres I've used until now.

I've written glowing reports of the smoothbore's "unfussyness" recently. This evening's mini-shoot hammered the point home. Again.

My earlier concern...Much ado over nuthin! :haha:

Color me "sold" where flintlock smoothbores are concerned.

After cleaning her up with straight water, and drying her out well, I applied some of Spence's beeswax/lard recipe to the bore and the outside metal and wood. She will be good and protected like the old boys did it until her next outing. Maybe in a few short hours :thumbsup: .

If the joy of these "old" guns and the old ways of taking care of them continues to grow with me, I may be in buckskins with a shaggy beard down to my waist before it's over.

I'm lovin' it!!!

Best regards, Skychief.

:haha: good on ya :hatsoff:

 

[Eterry]

Skychief, I'm glad the smoothie isn't as fussy as some .

But....if you ever want to try to shim the mold a few thousands its easily done with some receipt paper (or other smooth thin paper) and some lube.


Lee Precision's website under the FAQ's has info on the process, I understand its referred to as Beagleing if you google it.


When I got my 58 musket I borrowed a Minie mold in .577 and they shot pretty good, but my .575 minie wouldn't hit a dinner plate. I shimmed the .575 mold, it now drops a .5775 minie, and I get 3 MOA from it.


Free advice is worth what it cost you..lol.

Good shooting.

 

[chuck-ia]

Just curious, is this a bare ball or patched? How much powder, what grain of powder? flinch

 

[Juice Jaws]

Smooth bore, shooting off hand, I would not think you could see any change. But make it easy, shoot paper and find out.

 

[Skychief]

Just curious, is this a bare ball or patched? How much powder, what grain of powder? flinch

Patched ball with 80 grains of Goex 2f.

Best regards, Skychief.

 

[chuck-ia]

Thanks, flinch

 

[Skychief]

:thumbsup:

 

[hanshi]

One sure can't judge what a smoothbore will do with ball until it's tried out. I've tried .590" ball with a thicker patch and they did group fairly well, just far from the center of the target. The bore is tight, anyway, so I've come full circle and use .600" ball with a thinner patch. Good luck.