Which Balls?

[paco97]

I can only find .535 RBs locally for my .54. It seems to me that most guys who post seem to use .530 balls. I know that each rifle is different, but what is a "typical" patch and ball setup for a .54?

 

[biliff]

Don't know what's typical but in my Colerain barrel I normally shoot .530 ball and .015 patch. I've shot .535 with the same patch but its a bear to load and I don't seem to gain any accurracy. Haven't tried a thinner patch as I'm happy with the .530's.

 

[Alberta Black]

I use the same ball and patch combo that Bill uses in my TC New Englander with 100 grn of 2F

 

[Russianblood]

I cast my own .527 round balls and use pillow ticking patches. I was getting burn thru with pre-lubed .015 patches unless I used an overpowder wad.
If you start out with .535 round balls, get some .010 patching to go with them and they should work just fine.

 

[nchawkeye]

Paco...I quit using store bought years[url] ago...In[/url] my custom .54 with a Rayle barrel I use .530 and .015 patches....If you need some .530s let me know and I'll roll a few (dozen) and send them to you...I'll be out of touch for about a week, as my oldest daughter is getting married on the Outer Banks this weekend, and I leave tomorrow...
btw...I am able to load .535s with a .010 patch, but didn't get good groups (the rifling in a Rayle is .012 if I remember right) and I feel that the patch should be deeper than the rifling...I get good hunting accuracy with my setup and can load again without cleaning...

 

[roundball]

Hornady .530 + .018" pillow ticking

 

[Many Klatch]

I have a .526 mold and use .015 patching in my Getz barrel. It has round bottom rifling and is coned at the muzzle. I don't use a short starter other than a slight bump on my powder measure. Spit patch lube is all I ever use. The gun shoots either 55 grains or 75 grains quite happily. I usually shoot the 55 grains at 25 yards.

Many Klatch

 

[Catof9tails]

My .54 likes a Hornady .530 ball and .015 patch. I haven't tried the CVA .530 ball just yet.

Cat9

 

[Sharp Shooter]

.530 ball .015 patch Order them on line.

 

[Gemoke]

I use a 530 rb and 70 grs of 2f with a 15ths patch in my smooth bore.

 

[shmrck1]

paco,
.530 Hornady with .015 cotton patch with
moose snot lube. Get my Hornady R/B from DGW, at
[url] www.dixiegunworks.com[/url]. They run around $14.50 per
hundred plus shipping.I'm sure you can find them
cheaper elsewhere.
Just wondering how your .535's are performing. Or what makes you want to change to the .530.
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

[silverfox]

What have I got? It says .54 on the barrel but even a .530 without a patch won't go in the barrel without a hard rap with a starter. Have to use a .520. Rifle is a cimmarron is this mormal.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[Rebel]

Sounds like you have one of those that was actually .53 cal. You will need a .520 ball most likely.

 

[Java Man]

For your Green Mtn bbl, I would try the .535's and a .015" patch. It with take a good smack on the starter, and then go down fine. Should shoot very accurate with a wide range of powder charges.

I've not had good luck with .010" under bore size balls in GM barrels. But have not tried real thick patches either.

Java man

 

[Bob J]

My .54 Great Plains Rifle prefers a .535 ball with .018 pillow ticking patch. So does my .54 Tennessee Rifle which has a Green Mountain barrel.

 

[paco97]

Okay, I've got some Horady .535 balls and .010, .015 and .020 patches on hand, plus I've ordered Handcast .530 with .018 patches pillow ticking from TOTW. So I should have several combos to test out and see which shoots best.

 

[Snuffy]

Don't those TOTW cast balls have sprues & must be loaded a certain way? I don't care for that. That requires more to remember when loading.

 

[54mountain]

both of my .54s like a .530 rb with a pillow ticking patch. a buddy of mine shoots .535 and has to literaly drive them down the barrel, I just don't like to work that hard. :grin: :grin:

 

[CrackStock]

Gee Snuff, ya just put the sprue up and fire. Not a big deal.

Save a lot of money to cast them yourself over the long haul if you shoot a decent volume.

CS