What size roundball for a 56 smoothbore

[steeltrap]

Hello Guy's I'M brand new to this forum, As a matter of fact this is My first post. Anyhow I see there are other folks out there with a 56 cal smoothbore. I just got a 56 barrel for a renegade I already had and worked up a shot load that I hope will bring down a few squirrels this fall. But I am also interested to see how it shoots a Patched roundball. I sent and got some .550 hand poured roundballs. As was recemended By T/C website. But there way too tight to go down with a patch. I measured them and the actually run from about .553 to .556 and the barrel measures in at right at .560. In My looking arround the next size roundball I can find is .535 Since there is no rifeling to use up any patch space how do Ya'all think or have some hands on experence with what patch ta use. THANKS for Yer help .... :grin: FROM Animal Damage Control Trapper

 

[Rebel]

Try the .535's and a thicker patch. Some of the guys have had good luck with them.

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

I shot .535 balls with a bluejean patch in mine, 90ffG as I recall. Shot like a rifle out to 50 yards, with 1 1/4" groups. Loaded pretty tight, but it would sure shoot!

 

[walruskid1]

try using the search feature for .56 renegade. i know there is a lot of good info here. when i got mine i needed a push in the right direction.

 

[roundball]

.550's are recommended in TC's manual...

 

[steeltrap]

WOW thanks walruskid1. since I'M new to the forum I had not tryed it's search feature yet. WOW a ton of good info as you said. THANKS AGAIN ADC Trapper

 

[walruskid1]

your most welcome. .550 ball and a .010 to .015 patch does shoot quite well. your results may vary but experimentation is part of the challenge and fun.

 

[FishDFly]

T/C recommends .550 balls, but I kind of wonder about their recommnedation.

I tried .550 and had great difficulty with the short starter in getting them started, I used a .015 teflon patch. I used a solid brass ramrod to seat the balls which took considerable effort, read too much effort.

I ordered some .010 oiled pathces and near the same effort in starting the ball and seating the ball.

I am now working with .535 balls and various patch thicknesses. At this point I am happier with .535 balls, time will tell.

RDE

 

[Wes/Tex]

Also try a bare ball with an over-shot card on top to hold it in place. Some smoothies do well with unpatched balls, you never know how a gun will behave until you give it a try.

 

[steeltrap]

THANKS to all that replyed to help Me. I figgure on trying most of the help. I'M having a"ball" NO PUN INTENDED shooting black powder again. I did some blackpowder shooting 20 years ago. But was not real happy with My gun. I later learned I had not done My homework properly and It didn't have the best rate of twist to shoot a patched roundball to suit Me. Then a Friend turned Me on to a G M barrel with a 1 in 70 twist. And that thing shoots GREAT with patched Round ball. Witch is all I care about shooting with real black powder pushing them along. Then I got the TC 56 smoothbore for shooting a shot load for squirrel Hunting this fall. And have been having a BLAST there I go again. evere since. I'M headed for Friendship in the morning to shoot a little there. THANKS AGAIN for the help. ADC Trapper

 

[steeltrap]

Hello Guy's and Gal's Well I just got back from the spring shoot at Friendship. And found some .543 roundballs at the shoot. although the only measure in at .540 acording to My calipers. Anyhow I got those and ordered a lee .535 roundball mould from totw that should be here in a day or two. I also got some thicker patches coming. So looking forward to some range time. I also orders a GM 32 cal. drop in barrel from GM for My renegade. So i've got plenty of fun work ahead. ADC Trapper :grin:

 

[Slamfire]

I'd try a .550 ball with a 28 gauge cushion wad between the powder and ball and a 9/16" card on top of the ball. :v

 

[taylorh]

You have discovered what most of us renegade 56 owners have already found out... that the bore diameter is very close to .550. I can only roll down a .550 ball with no patch. So I use, very effectively, the .535 ball with a .18 patch. Very tight and very accurate.
Taylor in Texas

 

[steeltrap]

My Lee .535 roundball mould got here today. Along with a .311 roundball for the 32 cal GM barrel. So with a little luck I should have some fun at the range real soon. THANKS for the .018 patch info. Thats will help a bunch. I also got in some .20 patches today that I ordered because I wasen't sure. I had some .018's that I normally use with My 50 cal barrel. So I will see what Mine likes. THANKS Texan. ADC Trapper